The Raincoats "The Raincoats"
The Raincoats' first album was released by Rough Trade, an independent London-based label, on November 21, 1979. The album gained recognition for its unique cover of the Kinks' "Lola" and was later ranked number 398 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time in 2020.
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The Raincoats' first album was released by Rough Trade, an independent London-based label, on November 21, 1979. The album gained recognition for its unique cover of the Kinks' "Lola" and was later ranked number 398 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time in 2020.
The band's members were heavily influenced by squatting culture and had an improvisational and DIY approach to their music. The band dressed in everyday punk fashion, emphasizing an egalitarian ethos during their live performances. The album's music has been described as "ragged, homespun folk-punk", "forward-thinking" experimental rock, and one of post-punk's best albums.
The album was re-released on CD in 1993 and on vinyl in 2009, including liner notes by Nirvana's Kurt Cobain. The Raincoats are considered a landmark in indie pop, new wave, and post-punk music and have influenced various DIY scenes and bands like Beat Happening, Vivian Girls, and Electrelane. The band's debut album has been referenced in the film 20th Century Women for its "wobbly" and "fragile" qualities, which director Mike Mills attempted to incorporate into his writing.
