What makes Do It Yourself by Ian Dury notable?

The album received critical acclaim for its inventive songwriting and Dury's unique vocal style. It further established him as an influential figure in the British music landscape during the late 1970s, contributing to the rise of the new wave movement. Released in January 1979, 'Do It Yourself' marked Ian Dury's first album after the commercial success of 'New Boots and Panties!!'. At this point, Dury was solidifying his reputation as a distinctive voice in the UK music scene, blending new wave with pub rock and showcasing his sharp lyrical wit.

Who is Do It Yourself for?

Do It Yourself works well if you're into playful storytelling with wit, steady mid-tempo for focus and quirky energy for social gatherings.

How many songs are on Do It Yourself?

Do It Yourself has 10 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Do It Yourself

Ian Dury · 1979

41 min · 10 tracks · new wave

A playful mix of punk energy and witty storytelling, set against a backdrop of eclectic instrumentation and catchy melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Inbetweenies — Opens the album with an infectious groove and clever lyrics that playfully address the struggles of feeling caught between different worlds.
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Don't Ask Me — Features a catchy chorus and showcases Dury's knack for combining humor with poignant observations about everyday life.
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Dance of the Screamers — A standout track that blends complex rhythms with eccentric instrumentation, highlighting Dury's innovative approach to song structure.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases inventive songwriting and varied instrumentation, though its pacing affects overall cohesion.

What we noticed

The album opens with a punchy track that sets a brisk pace, but the tempo fluctuates significantly across the ten tracks, with several slower songs placed in the middle.
Dury's vocal delivery varies from spoken word to melodic singing, often switching styles within the same song, which keeps the listener engaged.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

playful storytelling with wit
steady mid-tempo for focus
quirky energy for social gatherings
engaging melodies for sing-alongs

Maybe skip if you

seeking intense emotional depth
prefer instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in January 1979, 'Do It Yourself' marked Ian Dury's first album after the commercial success of 'New Boots and Panties!!'. At this point, Dury was solidifying his reputation as a distinctive voice in the UK music scene, blending new wave with pub rock and showcasing his sharp lyrical wit.
Stylistic neighbors: Joe Jackson· Squeeze· The Blockheads

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Inbetweenies 5:21
2 Quiet 3:34
3 Don’t Ask Me 3:20
4 Sink My Boats 4:12
5 Waiting for Your Taxi 2:53
6 This Is What We Find 4:10
7 Uneasy Sunny Day Hotsy Totsy 2:10
8 Mischief 3:33
9 Dance of the Screamers 6:41
10 Lullaby for Francies 5:08

What to play next

Listen next

Laughter

1980

Go back to

New Boots and Panties!!

1977

Full Ian Dury discography Artists like Ian Dury

new wave pub rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata