So wrong it just has to be right!
The gloriously un-pc 1986 album ‘Retard Picnic’ was the breakthrough album for UK punkers The Stupids and is not surprisingly the best known release from their back catalogue. What instantly stands out here is that the production is far better than their previous outings and it’s all the better for it.
They didn’t mess with the formula much on ‘Retard Picnic’ with their trademark fast and furious punks rock being very much to the fore and still the majority of songs don’t venture beyond two minutes. The improved production however did allow them to tighten up the vocals and drums and present a much fuller sound. Coupled with some great hand drawn cover art this was probably the pinnacle of their releases with sixteen tracks of catchy hardcore punk. Songs like ‘Something’s Got to Give’ and ‘Shaded Eyes’ remain nailed on classics to this day and the humour that ran through their career is very much to the fore but never at the expense of a damn good tune.
The hilarious ‘Waltz of the New Wavers’ got a reworking here and is an amusing reminder of the backlash that existed against the watered down new wave in the mid 80s. There are plenty of ‘stupid’ moments but it doesn’t detract from the fact that ‘Retard Picnic’ is just a great album that demands you hit the replay button several times in quick succession.
The bonus tracks go into overload on this reissue with 26 additional songs on offer! Album outtakes and an unreleased flexi are interesting but it’s the full live show from 1987 that is the highlight and really captures the ferocious energy that the band had, proving that they could recreate the speed and intensity of the recordings in a live setting. If you only buy one of the reissues from this overview of their back catalogue, make it this one!