X “Adult Books” b/w “We’re Desperate” 1978 Billy Zoom Music/Dangerhouse, unofficial reissue on red vinyl. The album Los Angeles, on which both “Adult Books” and “We’re Desperate” appeared, was released on this date, April 26th, 1980; the single released just about 40 years ago (June ‘78). “We’re Desperate” is one of my favorite tracks from the groundbreaking punk album, along with “Johnny Hit and Run Paulene” and the Doors cover “Soul Kitchen.” Allmusic says about Los Angeles “ X’s debut, Los Angeles, is considered by many to be one of punk’s all-time finest recordings, and with good reason. Most punk bands used their musical inability to create their own style, but X actually consisted of some truly gifted musicians, including rockabilly guitarist Billy Zoom, bassist John Doe, and frontwoman Exene Cervenka, who, with Doe, penned poetic lyrics and perfected sweet yet biting vocal harmonies. Los Angeles is prime X, offering such all-time classics as the venomous “Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not”…and two of their best anthems (and enduring concert favorites), ”Nausea“ and the title track [“Los Angeles”]. While they were tagged as a punk rock act from the get-go (many felt that this eventually proved a hindrance), X are not easily categorized. Although they utilize elements of punk’s frenzy and electricity, they also add country, ballads, and rockabilly to the mix.”