Goodbye, Poly

Those of you who follow this blog's Facebook Page or Twitter account saw two announcements yesterday: one, that this week's NW4NW post was being postponed to today; and two, that there had been an unconfirmed rumour that Punk legend Poly Styrene had passed away just three weeks after the release of her comeback album.

I had hoped to make this week's NW4NW a celebration of that album, Generation Indigo.  Less than a week ago I received a nifty package containing a copy of the album on vinyl, a limited edition CD issue housed in a beautiful book that also included five prints of Poly's graphic art, and a pin and tote bag each sporting Poly's logo.  You know that I have been talking about her comeback and the impending release of this album over the past few months, since it was first announced with the release of her holiday single "Black Christmas" last November, so you can imagine how excited I was to have the album in hand!  It has been on high rotation here in Ruttville since its arrival. The album certainly lives up to expectations, and I wanted to review it for you here.

Sadly, the rumour of Poly's passing was confirmed this morning.  At the far too young age of 53, Poly Styrene (born Marianne Joan Elliott-Said) fell victim to breast cancer.  She had made the shocking announcement of her diagnosis on her own website and on her Facebook page in February; two months later, she is gone.

In lieu of a NW4NW entry this week, I'd rather simply take a moment to say goodbye, Poly. I still want to tell you how great the album is, but I don't have the words right now - I am shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of one of the more creative and trailblazing female voices in all of Punk Rock/New Wave/whatever-the-hell-you-wanna-call-this-stuff.  She will be missed.