Subhumans Time Flies + Rats

As the title suggests, this 1986 album compiled the eight-track 'Time Flies... But Aeroplanes Crash' 12, originally recorded and released in 1983, and the four-track EP, 'Rats', that had been recorded during the summer of 1984 and released in early '85. 'Rats' might just be the band's most powerful and compelling release, the title track inspired by the Stop The City protests of '84 that sought to highlight the undeniable links between first world capitalism and third world poverty. Whilst it's something of a mish-mash, with several rowdy live tracks and a few, very enjoyable re-recordings of old Stupid Humans songs (Stupid Humans being guitarist Bruce's pre-Subhumans band...), it contains two of the Subhumans' best-loved tracks, 'Work Rest Play Die' and 'Susan', the latter something of an oddity as it's a stirring piano piece, with lyrics written by Steve Hamilton, an old friend of the band. As a staple of the punk scene, ALL of the Subhumans records are still in high demand, and this long overdue repress of this album couldn't be coming at a better time. Subhumans are one of the most influential bands from the UK Anarcho-Punk scene of the 80's, filed right alongside Crass and Conflict, and just as relevant today as they were during the darkest days of Thatcher's Britain. Take your choice in how to label them - Punk, UK82, Crusty, etc. - therein lies the attraction and consequent reason for their popularity, the band epitomizes non-conformity and connects with people in many different scenes. This collection is an important piece of history in the world of punk that Subhumans helped create.