The Undertones - True Confessions (Singles=A's+B's)

True Confessions: Singles = A's + B's is a comprehensive, definitive compilation album by Northern Irish punk-pop and new wave pioneers The Undertones, originally released in 1999 by Essential/Castle Music. Spanning the band’s peak years from 1978 to 1983, the 2-CD anthology uniquely pairs every official 7-inch A-side directly with its respective B-side(s) in strict chronological order. This meticulous sequence lets listeners trace the band's brilliant sonic evolution from the raw, energetic, three-chord teenage punk of their iconic debut "Teenage Kicks" through to the sophisticated, horn-and-synth-infused guitar pop of their later career.

The collection features all of the group's major UK chart hits, including their highest-charting anthem "My Perfect Cousin", "Jimmy Jimmy", and "Wednesday Week", alongside a wealth of deep cuts, fan-favourite B-sides, and spirited cover tracks like "Let's Talk About Girls". While the original 1999 pressings utilized standard album masters for several songs, a notable 2011 remastered reissue via Salvo/Union Square Music corrected these choices by restoring the rarer, authentic single edits and alternative mixes. Serving as both an excellent introduction for newcomers and an essential archive for completionists, it captures the full breadth of why DJ John Peel famously championed the Derry quintet as one of the most vital bands of their generation.

The Undertones - The Sin Of Pride

The Sin of Pride is the fourth and final studio album by the original line-up of Northern Irish pop-punk pioneers The Undertones, released on 13 March 1983. Moving sharply away from the raw, guitar-driven punk rock of their 1979 debut, this record represented a massive creative shift toward 1960s soul, Motown, R&B, and synth-pop. Produced alongside Mike Hedges, the album featured prominent brass arrangements, funk rhythms, and cover songs from classic soul artists like Smokey Robinson and Isley Brothers collaborator Leon Ware. Despite singer Feargal Sharkey publicly praising it as the band's finest work, the radical genre shift alienated much of their core punk audience.

Commercially, the album was a major disappointment, peaking at a lowly number 43 on the UK Albums Chart, while its singles—including "The Love Parade" and "Got to Have You Back"—struggled to make an impact. The severe lack of commercial success, combined with growing creative friction and internal tensions over the band's musical direction, ultimately proved fatal. Just four months after the album's release, The Undertones announced their disbandment following a final performance at the Punchestown Festival in July 1983, bringing a definitive end to their classic era.

The Undertones - Positive Touch

Positive Touch is the third studio album by Northern Irish punk-pop and new wave band The Undertones, released on 5 May 1981 through Ardeck Records. Recorded at Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands, it marked the final collaboration between the band and producer Roger Bechirian. The album represented a deliberate, creative departure from the fast, aggressive guitar-pop formula of their self-titled debut and Hypnotised. Instead, the band embraced a more complex, softer musical palette, integrating pianos, brass arrangements, xylophones, recorders, and folk-infused textures into their songwriting.

Despite the shift away from their signature sound, the album achieved commercial success, peaking at number 17 on the UK Albums Chart. It spawned two notable singles: the politically conscious "It's Going to Happen!", which reached number 18 on the UK Singles Chart and was famously performed on Top of the Pops with guitarist Damian O'Neill wearing a black armband to protest the 1981 Irish hunger strikes, and the atmospheric "Julie Ocean," which reached number 41. Music critics widely praised the record for its sonic maturity, though the underlying creative friction regarding this new musical direction ultimately contributed to the band's initial disbandment two years later.

The Undertones - Hypnotised

Hypnotised expands upon The Undertones’ masterful 1980 sophomore release. It adds a robust selection of rare studio tracks and live broadcast performances to the original 15-song tracklist. Alongside the definitive studio cut of the iconic hit "My Perfect Cousin", listeners get alternative takes and non-album treasures like "Hard Luck (Again)" and "Told You So". These additions offer a fascinating peek into the band's creative workflow at the absolute height of their power.
This definitive package is anchored by three raw, energetic recordings taken directly from an Eden Studio Session for John Peel on 16 November 1980. These tracks beautifully capture the band's authentic live synergy and signature Derry charm. Complemented by a beautifully designed, comprehensive 20-page booklet housed inside a sleek slipcase box, this specific Union Square Music / Salvo reissue serves as both an essential archive for die-hard fans and a perfect point of entry for newcomers exploring classic pop-punk history.

The Undertones - The Undertones

The Undertones stands as the definitive and most widely recognized version of the Northern Irish band's landmark debut album. While the original May release omitted their early singles to provide fresh material for fans, intense pressure from Sire Records led to this swift, commercially optimized repackaging just five months later. The reissue fundamentally transformed the album's dynamic by inserting the band's iconic debut anthem, "Teenage Kicks", alongside their second hit single, "Get Over You". To accommodate these essential additions, the tracks "Casbah Rock" and "Smarter Than You" were removed, resulting in an altered running order that amplified the album's commercial appeal and solidified its status as a timeless pop-punk masterpiece.

Beyond the altered tracklist, the reissue is instantly recognizable by its drastic visual overhaul, trading the stark, monochrome aesthetic of the original pressing for a vibrant, full-colour cover. This updated sleeve featured a casual, bright photograph of the band members—Feargal Sharkey, John O'Neill, Damian O'Neill, Michael Bradley, and Billy Doherty—perched on a wall in their hometown of Derry, perfectly matching the youthful, unpretentious energy of the music inside. Driven by the inclusion of "Teenage Kicks", which had been heavily championed on BBC Radio 1 by DJ John Peel, this version of the record successfully bridged the gap between raw garage-punk aggression and undeniable power-pop hooks. It cemented the band's legacy in the UK music scene and remains the blueprint for all modern pressings and retrospective reviews of the album.

Gang Of Four - Damaged Goods & The Undertones - Get Over You

Still here, lurking on the downlow since originally posted three planetary revolutions ago. Re-presented again because both singles are brilliant in their own way and should be listened to frequently over and over again.

Gang Of Four - Damaged Goods 7''EP MP3

A.     Damaged Goods

B1.  Love Like Anthrax

B2.  Armalite Rifle

                             

The Undertones - Get Over You 7'' MP3

A.     Get Over You

B1.  Really Really

B2.  She Can Only Say No