Ian Dury's debut studio album New Boots and Panties!! made a big splash upon release in September 1977. It was a broad stylistic work with a wide range of influences from pub rock to funk, disco and early rock and roll as well as British hall music. Most of the tunes are love songs with plenty of evocative character stories and tales of the working class folk of London's East End. It was often thought by fans to be the standout album of Dury's career.