CRASS Penis Envy – Vinyl LP (black)

Pressing info : ? repress on black vinyl LP.

Penis Envy is Crass’ third album, released in 1981.

The albums name is a nod to some of Freud’s ideas concerning sexuality. This album marked a departure from the “macho, hardcore” sounds heard on previous Crass albums, featuring more complex musical arrangements, and exclusively female vocals (those of Joy De Vivre and Eve Libertine).

The album addressed issues of feminism and attacked institutions of “the system” such as marriage and sexual oppression.

The album was banned by the retailer HMV, and The Greater Manchester Police seized copies of it, along with other Crass albums and Dead Kennedys material, from Eastern Bloc record shop. Its owner, Frank Schofield, was charged with “Displaying obscene articles for publication for gain”. As well as this, the band Flux Of Pink Indians, Crass’ labels, and their publishing company were all charged on the grounds of the Obscene Publications Act.
The heavy costs incurred by this would eventually contribute to the band’s demise.

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