From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!cornell!uw-beave!uw-june!eli Newsgroups: net.records Title: New Record Reviews Article-I.D.: uw-june.352 Posted: Thu Mar 31 16:54:31 1983 Received: Sat Apr 2 00:19:12 1983 Yet another batch of reviews . . . -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bananarama--Shy Boy (Don't It Make You Feel Good)--London Fugs--Greatest Hits Vol. 1--PVC Heaven 17--Heaven 17--Arista/Virgin The Jam--Beat Surrender--Polygram Nick Lowe--The Abominable Showman--Columbia Nile Rodgers--Adventures In The Land Of Good Groove--Mirage OMD--Dazzle Ships--Epic The Rockats--Make That Move--RCA Roxy Music--Musique Roxy--Warner Brothers Shakin' Stevens--Give Me Your Heart Tonight--Epic Sparks--Sparks In Outer Space--Atlantic The Three O'Clock--Baroque Hoedown--Frontier Pete Townshend--Scoop--Atco 20/20--Sex Trap--Thunderbolt 20/20--20/20--Enigma (Various Artists)--L.A. Rockabilly--Rhino -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bananarama--Shy Boy (Don't It Make You Feel Good)--London This has been released to radio stations as a 12" single, with two different (lengthed) versions of the same song. Both are around seven to eight minutes. This single continues in the fashion of their earlier singles, with a very rhythmic, dance oriented sound. Something though makes this music much more listenable for me than most of the other DOR (disco oriented rock) that has been coming around. Watch out for Bananarama's LP, which should be in the stores by today. Fugs--Greatest Hits Vol. 1--PVC One of the first satirical punk bands. Still fresh after all these years. Heaven 17--Heaven 17--Arista/Virgin Disco trash. Sorry to those who are fans. The Jam--Beat Surrender--Polygram This is apparently the very last studio sessions from The Jam. None of it is nearly as impressive as the previous EP, "The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had to Swallow)." There is a reworking of "War" as a funk'n'chorus number, that doesn't seem to have the punch that the "Pill" version had (then again, neither measure up to the version by DOA). Plus three or four other new songs, none of which made much of an impression on me. Nick Lowe--The Abominable Showman--Columbia Opinion seems to be somewhat split on this. I really don't think Lowe has done anything to compare with his earlier work (both with the Brinsley's, and his early solo work, "Jesus of Cool," and assorted singles), but this is not bad. Lowe seems to be sort of the Paul McCartney of 'new wave.' He keeps cranking out very catchy songs, often with some wit to the lyrics and hook to the melody -- but not truly inspired. A pleasant enough LP for Lowe fans. Nile Rodgers--Adventures In The Land Of Good Groove--Mirage From the leader of Chic comes a funk album that I really like listening to. Maybe I've just been exposed to more funk lately, and am developing a taste for it... but when I heard this it really caught my ear. It's dance music >and< listening music. Listen for Rachel Sweet on background vocals. (Also prepare yourself for the new David Bowie LP, produced by Rogers). OMD--Dazzle Ships--Epic One of my favorite technopop groups. Luckily they've decided to keep moving on and experimenting. More than just music, this album is programming... a mix of music and sound and spoken word. My favorite track on the disc in a few minutes of tape loops of various phrases punctuated by the time-lady counting along. Plenty of catchy techno-tunes as well. The Rockats--Make That Move--RCA Don't be fooled by the name or the tattoos on their arms -- this band is not a rockabilly band. There are two rockabilly influ- enced numbers on the album, but for the most part the tracks are just-ok pop. To quote a friend, "This band is The Copycats." Roxy Music--Musique Roxy--Warner Brothers Four live tracks show Roxy Music in good form. Long and pretty, the only thing wrong with this disc is that you have to turn it over too often! Shakin' Stevens--Give Me Your Heart Tonight--Epic Stevens has been carrying the roots-rockabilly banner in England for a long time now (long before the Stray Cats, et. al.). Remem- ber 'Let It Rock'? Anyhow, lately he seems to be watering down his approach with orchestral background -- which really softens the punch for me. He's got it, but he doesn't use it. Sparks--Sparks In Outer Space--Atlantic I've lost count as to how many albums this band has put out... none have them have brought them much fame in this country (they're very big in England). Unfortunately this LP doesn't sound like the one to break them. The single ('Cool Places') done as a duet with Jane Wielden of the Go-Go's could make some chart action, but overall the LP suffers from great concepts and lyrics set to rather uninteresting music and performances. Maybe it's just subtle and I need to listen to it some more. The Three O'Clock--Baroque Hoedown--Frontier Ok, ok, I know I've reviewed this at least twice now, but I'm >still< listening to this EP, and I want everyone else who might be susceptible to new-age-psychedelic-pop to seek this record out and listen to it. Pete Townshend--Scoop--Atco From Mr. Townshend's private reserve come the "little demo tapes" that he made to demonstrate songs to the band, or just for fun. Four sides of terrific material. The voodoo version of 'Magic Bus' is great. 20/20--Sex Trap--Thunderbolt 20/20--20/20--Enigma The second disc listed is a three song EP put out by the band after the album. It seems they added a keyboard player, and wanted to remix some of the songs on the album. The EP contains two remixes (with keyboards added), and one new song, "Jack's Got A Problem." Last time I was in the record store I noticed that the LP has been reissued with the two remixes replacing the original tracks, plus the new track. So confusing. Anyway, a good pop band, greatly improved by the addition of keyboards. The LP isn't that strong as a whole, while the three song EP (which may or may not be commercially available) is outstanding. (Various Artists)--L.A. Rockabilly--Rhino A collection of now-date Los Angeles rockabilly bands. Personally I think the Blasters' albums are better (esp. their live EP), but for those who need more modern rockabilly, this is a good buy.