Make More Noise! Women in Independent Music UK 1977–1987 Various artists. Various producers. Cherry Red Records. CRCDBOX99. 4CD set and booklet
MUSIC
SONICS
The first words you hear on Disc One of Make More Noise! are sung by Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex, who was born almost 100 years after Parkhurst and died a decade ago, in 2011: “Some people think that little girls should be seen and not heard.” This opening lyric, from the song “Oh Bondage Up Yours!,” is followed by a raw sax solo by Styrene’s bandmate Lora Logic.
That pairing of very differently styled feminists from across centuries is unlikely in some ways, but it defines this collection, which showcases women musicians from a pivotal decade of music. Eighty-nine tracks, from the years 1977–1987, follow “Oh Bondage Up Yours!.”
Punk had kicked open the door with a Dr. Martens boot, opening up a space where music could be made by people not confined by the stereotypes of what a musician should be, how they should look and how they should sound. It was a time when women were picking up musical instruments in increasing numbers, to make noise and be heard.
This story is from the February 2021 edition of Stereophile.
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This story is from the February 2021 edition of Stereophile.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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