Buy (album)

Buy
Studio album by James Chance and the Contortions
Released 1979
Recorded 1978
Genre No wave[1]
Length 30:08
39:47 (Bonus tracks)
Label ZE
Producer James Chance
James Chance and the Contortions chronology
Buy
(1979)
Off White
(1979)

Buy is the debut studio album by American no wave band James Chance and the Contortions. It was released in 1979 through ZE Records.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[2]
Record Collector[3]
Uncut8/10[4]
The Village VoiceB+[5]

All About Jazz critic Trevor MacLaren wrote: "Through the anger and aggression Chance made a solid record that had a sound like nothing before or since," describing the album as "a great disc that sounds as original and cutting edge as when it was released."[6] Dean McFarlane of AllMusic stated: "His hybrid of free jazz sax blowing and agitated funk takes the contortions up a notch from the four tracks the band contributed to the Eno-produced No New York compilation."[1] Music critic Robert Christgau stated: "in theory James White's music is better without the words: you get the jagged rhythms and tonic off-harmonies without being distracted by his 'ideas,’” but added that “in fact the music is so (deliberately) stunted it needs a voice for sonic muscle, and James's lyrics do have a certain petty honesty and jerk-off humor."[5]

Track listing

All tracks written by James Chance.

No.TitleLength
1."Design to Kill"2:48
2."My Infatuation"2:21
3."I Don't Want to Be Happy"3:23
4."Anesthetic"3:54
5."Contort Yourself"4:25
6."Throw Me Away"2:45
7."Roving Eye"3:10
8."Twice Removed"3:05
9."Bedroom Athlete"4:17
Bonus tracks recorded at CBGB's, Spring 1978
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
10."Throw Me Away" (Live) 3:04
11."Twice Removed" (Live) 3:12
12."Jailhouse Rock" (Live)Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller3:23

Personnel

References

  1. 1 2 3 McFarlane, Dean. "Buy – James Chance & The Contortions". AllMusic. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  2. Flaherty, Michael (February 3, 1995). "The latest in reissues". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  3. Peacock, Tim (May 2016). "James Chance & The Contortions, James White & The Blacks – James Chance & The Contortions 'Buy', James White & The Blacks 'Off White'". Record Collector (453). Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  4. Pinnock, Tom (May 2016). "James Chance & the Contortions: Buy / James Chance and the Blacks: Off White". Uncut (228): 89.
  5. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (February 25, 1980). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  6. McLaren, Trevor (February 17, 2005). "James Chance and the Contortions: Buy". All About Jazz. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
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