Album of the Day

Forty years ago today, Buzzcocks made their concert debut; that the U.K. quartet were just as impressive in the studio as onstage is amply borne out on LOVE BITES. Produced by the great Martin Rushent, the 1978 collection arrived in stores just six months after their first album, but the group's supply of classics was by no means depleted: “Real World,” “Just Lust” and the immortal “Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)” reveal Steve Shelley to be a songwriter of the first order. The two-disc Special Edition of this superb set features a bumper crop of bonus tracks including demos, live recordings and John Peel sessions. With an instrumental attack as propulsive and catchy as any Ramones album, LOVE BITES will sink its teeth deep into punk fans.