Crass
1981
Penis Envy
About This Album
Libertine takes the lead vocals throughout Crass' third album (the one exception being De Vivre's turn on the unnerving portrayal of hospitals and waiting for death, "Health Surface"). A powerful and challenging record, Penis Envy uses the brutal, cruel description of sexism and rape on the opening track, "Bata Motel," as a launching point for a comprehensive rip through societal control and repression throughout. Smart enough to target everything from the mechanics and business of selling romance ("Smother Love") to gender stereotyping ("Systematic Death") and back again, lyrically the sharpest cut is toward those who choose to accept such a system rather than reacting back against it. Libertine's delivery places her as one of punk and post-punk's most distinct vocalists; if her atypical approach to singing has parallels to everyone from Poly Styrene to Pauline Murray, she consciously avoids sugaring the pill as the album continues on its way. One of her finest moments comes on "Where Next Columbus," a smart, blackly humorous riff on notions of discovery and control, on every level from economic and political to personal and back again.
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3,4,5 and 7)

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