Suzi Quatro (July 28 1973) – “A Lot of Noisy Nonsense” Feature – New Musical Express

This New Musical Express singles review page from July 1973 features Ian MacDonald’s critique of Suzi Quatro’s single “48 Crash,” headlined “A Lot of Noisy Nonsense.” The piece captures the sharp tone of early‑1970s British music journalism, where emerging glam‑rock acts were often met with both fascination and skepticism.

Publication: New Musical Express   Date: July 28 1973 Country: United Kingdom

THE STORY  

The review opens with MacDonald’s assessment of Suzi Quatro’s “48 Crash” (RAK Records), describing it as brash and energetic but dismissing it as “noisy nonsense.” The accompanying photograph shows Quatro performing live, bass guitar in hand, embodying her tough, leather‑clad image that helped define her early career.

The column also includes reviews of singles by Van Morrison (“Warm Love”), Al Green (“Here I Am – Come and Take Me”), Carole King

(“You Light Up My Life”), and Velvet Underground (“Sweet Jane”), which MacDonald names Single of the Week.

The page layout reflects the typical NME style of the era — dense text, bold headlines, and a mix of critical wit and cultural commentary. At the bottom are two advertisements: one for Nicky James’s single “I Guess I’ve Always Loved You” and another for Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett’s reissue of “Monster Mash.”

CONTEXT AND NOTES  

By mid‑1973, Suzi Quatro was breaking into the UK charts with her distinctive blend of glam‑rock attitude and hard‑driving sound. “48 Crash” followed her debut hit “Can the Can,” solidifying her reputation as one of the few female rock performers commanding mainstream attention.

Ian MacDonald’s review, though dismissive, reflects the critical tension surrounding glam‑rock’s theatricality and commercial appeal. This clipping illustrates how NME’s reviewers shaped public perception of new artists, often balancing enthusiasm for innovation with a sharp editorial edge. Quatro’s resilience and charisma would soon silence such skepticism, as she continued to dominate the charts throughout the decade.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS  

Event: Review of Suzi Quatro’s single “48 Crash” Era: 1973 – Glam Rock Breakthrough Period Tone: Critical, witty, and provocative Photography: Black‑and‑white live performance shot of Suzi Quatro playing bass

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