Pylon - Gyrate

Review by Peter Stinckens

Gyrate, the debut album by Athens, Georgia-based post-punk band Pylon, is a high-energy, danceable record that showcases the band's unique blend of angular guitar riffs, propulsive rhythms, and singer Vanessa Briscoe Hay's distinctive vocals. Released in 1980, the album has become a cult classic and a touchstone for bands in the indie rock and post-punk scenes.

The opening track, "Cool," sets the tone for the album with its driving bassline and Hay's urgent vocals. "Dub" and "Feast On My Heart" showcase the band's ability to create catchy, dancefloor-ready tracks without sacrificing their experimental edge. "Gravity" and "Danger" are more atmospheric and moody, with Hay's vocals soaring over jagged guitar lines and insistent drumming.

The production on Gyrate is raw and unpolished, giving the album a gritty, DIY feel that suits the band's punk ethos. The songs are short and to the point, with most clocking in at under three minutes, but they pack a punch with their tight arrangements and infectious hooks.

Artist: Pylon
Album: Gyrate

1969

Rating: 4.0

Review
About Album
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Tracks
Video
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Catalog Numbers
Labels
Listen online
Formats
Companies
Credits
Notes
Barcodes
About Artist
Summary
Comments
Related albums

Download

Filename: pylon-gyrate.zip

MP3 size: 154 mb
FLAC size: 864 mb

Download

Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Working Problem
Dub
Driving School (U.S. Version)
Driving School	3:47
Recent Title (U.K. Version)
Feast on My Heart	03:35
Volume	4:10
Stop It	2:59
Recent Title	2:24
The Human Body
Danger	5:32
Weather Radio	2:08
Working Is No Problem	3:24
Read A Book	1:55
Cool
The Human Body	3:00
Read a Book	02:02
Feast On My Heart	3:28
Precaution	2:45
Gravity	2:31

Video

Pylon - Stop It

Pylon - Danger

Images

Catalog Numbers

Labels

DB Recs
Roof Records
Armageddon Records
Armageddon Records Ltd.
Vertigo
RTC, Armageddon Records
Disc'Az

Listen online

online anhören
online luisteren
écouter en ligne
lyssna på nätet
lytte på nettet
ascolta in linea
ouvir online
kuunnella verkossa
escuchar en línea

Formats

Vinyl
LP
Album
Test Pressing
33 ⅓ RPM
Stereo
Cassette
Pre - release cassette

Companies

Role	Company
Phonographic Copyright (p)	WATTEAU Music
Copyright (c)	DB Recs
Manufactured By	Roof Music GmbH
Distributed By	Caroline Exports
Published By	Watteau Music
Lacquer Cut At	Master Cutting Room
Pressed By	Lyntone Recordings Ltd.
Printed By	Ever Reddy
Record Company	Base Record

Credits

Role	Credit
Art Direction	Sean Bourne
Design	Sean Bourne
Bass	Michael Lachowski
Drums	Curtis Crowe
Engineer	Bruce Baxter
Executive Producer	Danny Beard
Guitar	Randy Bewley
Producer	Bruce Baxter, Kevin Dunn, Pylon
Songwriter	Pylon
Vocals	Vanessa Ellison
Executive-Producer	Danny Beard
Written-By	Pylon
Lacquer Cut By	Bre
Plated By	Max

Notes

Side A: >This SideOther Side<
℗ 1980 WATTEAU Music; © db Records, 1980
All selections by Pylon (BMI)
Category 133 025 appears on back of sleeve, preceded by "Best.-Nr."
Category 133025 appears on labels
Category 66.22279 appears on back of sleeve in small type
Category ARM 5 appears on spine
Issued with printed inner sleeve (lyrics, picture).
(C) 1980 Armageddon Records Ltd.
LP jacket differs from US release. Jacket is light blue with pink graphics and orange PYLON.
Different track listing and label artwork from original US release.
This version substitutes "Recent Title" for "Driving School."
See pictures for yellow label.
Matrix / Runout: (Side 1) DB-54-A JL MASTERFONICS
Matrix / Runout: (Side 2) DB-54-B JL MASTERFONICS
Published by Watteau Music
CopyrightArmageddon Records Ltd.
Pre - release cassette of Pylon`s first album, published by Town House Studios in the UK
Card inner sleeve has the lyrics and a photo of the artistes
International Distribution by Caroline Exports, 55 Standard Road, London, NW10, England
Caroline Exports was an expansion of Virgin's mail order department, handling overseas enquiries and orders.
Track listing different than US release
Driving School, The Human Body & Precaution are not present on this release while the songs Cool & Dub replace them.
Editions Watteau Music
(P) 1980 Armageddon Records Ltd.
(C) An Armageddon Records
Made in West Germany
"Made in Italy" on bottom of label, although wrap-around text says "Made In England." "Made in Italy" also listed on cover back. Different label number from UK release.
Cassette has the 2nd U.S. track listing, with "Recent Title" replacing "Driving School".

Barcodes

Rights Society: GEMA
Label Code: LC 5965
Matrix / Runout (A-side runout, hand-etched): ARM-5-A -MAX MCR Bre LYN-8794-14
Matrix / Runout (B-side runout, hand-etched): ARM-5-B LYN-8795-14 MCR Bre MAX
Barcode:
Matrix / Runout: ARM 5 A
Matrix / Runout: ARM 5 B
Matrix / Runout (Side A Runout): VOG 1 3305-A Q VOLUME ok.
Matrix / Runout (Side B Runout): VOG 1 3305-B Q DUB ok.
Pressing Plant ID (Runouts): Q
Other (Bottom right corner back jacket): Ever Reddy logo
Matrix / Runout (Runout A, etched / [stamped], variant 1): db-54. A [m over w symbol] 38478 MCRGE
Matrix / Runout (Runout A, etched / [stamped], variant 1): [m over w symbol] 38478.B db-54.B MCRGE
Matrix / Runout (Runout A, etched / [stamped], variant 2): db-54⸱A [W over M Wakefield logo] 38478-A MO#2 MCR Bre
Matrix / Runout (Runout A, etched / [stamped], variant 2): db-54⸱B MO#2 MCR Bre #1 [W over M Wakefield logo] 38478-B
Rights Society: SACEM
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A): ARM 5/A
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B): ARM 5/B
Rights Society: SIAE

About Pylon

American post punk/new wave/indie rock band founded in 1978 in Athens, Georgia.

Name Vars

Pylon Crew

Members

Randy Bewley
Curtis Crowe
Michael Lachowski
Vanessa Briscoe Hay

Summary by Peter Stinckens

Gyrate is a must-listen for fans of post-punk and indie rock, and a testament to Pylon's influence on the genre. With its blend of danceable rhythms, angular guitar riffs, and powerful vocals, the album remains a timeless classic that still sounds fresh and exciting today.

Comments

bramdezwart 2023-04-13

A fine post-punk album with standout riffs and edgy melodies. While the yelping component isn't always my cup of tea, there are several standout tracks, including "Danger", "Weather Radio", and "Volume"

fightingandtrying 2023-04-12

Still fresh after 40 year

leighhowser7da3825d7a 2023-04-11

First thing I noticed while watching the film "Shining Girls" starring Elisabeth Moss was hearing Danger by Pylon. Perfect fit, perfect band. Enhanced the experience just that much more.