Crossing the Red Sea with The Adverts (1978)

Crossing the Red Sea with the Adverts is the debut studio album by English punk rock band the Adverts. It was released on 17 February 1978 by record label Bright.

Background

Crossing the Red Sea with the Adverts was recorded at Abbey Road Studios. The album title was coined by Jane Suck.

Release

The album was preceded by the single "No Time to Be 21", which reached No. 34 on the UK Singles Chart. Crossing the Red Sea with the Adverts reached No. 38 on the UK Albums Chart.

Critical reception

In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Dave Thompson called the album "a devastating debut" and "one of the finest albums not only of the punk era but of the 1970s as a whole". Trouser Press said that "in its own way", the album "is the equal of the first Sex Pistols or The Clash; a hasty statement that captures an exciting time".

Legacy

In March 2003, Mojo magazine ranked Crossing the Red Sea No. 17 in its list of the 50 greatest punk albums. The album featured in The Guardian's list "1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die".

Personnel

• The Adverts
• T. V. Smith – vocals
• Gaye Advert – bass guitar, vocals
• Howard Pickup – guitar, vocals
• Laurie Driver – drums
• Technical
• John Leckie – production
• Nicholas De Ville – design
• Martin Durrant – cover photography