Dexys Midnight Runners - Searching For The Young Soul Rebels (1980)

Debut album from the band that later became famous for "Come On Eileen" but this one set them on the map.

Listed as one of the top albums of 1980, the year of my birth, as well as earning inclusion in "1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".

But does it live up to that, and is it still worth a listen.

Apparently the band was created in 1978 with the quote "I'm going to do what I really want to do: form a great group. We'll wear great clothes and make soulful music."

On reflection their music has aged better than their clothes.

"Geno" was and is still the stand out track, with a recognisable lead in even now.

But the rest of the songs hold a lot of soul, and stand the test of time.

Apparently they are named after Dexedrine, a popular amphetamine at the time, but they ruled out booze or drugs before performances.

Maybe some input there on their decision to steal the master tape on completion and only return it to EMI when they got a 50% increase in their royalties. Maybe not.

Worth opening your ears to something that isn't the new new, cos that can let you down.