For fans of old school British punk rock, The Best of the Vibrators is just as essential as a pair of Doc Martens boots. Sequenced non-chronologically, the compilation blasts off with “Automatic Lover” from the trio’s 1978 sophomore album V2 — it proved to be their first hit and landed them an appearance on Top Of the Pops. “Whips and Furs” from their 1977 debut album Pure Mania is so catchy, melodic and neatly produced that, by today’s standards, it would be categorized as power pop. “Baby Baby” from the same album is just as accessible. It serves as a perfect example of what punk rock was like before Margaret Thatcher’s conservative economic policy gave English punks something to rail against in 1979 (in much the same way that Ronald Reagan served as the anti-muse for many early-‘80s American punk bands). But the advent of disco gave all ‘70s punks a spitting target, as evidenced by the hilarious “Disco In Moscow.” With hyperactive rhythms and pogo-friendly guitars, “Judy Says (Knock You In the Head)” is a true punk standout.