i finally broke down and spent the money on this rhino records box set. it was on sale and i've been wanting it ever since i took it out from the library a year ago. it's a 4 CD box set called "no thanks" and it covers the entire punk rock explosion, from the ramones to joy division. i knew about 1/2 the bands included in the box set, so it was fun discovering new bands like x-ray spex, delta 5 and gang of four. the set comes with an amazing booklet that includes 2 essays and a song by song commentary. the set does not include anything by the sex pistols. they tried but couldn't get approval, so instead they have a note saying, "go buy never mind the bullocks! this box set is the 2nd most important punk rock music collection, so buy the sex pistols album to have the first!" i love that the box set includes blondie, siouxsie and the banshees as well as the ramones and the clash.

ok, there's my record review. i also bought "worker's playtime" by billy bragg, one of my favorite albums from 1988. i haven't had a chance to listen, but will later tonight. we'll see if it's still as good as i remember it was, walking to classes at OSU, in the fall, on my walkman cassette player.