VARIOUS ARTISTS / The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1979)

It's almost always attributed to the Sex Pistols, but they'd had split before its composition. Johnny Rotten refused to participate in the project, so they took his vocals from demo sessions and laid them over newly rerecorded music tracks. It's a mess. It does feature Sid (who by that stage didn't give a shit about much of anything), Steve Jones and Paul Cook. They're joined by Ronnie Biggs and a bunch of other people that aren't the Sex Pistols doing some shameless instrumental covers. "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" Yes.

Songs of Note: Johnny B Goode; My Way

2 genuine swindles out of 5

SEX PISTOLS / Spunk (1977)

Originally a bootleg leaked about a month prior to the slicker sounding Never Mind the Bollocks album, Spunk is a collection of demos that eventually received an official release itself in various forms over the years. It's not as frantic as NMtB, and the vocals are sadly lacking the stylistic Lydon sneer in places, but the rawness and lack of production is appealing to some Pistols fans. It was pre-Sid, so has Glen Matlock on all bass parts. If you know NMtB well, you'll notice a few lyric changes had taken place before its eventual release. It's perhaps one for fans only.

Songs of Note: Nookie (Anarchy in The U.K); No Future (God Save the Queen)

3½ screwed up track titles out of 5

SEX PISTOLS / Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols (1977)

Do I even need to describe NMtB? It's the most famous 'Punk' album to come out of the U.K. scene. Surely everyone who wants to know, already knows... But for those that don't, it's a lot more Pop-friendly than your preacher may think. But that doesn't mean it lacks attitude. No, it has that in spades. Time hasn't diminished it.

Songs of Note: Anarchy in the U.K; Holiday in the Sun

5 ways to get what you want out of 5