Capital Letters: The Best of Ruefrex

Capital Letters: The Best of Ruefrex Artist: Ruefrex
Label: Cherry Red UK
Category: Music


Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Format: Import
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1
EAN: 5013929129023
ASIN: B000BAVXCS


Release Date: 2005-10-20

Capital Letters: The Best of Ruefrex


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Categories | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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Categories | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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Tracks:

  1. One by One
  2. Don't Panic
  3. Capital Letters
  4. April Fool
  5. Perfect Crime
  6. Wild Colonial Boy, Pt. 1
  7. Correct Your Fireside Manner
  8. Even in the Dark Hours
  9. Paid in Kind
  10. By the Shadowline
  11. Wild Colonial Boy
  12. In the Traps
  13. Flowers for All Occasions
  14. Lenders of the Last Resort
  15. Days of Heaven
  16. Playing Adult Games
  17. Fightin' 36th
  18. Between Having and Wanting
  19. Playing Cards with Dead Men
  20. Middle-Ground

Album Description

Ruefrex were one of Northern Ireland's most popular, uncompromising and successful punk bands. Over a turbulent decade-long career, the band were attacked by both Protestant and Catholic communities for their refusal to accept sectarian divisions. They also recorded some of the most powerful, lyrically potent music of the era, from their debut on legendary Good Vibrations label to Indie chart hits with the classic Capital Letters and Paid In Kind. This new release features all these classic tracks on CD for the first time, plus previously unreleased material, a full set of lyrics and memorabilia and in-depth sleevenotes written in collaboration with the band. Cherry Red. 2005.

Album Details

Ruefrex were One of Northern Ireland's Most Popular, Uncompromising and Successful Punk Bands. Over a Turbulent Decade-long Career the Band were Attacked by Both Protestant and Catholic Communities for their Refusal to Accept Sectarian Divisions. They also Recorded Some of the Most Powerful, Lyrically Potent Music of the Era, from their Debut on Terri Hooley's Legendary Good Vibrations Label to Indie Chart Hits with the Classic 'capital Letters' and 'paid in Kind'. This Release features all These Classic Tracks on CD for the First Time, plus Previously Unreleased Material, a Full Set of Lyrics and Memorabilia and In-depth Sleevenotes Written in Collaboration with the Band.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Another Sizzler from Cherry Red.......2007-04-20

I bought a terrific single by these sometime in the mid-eighties, `Paid in Kind' it was called and I remember being hugely enamored with it. Proper, honest punk rock, telling the heart-breaking story of two young boys who were killed by a lone gunman, who was lying in wait for some British soldiers on the desperate streets of Belfast during the troubles.
I suppose I'd always thought Northern Ireland and it's horrors were no place for oh-so-caring and earnest `rock' people to be sticking their noses in, but you grudgingly understand why they did. The politicians on both sides of the divide didn't seem at all interested in a solution, and those in London had scandalously betrayed the people of Ulster for decades.
I've always been deeply suspicious of `personalities' getting involved in anything like this (I mention no names, I don't want my review pulled as soon as it appears.), it always struck me there was just as much arrogance and self-promotion involved, as there was genuine concern. After all, when these so-called `stars' had graced the province in a publicity frenzy, and made their humble and worthy pronouncements, into their private jets they'd scurry, leaving behind an understandably disgruntled populace wondering what all the fuss was about, and getting back to their lives.
As far as I could see, the subject was best left to the only people who really understood it. Those who lived there.
Those who lived with soldiers in their streets, and the constant fear of the sound of a car pulling up outside their door, late at night. Working class people who strived only for `normality' for them and their families.
Those who were forced to listen to the tired lies of politicians, and the constant attacks on their community by a ruthless and inflammatory media. Ordinary people. Like us.
Like Ruefrex in fact.
I'd not heard much since that sensational single all those years ago, til I chanced on this magnificent compilation. 20 rip-roaring punk rock songs, with the frighteningly simple(but absolutely deadly!) combination of intelligent words coupled with good tunes. Simple but SO elusive(see the current charts for proof).
A fair amount of this album is concerned with the troubles, but not in a senseless ranting way. There is anger, as you'd expect, but it never overcomes the music, never dilutes the eloquent, truthful message. Musically it's somewhere between the Clash and the Undertones, and can easily live with the best of both, but it's the words that give these songs true class.
Often near-the-knuckle, always pointed and coherent, on more than one occasion I had to check the lyric sheet to make sure I'd heard correctly, such was the frequency of the positive effect.
I would say(and this is no extravagant stab at controversy), that some of this stuff would stand up next to the very best of Van Morrison. Check out `Flowers For All Occasions' or "Days of Heaven" in
particular, though there are many others.
They know their history as well, and this must've wound people up. Oiks from the estate writing songs like `Playing Cards With Dead Men' and `Wild Colonial Boy', this music can't be dismissed with any ease at all. Uncomfortable for those with a vested interest in violence and it's escalation.
Ruefrex wrote from deep within themselves, and weren't frightened of what they saw. Looking at the stick they often got from both sides, others obviously were.
They preached unity, dignity and staying positive, while at the same time delivering aural 10-hole DM's to many much-deserving groins. Fierce, vital and unafraid, and if the politics don't float your boat, you can concentrate on the passionate vocal delivery, the thumping rhythm section and the SUPERB fiery punk guitar.
T'internet is awash with `lost' groups, that are `ripe for re-discovery'. Here's one of the miniscule number that genuinely are.

Music Album:

  1. In the Land of Salvation & Sin ~ The Georgia Satellites
  2. Frozen in Amber ~ Amber Asylum
  3. Taxi ~ Bryan Ferry
  4. The Nail, Vol. 2 ~ Various Artists
  5. Regeneration ~ Ascension Theory
  6. Black Skies in Broad Daylight ~ The Living Things
  7. Bailamos
  8. Feel the Peel ~ Deep Banana Blackout
  9. Life Class ~ Robin Scott
  10. Live in Osaka ~ John Wetton

Music Album

Music Album

Music CD

Pieces of a Man ~ Gil Scott-Heron

Appassionato ~ Joe Pass

Highway Fun ~ Lunar Octet

Coleman Hawkins and Confreres ~ Coleman Hawkins

Getting Around ~ Chris Barber

Hit the Road Jack ~ Mo' Horizons

Brasil Acoustico ~ Various Artists

Das Alte Foersterhaus ~ Various Artists

Besame Como Quiero Yo ~ Mary Merche

Kesore Jar ~ Wei Wu Wei