Alternative Chartbusters (The Boys album)

Alternative Chartbusters is the second studio album by UK band the Boys, released in 1978.^[2][3] "Brickfield Nights" was the first single.^[4]

Alternative Chartbusters
Studio album by the Boys
Released	17 March 1978
Genre	Pop punk
Label	NEMS[1]
Producer	Matt Dangerfield & Casino Steel
The Boys chronology
The Boys (1977) Alternative Chartbusters (1978) To Hell with the Boys (1979)

Background

The Boys released their self-titled debut studio album in November 1977. During the Christmas period, the band released a "Run Rudolph Run" single under the alter ego the Yobs. Alternative Chartbusters sees the band moving away from punk rock into power pop territory.^[1]

Release and reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Alternative Rock	7/10[1]

While promoting Alternative Chartbusters, the Boys' popularity in mainland Europe had gone mainstream, aided by their work ethic and Hollywood Brats' (which keyboardist Casino Steel was previously in) reputation. Author Dave Thompson, in his book Alternative Rock (2000), wrote: "Boysmania swept Holland; graffiti peppered walls in Norway", though they were mostly ignored in the UK.^[1]

Thompson said the band "push[ed] past the rent-a-punk barriers of their debut [album]," while Alternative Chartbusters "peaks with 'Brickfield Nights,' rewriting the rules for solid punk pop-rock."^[1]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Casino Steel and Matt Dangerfield; except where indicated

• Side A

1. "Brickfield Nights" Lead vocal Matt Dangerfield
2. "U.S.I." (Plain) Lead vocal Kid Reid
3. "Taking On The World" (Reid) Lead vocal Reid
4. "Sway (Quién Será)" (Ruiz) Lead vocal Dangerfield
5. "Do The Contract" Lead vocal Dangerfield
6. "Heroine" Lead vocal Dangerfield
7. "Not Ready" Lead vocal Reid

• Side B

1. "Classified Susie" Lead vocal Dangerfield
2. "T.C.P." (Plain) Lead vocal All
3. "Neighbourhood Brats" Lead vocal Dangerfield
4. "Stop Stop Stop" (Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, Graham Nash) Lead vocal Dangerfield
5. "Backstage Pass" (Plain) Lead vocal Reid
6. "Talking" Lead vocal Dangerfield
7. "Cast of Thousands" Lead vocal Reid

Personnel

• Matt Dangerfield - guitar, vocals
• Kid Reid - bass, vocals
• Honest John Plain - guitar, vocals
• Casino Steel - piano, vocals
• Jack Black - drums

References

1. Thompson, Dave (2000). Alternative Rock. Third Ear: The Essential Listening Companion. San Francisco, California: Miller Freeman Books. pp. 219, 220. ISBN 0-87930-607-6.
2. "Alternative Chartbusters - The Boys | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
3. "TrouserPress.com :: Boys". trouserpress.com.
4. Clark, Martin (31 March 1978). "Single of the Week is from Gladys Knight". Wishaw Press and Advertiser. p. 5.

External links

• Alternative Chartbusters (deluxe edition) at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)