What makes The Story So Far by Mo-dettes notable?

This album is significant for its place in the UK post-punk movement, receiving critical attention for its innovative sound and lyrical content. It also features a notable cover of Paint It Black, which helped to bring the band's style to a wider audience and has influenced subsequent artists within the genre. The Story So Far is the debut album from Mo-dettes, released in January 1980 during a dynamic period for UK post-punk music. At this point, the band was building momentum after forming in 1979, showcasing their distinctive sound that combined punk ethos with elements of new wave and ska.

How many songs are on The Story So Far?

The Story So Far has 17 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

The Story So Far

Mo-dettes · 1980

53 min · 17 tracks

A vibrant blend of post-punk energy and pop sensibility, infused with sharp lyrics and eclectic instrumentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Fandango — Opening with an infectious hook, Fandango sets the tone for the album with its danceable beat and clever wordplay that encapsulates the Mo-dettes' unique blend of punk and pop.
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Dark Park Creeping — This track stands out for its haunting melody and vivid imagery, reflecting the darker themes that pervade the album while still maintaining an upbeat tempo.
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The Kray Twins — Using the infamous twin gangsters as a reference point, this song combines sharp social commentary with catchy rhythms, illustrating the band's knack for blending humor with serious topics.
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Satisfy — With its driving bassline and energetic chorus, Satisfy embodies the band's pop-punk spirit, making it a highlight that showcases their ability to craft memorable hooks.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Foothills

Higher than 35% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting with eclectic instrumentation, marking its place in post-punk but lacks broader recognition.

What we noticed

The album opens with a fast-paced track, maintaining a consistent tempo for the first half before introducing slower songs in the second half.

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

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.

1 Fandango 2:33
2 Satisfy 3:56
3 Dark Park Creeping 2:41
4 The Kray Twins 3:47
5 Paint It Black 2:19
6 White Mouse Disco 3:06
7 Bedtime Stories 3:55
8 Masochistic Opposite 3:12
9 Foolish Girl 3:02
10 Norman (He's No Rebel) 2:32
11 Sparrow 4:15
12 Mi'lord 2:55
13 Bitta Truth 3:14
14 Two Can Play 2:42
15 Tonight 2:57
16 Waltz in Blue Minor 3:17
17 White Mice 3:35

What to play next

Full Mo-dettes discography Artists like Mo-dettes

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata