444 – Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Burn It Down (1980)
Written by Kevin Rowland
Produced by Pete Wingfield
Label – EMI

Disillusioned with Punk, the recording industry, the music press and the apparent ignorance to Irish literature, Dexy’s leader Kevin Rowland seething opener to the magnificent “Searching For The Young Soul Rebels” may have its roots in 60s Soul/R&B, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a lazy rehash. Rowland, with guitarist Kevin Archer assembled a band of soul brothers, dressed them like dirty New York dockers and rigidly steered them down a path that brought a new energised vision of what modern soul music should represent. It’s such a shame he discovered fiddles and dungarees.

“oh for God’s sake burn it down”