Do It Yourself (Deluxe Edition)

The reggae lilt of "This Is What We Find," the manic funk of "Dance of the Screamers," and the sleazy soul of "Waiting for Your Taxi" all serve notice that the unique stylistic mix of Ian Dury's debut album remained in force on the follow-up, Do It Yourself. But this record still stands apart from its predecessor. Most overtly, the feel is far smoother and more sophisticated; New Boots & Panties sported a few punkish moments, but DIY moves past punk in some surprising directions. Without Dury's Cockney accent, the slinky "Inbetweenies" could be a lost Steely Dan track, and with some sweet falsettos in place of our man's gritty growl, it'd be possible to imagine "Sink My Boats" as a Supertramp outtake. Dury's pop penchant aside, the album is full of the hyper-witty wordplay and offbeat perspectives that made the man a legend. And the addition of contemporaneous (initially non-LP) hit singles like the devilish dance tune "Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick" and the funky ode to personal pleasures "Reasons to Be Cheerful, Pt. 3" as bonus cuts seals the deal on this particular package.