- Nicky Garratt - lead guitar

- Alvin Gibbs - bass

- Charlie Harper - vocals, rhythm guitar

- Steve Roberts - drums, percussion

- Charlie Harper (solo efforts)

- Urban Dogs (Charlie Harper)

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Diminished Responsibility

Company: GEM

Catalog: GEMLP 112

Year: 1981

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: UK pressing

Available: 1

Price: $

London's U.K. Subs have always been a puzzle to us.  Musically these guys are quite accomplished; certainly miles ahead of such contemporaries as The Clash and The Sex Pistols.  That said, rhythm guitarist/singer Charlie Harper's  rant and rage vocals have always struck us as an acquired taste and the band's peculiar brand of activism is largely lost on us..  

With Harper and Mike Leander co-producing, 1981's "Diminished Responsibility" isn't a major change in musical direction.  With Harper and Garratt again responsible for the majority of the material, the set takes on the usual laundry list of political and social ills, including gangsters, prison, racism, violence, etc. etc.  Cutting to the chase, the music's frequently quite good.  Garratt's an exceptional and inventive lead guitarist, while the Gibbs-Roberts rhythm section kicks the crap out of most of these 12 tracks.  For better or worse, Harper's raw and screechy vocals mean most Americans won't be able to make head or tails out of the lyrics; though if you're really interested, the album includes printed lyrics on the inner sleeve.  Want to hear a U.K. Subs song with an accordion?  Well, check out "Party In Paris".

"Diminished Responsibility" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) You Don't Belong   (Charlie Harper - Nicky Garratt) - 

2.) So What   (Charlie Harper - Nicky Garratt) - 

3.) Confrontation   (Charlie Harper - Nicky Garratt - Steve Roberts) - 

4.) Fatal   (Charlie Harper - Nicky Garratt) - 

5.) Time and Matter   (Charlie Harper - Nicky Garratt - Alvin Gibbs) - 

6.) Violent City   (Charlie Harper - Nicky Garratt) - 

7.) Too Tired   (Charlie Harper - Nicky Garratt - Steve Roberts) - 

(side 2)

1.) Party In Paris   (Charlie Harper) - 

2.) Gangster   (Charlie Harper - Nicky Garratt) - 

3.) Face the Machine   (Charlie Harper - Alvin Gibbs) - 

4.) New Order   (Charlie Harper - Nicky Garratt - Alvin Gibbs - Steve Roberts) - 

5.) Just Another Jungle   (Charlie Harper - Paul Slack - Nicky Garratt) - 

6.) Collision Cult   (Charlie Harper - Nicky Garratt) -