Good Vibrations: The Punk Singles Collection

Various Artists, “Good Vibrations: The Punk Singles Collection” (Anagram, 1994; original release 1978-1980)
Good Vibrations was a Belfast record store that stocked punk records early on, then ended up releasing stuff by the local talent. The ‘70s were the worst decade of Northern Ireland’s long sectarian war, and punk was one of the only things to bring kids from both sides together (sometimes under threat from the rival paramilitaries, each of which paranoiacally suspected punk of being disposed toward the other). The sheer sense of accomplishment from making this happen, and of finding an outlet to let out frustration and meet people (perhaps especially romantic partners) made for some of the most energetic, positive, alive music punk ever generated, rooted in early-to-mid-‘60s British Invasion melodic rock and roll, but with a raw drive and commitment that set it apart.
My favorite is 14 (the Moondogs, “Ya Don’t Do Ya”), which ranks with the greatest punk heartaches of the Jam or Buzzcocks, but 1, 7, 8, and 13 are nearly as good.