What makes Suicide by Suicide notable?

This album is significant for its groundbreaking fusion of electronic sounds and punk ethos, influencing countless artists across multiple genres. It faced controversy for its confrontational themes, particularly in tracks like 'Frankie Teardrop,' which examined violence and despair, solidifying its status as a cult classic within the underground music scene. Suicide's self-titled debut album emerged in 1977, positioning them at the forefront of the nascent punk scene. This release followed their initial performances, which had already established their provocative style and laid the groundwork for their influence on genres like post-punk and electronic music.

How many songs are on Suicide?

Suicide has 17 tracks, running approximately 70 minutes.

Suicide

Suicide · 1977

70 min · 17 tracks · electronic music

A raw blend of abrasive synthesizers and haunting vocals that prefigured the industrial and no wave movements in music.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Frankie Teardrop — At over ten minutes long, this track encapsulates the band's stark narrative style, exploring dark themes through a relentless rhythm and chilling vocal delivery.
→
Ghost Rider — This opening track sets the tone with its driving beat and eerie atmosphere, showcasing Suicide's signature sound that blends urgency with bleakness.
→
Cheree — With its melodic hooks juxtaposed against unsettling lyrics, 'Cheree' exemplifies the band’s ability to combine beauty with discomfort, making it a standout piece.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album's innovative blend of electronic sounds and punk ethos creates a distinct and influential listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of repetitive, driving synthesizer patterns that create a hypnotic effect throughout.
Vocals are sparse and often delivered in a detached manner, contributing to the overall unsettling atmosphere of the record.
Several tracks incorporate abrupt transitions and dissonant sounds, which challenge conventional song structures and keep 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: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 8/10

Defined its genre or moment. 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 Ghost Rider 2:33
2 Rocket U.S.A. 4:16
3 Cheree 3:47
4 Johnny 2:12
5 Girl 3:21
6 Frankie Teardrop 10:24
7 Che 4:50
8 Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne 3:19
9 Mr. Ray (To Howard T.) 5:12
10 Sweetheart 3:35
11 Fast Money Music 3:04
12 Touch Me 4:22
13 Harlem 6:34
14 Be Bop Kid 2:12
15 Radiation 3:01
16 Dance 3:22
17 Shadazz 4:22

What to play next

Listen next

Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin Rev

1980

Go back to

21½ Minutes in Berlin/23 Minutes in Brussels

Full Suicide discography Artists like Suicide

post-punk synth-pop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata