Amidst the slew of posthumous releases crowding the Pistols' catalogue, BETTER LIVE THAN DEAD proves the perfect companion for NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, IT'S THE SEX PISTOLS. This lo-fi but solid recording of a Sex Pistols show of indeterminate origin is mercifully pre-Sid, so original bassist Glen Matlock supplies actual bass lines. The Pistols' performance is surprisingly tight, given their relative inexperience. In an effort to beef up their set, the band covered an interesting range of artists including the Who ("Substitute"), The Stooges ("No Fun") and The Monkees ("Stepping Stone").
Also included are eventual anthems such as "Pretty Vacant" and "Anarchy in The U.K"., reflecting the band's disgust with the status quo. In a legacy based around one album, this release reinforces the Sex Pistols' crucial place in a brief but important phase of popular music.|
Rovi