Cock Sparrer: The Decca Years, Vinyl LP Edition – Review

11th April 2023 0 By Jon Deaux

Cock Sparrer, The Decca Years has been out of print for a little while and was originally only available as a picture disc and an expanded CD. The picture disc goes for silly money these days and sounds like mud mixed with gravel. It’s AWFUL, but it looks nice.

This NEW limited edition version (only 2000 pressed) contains the same track listing as the CD release and this actually sounds fresh. Even Run For Cover despite its tape limitations( it has dropouts and sound problems but it’s included for historical reasons) sounds great

Cock Sparrer have just celebrated their 50th anniversary so it’s only right that The Decca Years gets a re-issue and sounds excellent as a vinyl.

The inner sleeve is lovely and glossy and features a load of memorabilia pictures. The inner gatefold has photos of their Decca discography. A lovely touch for a nerd like me. It pains me to write this next phrase but it’s true, The Decca Years is all killer and no filler.

The tracks were originally recorded back in 1977-1978 and undoubtedly these were the best years for Cock Sparrer and this record contains so many highlights for me. Especially their version of Watch Gonna Do About It (originally recorded by The Small Faces), is a proper earworm.

There is nothing to hate about this compilation.

Grab a copy while you can
Score 8/10

Track Listing:

SIDE 1
1 We Love You
2 Sister Suzie
3 Platinum Blonde
4 Taken For A Ride
5 Again And Again
6 Sunday Stripper
7 Trouble On The Terraces
SIDE 2
1 Runnin’ Riot
2 Chip On My Shoulder
3 Watcha Gonna Do About It
4 Teenage Heart
5 I Need A Witness
6 What’s It Like To Be Old
7 Run For Cover