Adam & the Ants - Dirk Wears White Sox

Digitally remastered reissue of the New Wave act's debut album, originally released in 1979, Before the face paint, pirate outfits and theatrical performances and videos, Adam and his early Ants were Post-Punk art rockers covered in a dark, Gothic glaze. The tracks here capture early Adam in all his twisted glory, approaching Punk from different angles and creating an eclectic album that sounded like no-one else. Abrasive to some, engaging to others, Dirk Wears White Sox is an extremely creative and exciting artifact. After this album, half of these Ants went onto form Bow Wow Wow and Adam then put together a new version of the Ants that would become hugely successful barely a year later. Features seven bonus tracks, 'Whip In My Valise', 'Kick!', 'Physical', 'Cartrouble (Parts 1 & 2-Chris Hughes Mix), 'Friends', 'Cartrouble' (Single Version), & 'Kick' (Single Version). Sony. Album Description

 Most amazing!!
I discovered Adam back in the early 80's, seeing the Antmusic video on MTV and other places. I imediately bought King's of the Wild Frontier, and loved it. To this day it is still one of my favorites. Shortly after buying that, I got my hands on the US version of Dirk, and was equally pleased with it. The one day, I ran across a cassette copy of the original Do It 1979 release, and snagged it. I thought it was so much better in ways, than the US version. I still have that cassette to this day. When this remaster came out a couple years back, I was THRILLED to see it was a remaster of the original version.

The remastered CD is amazing, with much more clarity and energy than my cassette could provide. I love all eras of Ant Music, but the first two albums hold a nearer, dearer place in my mind. January 31, 2008

 Dirk Wears White Socks
This is even better than the version I played to death as a child. I love it. October 13, 2007

 Adam Ant--Punk Style
I have been a fan of Adam Ant since 1980. I saw the Jolly Roger video on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, in the middle of the night, on a snowy TV. It was love at first sight!

Although the Kings of the Wild Frontier LP is what reeled me in, Dirk Wears White Sox is closer to the bone...Adam's original sound. I think of the two LPs as two personalities. After Prince Charming, his sound changed even more so. Friend or Foe was great in its own way, but was a departure from Adam's original brand of "Antmusic for Sex People". Dirk Wears White Sox is more punky, raw, and off the commercial path. This release also has a few extra singles and different versions of songs that were originally released on an EP. I remember having to order these from the UK as a teen.

I owned DWWS on CD, but when I saw the re-mastered issue with the EP material, I bought it again. Now, I can finally part with my useless vinyl versions! The sound is fantastic and the liner notes have the lyrics--Adam was always good about that.
I love each song on this CD--I have had the opportunity to listen to them for over 26 years.

Adam's music is teeming with sexuality--God bless that man! Though he isn't vulgar, and is quite tame by today's standards, parents may get some odd questions from their child after listening to "Whip in my Valise".

If you are more a fan of the "Goody Two-Shoes" sound, this CD may sound alien to you. If you have only heard Adam's later music, then you are in for a treat. It surpasses his commercialized releases: Viva Le Rock, Manners and Physique, and Wonderful.

Buy this CD. If you don't like it right off, give it a fourth or even fifth listen before you send it to the dung heap. Any serious fan of Brit-post-punk should love it. Any fan of Adam's should know his roots. July 27, 2006

 I'm a friend of a friend, but you don't know me.
Adam Ant's first album is a do-it-yourself light punk, pre-new wave album. It is simple and straightforward with flashes of humor. It's unlike anything else he did that followed. As such, it's an okay debut as far as debut albums go, and it's just okay as far as Adam Ant's catalogue goes. There are few gems here on "Dirk Wears White Sox" in terms of melody and memorability. I actually prefer the truncated remixed version of "Cartrouble" at the end of disc. Aside from that, there's "Zerox" and "Friends". There are a few other close calls with "Cleopatra" and "Catholic Day", but overall you have to be a hardcore punk/Adam and the Ants fan to really appreciate this one.

The digital remastering is excellent, the packaging is digipak with photos you haven't seen before and an excellent graphics design concept that spans all the remasters unifying them perfectly. There are actually eight bonus tracks, not seven. At 71 minutes, I found this album to be slightly overlong in terms of listening to it all the way through.

Overall, a good beginning. January 29, 2006

 worth a listen
Definitely not like Kings of the Wild Frontier or anything after. At times it has the makings of a pure post punk album and other times reminds me of Trent Reznor(Whip in my Valise). It's not my favorite album but is definitely worth listening to. I would recommend that fans of Dismemberment Plan and Lou Reed give it a listen. October 25, 2005

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