What makes Stepping Out of Line: The Anthology by Au Pairs notable?

This anthology is significant for compiling not only the band's core discography but also previously unreleased demos and live recordings, showcasing their evolution and impact on the punk scene. Critics have noted its importance in reviving interest in the band, which had influenced later artists with its bold exploration of gender politics and social commentary. Released in 2006, 'Stepping Out of Line: The Anthology' serves as a retrospective of Au Pairs' influential yet brief career, highlighting their contributions from the early 1980s. By this point, the band had long disbanded after their last studio album in 1983, making this compilation crucial to understanding their legacy in post-punk and feminist punk movements.

How many songs are on Stepping Out of Line: The Anthology?

Stepping Out of Line: The Anthology has 37 tracks, running approximately 154 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

Stepping Out of Line: The Anthology

Au Pairs · 2006

154 min · 37 tracks · punk rock

Punk-infused art rock collides with incisive lyrics, capturing the tension and spirit of early 80s counterculture.

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Top tracks — play these first

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We're So Cool — This opening track sets the tone for the anthology with its sharp commentary on self-image and societal expectations, encapsulating the band's punk ethos.
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Headache for Michelle — Spanning over six minutes, this song combines intricate instrumentation with witty lyrics that critique romantic relationships, highlighting the band's artistic depth.
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Sex Without Stress — A standout track that addresses sexual politics directly, blending catchy melodies with provocative lyrics that challenge societal norms surrounding intimacy.
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Monogamy — This track's playful yet incisive take on monogamous relationships reveals the band’s capacity for humor while engaging with serious themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

54 /100

Lowland

Higher than 2% of albums we've rated

The anthology captures the band's punk-infused art rock with varied tracks but lacks a cohesive flow typical of studio albums.

What we noticed

Several songs include sharp, socially conscious lyrics that reflect the band's engagement with early 80s counterculture themes.

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

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Disc 1

1 We’re So Cool 3:28
2 Love Song 2:50
3 Set Up 3:20
4 Repetition 3:48
5 Headache for Michelle 6:54
6 Come Again 3:53
7 Armagh 3:36
8 Unfinished Business 3:28
9 Dear John 2:56
10 It’s Obvious 6:18
11 Pretty Boys (BBC session) 4:00
12 Monogamy (BBC session) 2:55
13 Ideal Woman (BBC session) 3:55
14 You (E.P. track) 2:51
15 Domestic Departure (E.P. track) 2:21
16 Kerb Crawler (E.P. track) 2:46
17 Diet (single B‐side) 4:18
18 It’s Obvious (single A‐side) 5:45
19 Inconvenience (12″ version) 2:55
20 Pretty Boys (12″ version) 3:38

Disc 2

1 Stepping out of Line 6:02
2 Sex Without Stress 4:31
3 Instant Touch 3:00
4 That’s When It’s Worth It 4:06
5 Shakedown 4:22
6 Tongue in Cheek 3:01
7 Intact 3:16
8 Don’t Lie Back 4:49
9 America 5:20
10 Fiasco 3:51
11 No More Secret Lives (1983 demo) 5:16
12 Runs With Honey (1983 demo) 6:19
13 Hokka He Ha (1983 demo) 5:32
14 Taking Care of Him (1983 demo) 5:12
15 What Kind of Girl 3:36
16 Piece of My Heart (live) 3:49
17 Headache for Michelle (12″ version) 6:37

What to play next

Go back to

Sense and Sensuality

1982

Full Au Pairs discography Artists like Au Pairs

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