The best of Ian Dury & The Blockheads

• New Boots and Panties!! (1977) – This debut album is widely regarded as their most successful and influential. It reached #5 on the UK Albums Chart and stayed on the chart for two years. It includes some of their most famous songs like “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” and “What a Waste.”
• Do It Yourself (1979) – Their second album, which reached #2 on the UK Albums Chart. It features the hit single “Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick,” which reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart.
• Laughter (1980) – While not as commercially successful as the first two, it’s still considered an important part of their discography. Reaching #30 on the UK Albums Chart it included the single “I Want to Be Straight.”
• Mr. Love Pants (1998) – This comeback album, released after a long hiatus, was well-received critically, though it didn’t chart as high as their earlier works.

1. New Boots and Panties!! (1977)

Ian Dury and the Blockheads burst onto the British music scene in 1977 with their debut album “New Boots and Panties!!”. This punk-infused record blended elements of rock, funk, and music hall to create a uniquely British sound. Dury’s witty, often risqué lyrics and distinctive vocal delivery set the album apart from its contemporaries. The record showcased hits like “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” and “What a Waste,” which became anthems of the era.

Despite its punk associations, the album’s musical diversity appealed to a wide audience, reaching #5 on the UK Albums Chart. “New Boots and Panties!!” established Dury as a significant figure in British rock, influencing subsequent generations of musicians. Its success laid the foundation for the band’s career and remains a touchstone of late 1970s British music. The album’s enduring popularity is a testament to its raw energy, clever songwriting, and quintessentially English character.

2. Do It Yourself (1979)

The second studio album, “Do It Yourself,” released in 1979, built on the success of their debut. This funk-infused new wave record showcased the band’s musical versatility and Dury’s sharp lyrical wit. The album reached #2 on the UK Albums Chart, propelled by the hit single “Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick,” which topped the UK Singles Chart. “Do It Yourself” further cemented Dury’s reputation as a unique voice in British rock, blending elements of punk, funk, and pub rock.

The album’s sound, characterized by Chaz Jankel’s intricate arrangements and the Blockheads’ tight musicianship, set it apart from contemporary releases. Dury’s clever wordplay and distinctive vocal delivery continued to captivate audiences, addressing themes of working-class life and British culture. “Do It Yourself” remains a significant album of the late 1970s British music scene, demonstrating Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ artistic growth and commercial appeal.

3. Laughter (1980)

“Laughter,” released in 1980, was the third studio album. This record saw the band evolving their sound, incorporating more diverse musical influences while maintaining Dury’s trademark lyrical wit. Although it didn’t achieve the same commercial success as its predecessors, reaching #30 on the UK Albums Chart, “Laughter” showcased the group’s artistic growth. The album featured a mix of punk energy, funk rhythms, and new wave experimentation, with standout tracks like “I Want to Be Straight” and “Sueperman’s Big Sister.”

Dury’s sardonic humor and social commentary remained at the forefront, addressing themes of relationships, identity, and British culture. Despite a somewhat cooler reception compared to their earlier work, “Laughter” is considered an important part of Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ discography, demonstrating their willingness to push creative boundaries and explore new musical territories in the early 1980s British rock scene.

4. Mr. Love Pants (1998)

Mr. Love Pants,” released in 1998, was a comeback after a long hiatus. This album showcased Dury’s enduring talent for sharp, witty lyrics and the band’s ability to blend punk, funk, and rock elements. Despite being released nearly two decades after their peak, “Mr. Love Pants” demonstrated that Dury’s unique voice and the Blockheads’ tight musicianship remained intact. The record featured a mix of upbeat tracks and more introspective numbers, touching on themes of aging, relationships, and social observations. While it didn’t chart as high as their earlier works, “Mr. Love Pants” was well-received by critics and longtime fans.

The album served as a reminder of Dury’s significant contribution to British rock music and his influence on subsequent generations of artists. It showcased the band’s ability to evolve while maintaining their distinctive sound, proving that Ian Dury and the Blockheads could still produce relevant, engaging music in the late 1990s UK music scene.