The Image Has Cracked is the debut studio album by English band Alternative TV. It was released in May 1978 by record label Deptford Fun City.
Contents
Recording and content
The album's studio tracks were recorded at Surrey Sound Studios in Leatherhead, Surrey, and the album's live tracks were recorded live at the 100 Club in London on 7 February 1978.
Jools Holland plays synthesiser and piano on two tracks on the album.
Reception
Trouser Press wrote: "Although the abstract stuff doesn't hold up so well, it's still an amazing document of a time and place." In his retrospective review, Ned Raggett of AllMusic called the album "an unfairly neglected classic from the late-'70s upheaval. Seizing on the promise of punk as being a new means of expression rather than a new set of musical rules to be adhered to, Perry, along with a solid-enough band, whip up a series of incendiary pieces that explore as much as they thrash [...] As an expression of going down defiant while punk became a new fashion, it's fierce and brilliant."
Personnel
Alternative TV
Mark Perry – vocals, guitar, production
Dennis Burns – bass guitar, production
Chris Bennett – drums, percussion, production
Additional personnel
Jools Holland – Moog synthesizer on "Alternatives", piano on "Viva La Rock 'n' Roll"
Kim Turner – "special assistance" rhythm guitar, piano
Technical
Chris Gray – engineering, production
Nigel Gray – engineering
Steve Angel – mastering
Jill Furmanovsky – cover design
Harry T. Murlowski – sleeve photography
Tony Stubbs – sleeve design (soapbox)