In the late 70s, the Prefects were a promising band. They got good press in New Musical Express and other publications, producers of other punk bands had their number, and they were playing alongside some of the punk community's biggest names: The Fall, The Buzzcocks, and The Clash. However, while we look back at bands like The Clash and see them as part of the music underground fighting against the mainstream, from the Prefect's perspective, The Clash were the mainstream, the "dinosaurs" the Prefects were fighting against. The Prefects were a truly indie band. They were never signed, and by 1979 they were disbanded, never having recorded a proper album. Perhaps nothing else attests to their independence better than the length of this release, a complete collection of every recorded Prefects song known of today, amounting to 10 songs. But these 10 songs assure us of two things: One, that they were not signed because of lack of constraint, not lack of talent; and two, that the world would be a better place if they had been.
Not once through out the album does the music fall flat, as it captures the same rage captured by their fellow British punk bands in the '70s. More importantly, the music reaches complexities that may not be expected from such a band. For example, "Bristol Road Leads to Dachau" features complex strumming patterns beneath singer Robert Lloyd's sneering singing. Somewhat complex melody interplay can be heard on other tracks, including "Things in General." Are Amateur Wankers does have less complex songs that lack anything more that a fast chord progression and monotone vocals, and that is where The Prefects stumble. But I don't think Lloyd was being entirely egotistical when he told NME, "I honestly can't understand why the world isn't bazoomi about The Prefects." It's doubtful that the world will go "bazoomi" now either, but at least they have an album, and an enjoyable one at that.
1. Faults
2. Escort Girls
3. Going Through the Motions
4. Things in General
5. Barbarellas
6. Total Luck
7. 625 Lines
8. Agony Column
9. Bristol Road Leads to Dachau
10. VD