What makes Grin & Bear It by The Ruts notable?

Grin & Bear It held significant cultural weight as it emerged during a time of social unrest in Britain, resonating with disillusioned youth. The album featured the iconic track 'Babylon's Burning,' which became an anthem for the punk movement and showcased the band's ability to address political themes through music. Released in 1980, Grin & Bear It is The Ruts' second studio album, following their acclaimed debut, The Crack. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their unique sound that intertwined punk rock with reggae influences, aiming to expand on the momentum gained from their earlier success.

How many songs are on Grin & Bear It?

Grin & Bear It has 16 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Grin & Bear It

The Ruts · 1980

51 min · 16 tracks · punk rock

A raw blend of punk energy and reggae grooves that captures the spirit of late '70s British youth culture.

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Top tracks — play these first

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West One (Shine on Me) — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its infectious hooks and socially charged lyrics, encapsulating the band's blend of punk and reggae.
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Staring at the Rude Boys — A sharp critique of societal norms and violence among youth, this song highlights the band's lyrical prowess and reflects the tension of its era.
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Babylon's Burning — As one of their most powerful songs, it became a rallying cry for punks, illustrating both the chaos and urgency of the socio-political landscape at the time.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The album blends punk and reggae but struggles with cohesion due to live tracks disrupting flow.

What we noticed

Reggae influences are prominent in tracks like 'In a Rut,' where the rhythm shifts to a slower groove while retaining punk energy.
The album features live versions of three tracks in the second half, which alters the overall feel and intensity compared to studio recordings.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 West One (Shine on Me) 5:42
2 Staring at the Rude Boys 3:14
3 Demolition Dancing 2:37
4 Secret Soldier 2:19
5 H Eyes 2:49
6 In a Rut 3:41
7 Love in Vain 4:09
8 S.U.S. (live) 3:29
9 Babylon's Burning (live) 2:42
10 Society (live) 2:04
11 West One (7" version) 2:57
12 The Crack 5:49
13 Denial 3:05
14 Stepping Bondage 2:37
15 Lobotomy 2:10
16 Rich Bitch 2:02

What to play next

Listen next

Animal Now

1981

Go back to

The Crack

1979

Full The Ruts discography Artists like The Ruts

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata