Conference marvin::uk_music

MEGA CITY FOUR : There Goes My Happy Marriage EP

As hors d'oeuvre I'll start with one of my current faves. Since their two
astounding previous singles, 'Less Than Senseless' and 'Awkward Kid', I've
been watching out for every new release from them.

And this 4-track EP is no disappointment at all; I consider songs like
'Finish' or 'Thanx' as classics, i.e. in the same class than the best of
'London Calling' or 'Another Music In A Different Kitchen' (well nearly).
'Severance' is also excellent, concise and efficient. 'Square Through A
Circle' (a much developped theme these days) whose guitar line is strongly
reminiscent of Pixies' 'The Holiday Song', honourably ends this great EP.

I don' want here to play the role of the person in the know giving wise advices,
but MC4 really deserve to be listened to.

Christophe.

NEW FAST AUTOMATIC DAFFODILS : Music Is Shit EP

I had not thought much of their previous (first ?) single 'Lions', finding it
rather boring, and thus had almost classified NFAD (great name though) in the
"tiresome" category. That's why I was not expecting much of this EP, with this
title looking like a PMRC warning message.

Well I was wrong. It's a great piece, especially the excellent 'Beam Me Up',
with its WEDDING PRESENT sounding guitars (don't believe I mention the WP to
attract your attention.) On the B-side things start to worsen a little and 
plunge into a sort of psychedelia whose height is reached with the three 
versions of the completely wobbly 'Music Is Shit', a masterpiece of minima-
lism (another tribute to Elvis ?)

I've read somewhere that a new single is already out, but I've never heard it.

Christophe.

SEE SEE RIDER : See See Rider EP

See See Rider are on Lazy Records, just like Birdland, but seem to be less
famous than these ones. They know how to write decent songs though, while
nothing in Birdland's EP (nothingness ?) seems to deserve more than 10 sec of
attention. So why ? Maybe See See Rider should get a peroxyde look and destroy 
amps at every concert to get noticed ? I don't know, but one thing is certain, 
I don't like Birdland and I truly hate radio DJs who play these blond 
wock'n'woll midgets' inanities (it happened once again this morning...the day
started bad.)

"Hey you're here to talk about See See Rider, aren't you ?"

Yes, and as I'm sure you're all eager for info about that group, I'll stop this
ridiculous Birdland bit.

OK, See See Rider have medium-to-slow tempo songs, a very ample sound 
(sometimes reminding me of the House Of Love) with a hint of influences from
across the ocean. The result is very pleasing and restful, especially on 
songs like 'See See' or 'She Sings Alone'. I grant them a good 7.

Christophe.

THE CHARLOTTES : Love In The Emptiness

"What ? Another group with a blonde female singer ? We've had enough of these
 around lately, don't you think ?"
Well, seems that the Charlottes turn up when the craze is over. All the 
ingredients are here though : a rather low-pitched voice surrounded by the
usual buzz of guitars, and a parsimonious rhythm section. The effect is
good on this single (maybe because it has only three tracks, while on the
'Lovehappy' LP it was all getting a bit monotonous in the end).

So a positive appraisal for 'Love In The Emptiness'; however, the Charlottes
are still a second division band compared to the Darling Buds or the late
Primitives.

Christophe.

LUSH : Mad Love EP

Oh it's hard to find words to describe this feeling, so let's say it peremp-
torily : this is the perfect single; the single that justifies this topic.
Well I could talk about 'ethereal harmonies', 'immaterial beauty', but what's
the sense in that ?
Who Lush are and where they come from I hardly know. But after two months of
intensive listening of 'Mad Love', I'm still under the spell. Maybe I'm just
the easily-impressed type ?

"Hey, look at that, it seems that superlatives are in these days."

Christophe.

THE EDSEL AUCTIONEER : Our New Skin

If I say once again this is a perfect single, would you believe me ? People who
see the Holy Light more than twice a week aren't much credible, are they ?
Well, never mind. 'Our New Skin' is a perfect song, with a simple but superb 
melodies, and crystalline guitars. It makes me feel enthusiastic the same way 
last year's marvel, The Field Mice's 'Sensitive', did.
The end of the tunnel is near. How else could it be ?

Christophe.

THE BRIDEWELL TAXIS : Give In

The Bridewell Taxis were rather unknown around here since last month when they
played in Paris (I missed that concert) and thus got a little airplay.

I must admit that 'Give In' and especially 'Whole Damn Nation' aren't bad songs
at all (well, they don't make me wake up in the middle of the night to listen
to them), but for a newly formed band, the Bridewell Taxis somewhat lack
freshness and spontaneity. One thing worries me then : if they already sound 
like this when they start, what will they sound like in two years time ?
They may have the talent to become the new Happy Mondays (same partly dance-
floor-orientated sound, same rasping voice) but sorry I have a preference for
budding Buzzcocks.

However, if you like the aforementioned Mondays, this record's for you.

Christophe.

ANOTHER SUNNY DAY : You Should All Be Murdered

Ref.: SARAH 22.

Morrissey has spawned a lot of imitators; parts of them are good while others
are not so good. Listening to that single, I'd be inclined to put Another Sunny 
Day in the first category. The idea of filiation to Morrissey comes above all 
from the similarities between the voices. Apart from that, 'You Should All Be 
Murdered' is the kind of magic pop number the good fairy Sarah issues with an 
exemplary regularity.

Christophe.

ACTION PAINTING ! : These Things Happen

Ref.: SARAH 28.

If 'These Things Happen' is pleasant, the real gem has to be the b-side 'Boy
Meets World'. This song, with a sad guitar and an uneasy voice, and despite
a miserable recording quality, is charming and touching.
All I can find to be added to this is that emotion isn't always where large 
placards point it out. Welcome to the intimate world of Sarah records.

Christophe.

THAT PETROL EMOTION : Sensitize

'Sensitize' is a very good tune, but I suppose everybody knew that already. So
I'll just mention that the first time I heard it on the radio, I would have
sworn it was The Beautiful South (there's a noticeable trend towards uniformity
these days.) On the flip side, there's a fruitless attempt to turn 'Groove 
Check' (off the previous 'End Of...' LP) into a bearable song.

Christophe.

THE WOOD CHILDREN : Sweets For The Blind EP

The respective styles of the Wonder Stuff and the Wood Children being pretty
similar, how come the first ones are famous while the great majority of you
has probably never heard of the Wood Children ? Maybe the quality of the 
lyrics, but that's a factor I can't really appreciate. 

In fact, it's without doubt a matter of proportion of good songs : the problem
with the Wood Children records is that you have to attack them with a pair of
secateurs to separate the wheat from the chaff and what you have left (if you
keep the wheat of course) is barely 30 %. So was their LP 'Shopaholic' and so
is this 4-track EP. 

'Sweets For The Blind' is a very well-made song with a hot brass section (much
more thrilling than a certain empty single entitled 'Circlesquare' with its
boring violin, if I can allow myself to say that.) But as expected, the rest of
the EP is a bit boring. I suppose it is one of their trademarks.

Christophe.

THE BRILLIANT CORNERS : Love It Lost It

The Brilliant Corners, another scoria of the late (and missed) Madness, have
always been considered as promising, but, like a couple of others like the Close
Lobsters, never got very famous, even when the song was brilliant ('Delilah
Sands' two years ago.) I'm afraid they're not gonna make it either with this
single, the first two songs (the title track and 'White Gates') being parti-
cularly insignificant. Things get better afterwards with 'I Cried' and the
excellent ending track 'Loves Like This', where I finally found back this light
and flowery pop that used to make them so delightful. 

However, I think that unless they decide to turn to house music (a common shift
nowadays it seems) the Brilliant Corners are doomed to stay in their current
almost anonymous status.

Christophe.

ULTRA VIVID SCENE : Staring At The Sun

It's not much recommended to stare in a too prolonged way at the sun, and I 
should add that it's the same with the sleeve of this single, which is somewhat
"rich" in colours. The music isn't indigent either. I consider 'Staring At The
Sun' as the stereotype of the 'ephemeral' kind, that is an excellent song that
gets airplay for a week or two before the record is put in the archives due to
general public indifference. Only the 3% people interested seek the record.
I like 'Staring at The Sun' very much (don't ask me why and you avoid another
interminable and unconvincing explanation); so I am the happy owner of one of 
the 200 copies (personal estimation) the 12" will sell in this country. 
A small victory, isn't it ?

Christophe. 

THE JOYCE McKINNEY EXPERIENCE : Cuddle This

I'm not going to abuse of superlatives for this one, although it does not
deserve 'inferlatives' either. The cover pictures an angry child raising his
fist (like on this famous Lp of this famous Irish band) and this suits the
contents (seems there's some social criticism here.) The music is rather fast, 
and the whole thing strongly reminds me the late Vice Squad, that featured punk
egeria Becky Bondage, hoping this makes sense to you (don't believe I'm having 
fun including the most obscure references/influences possible - both groups 
really sound similar.)

This record sure won't change the face of the world, neither will it disturb
the peace in Leamington Spa, but I find it pleasant to hear simple stuff such
as this once in a while.

Christophe.

THE SOUP DRAGONS : Mother Universe

When they started, the Soup Dragons have successively released four luminous
singles ('Whole Wide World', 'Hang-Ten!', 'Head Gone Astray', 'Can't Take No 
More') that I have cherished for a long time. It was like a blitzkrieg sound
in the service of high-fun melodies. Alas this state of grace didn't last very
long (blitz isn't it?) : as early as the release of the first album could be 
observed the first signs of breathlessness.

Today, as the 'Love God' LP is out, the Soup Dragons, like many other bands,
have changed their style and now seem to leer at clubland success. I mean,
there's as much difference between 'Hang-Ten' and 'Mother Universe' as there
is between 'One Hundred Words' and 'Hello' or between 'Gentle Tuesday' and
'Loaded'. 'Mother Universe' is not a bad song (12" also features a 'Love Dub'
and a 'Solar Dub' version, that is a total 16 minutes of the same song, but
you can listen it through without getting sick of it) but it seems so far
away from this retrospectively golden past.

You see, it makes me feel like an old, bald, bearded, nostalgic type. So I've
made up my mind and have decided to have a logic behaviour. Thus I'm going to
leave DEC, to leave Paris, and to settle in a remote place in the South of
France where I'm going to breed goats, play guitar at sundown and make a
living by selling home-made cheese and pottery. And I'll come back to 
civilization when hardcore is the hip thing.

Christophe.

Christophe, nearly each of your reviews is a classic! I'm reading them if no
one else. I'm surprised that up until review 10 or 11 did you bother talking
about  a  b-side.  Some  of  my  favorite  songs  come  off obscure b-sides.
Unfortunately  I'm a CD-junkie now and don't collect too many 12" singles or
7"-ers  for  that  matter but please keep it up...Needless to say, I've just
heard  the  UVS  single  that  you mentioned and I thought it was their best
thing  I've  heard  besides  "Mercy Seat"...seen 'em twice, this may make me
wanna see them a 3rd time...Ramblin' on, Ed

    What's the rule on this?  Do we have to review up and comin/new
    singles, or can we do old ones that we think are worth inflicting on
    others (but no Madonna).
    
    
    matty

when has any rules affected what you enter usually ... btw do you take the bus?

    RE-1  GREBO::GURU(JOSH)  Do you have a pointy beard?

    SCREEMING CUSTARD : Tracey/Nakid David
    (Pauls Mums Front Room Records)
    
    A gem, which I picked up at the weekend in Harrow Our Price. Screeming
    Custard, as you might guess, are a fun band not to be taken too
    seriously. This record can be summed up as "Altered Images meet the
    Wedding Present", squeaky schoolgirl lyrics backed by that familiar
    indie guitar/bass sound, the one that makes you turn up the volume real
    LOUD. Screeming Custard won't get in the charts with this (only 1,000
    issued) but I for one will be back for a second helping.
    
    Dave  

    The sleeve notes on the Screeming Custard! single invite you to write
    in and say what you think of the record. After playing it a few times I
    thought I might as well (having nothing better to do at the time), so I
    wrote a longer, more considered review and sent it off.
    
    Well, yesterday morning I got a 4 page letter from Giblets McGee
    (guitarist), and a pile of promotional material (a collection of all of
    their press cuttings), badges, and details about future "Pauls Mums
    Front Room" releases. 
    
    Great stuff.
    
    Dave

    Frazier Chorus - Cloud 8.
    
    To start with I already like F.C. so this is biased.  I got the 12",
    the Paul Oakenfold remixes and was not impressed with the a-side mix. 
    It was all 98 BPM bass and drum machines, which isn't exactly their
    style, more P Oakenfold's.  Only a bit of singing too.
    
    The b-side (the raid mix) let the song come out a bit more, while still
    staying in line with the Soul II Soul rhythm, and therefore playable in
    your average London club.
    
    The lyrics are quite clever, the idea being that cloud 8 is the place
    you can wait before you get to cloud 9!!!  They are spoken in the same
    style as the other F.C. songs I have, and it's because of this that I'm
    sure it won't chart.  His voice just isn't commercial enough to make
    it big, though I think F.C. are great as they are.
    
    
    matty

MY BLOODY VALENTINE : Glider EP

New offensive on the singles front with another batch of reviews as quickly
written as they'll be forgotten. First item on the dissection table : the latest
My Bloody Valentine.

Well, I find this EP very pleasant and above all very varied. Styles range 
from XTC vintage 1985 (on 'Don't Ask Me Why') to Primal Scream C86-period 
('Off Your Face') through My Bloody Valentine 1988 (the deranged but yet 
excellent 'Soon'). Unfortunately along there's this nightmare called 'Glider' 
(Sonic Youth 1997?) I usually don't mind when people have fun torturing guitars,
but here it's Klaus Barbie with six strings, i.e. unbearable.

Anyhow this is a minor point and I don't mean to put down one of the few groups
from Ireland that doesn't come up with this usual trite folk-rock, which often 
means in fact 10% folk for the roots & 90% rock for the $.

Needless to say, this is a strictly personal subjective opinion.

Christophe.

RIDE : Play EP

'We have chosen the Police coz it's a name the public will remember' Stewart
Copeland - in substance - 1982. 

If it's true that names like 'My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult' or 'When People
Were Shorter And Lived Near The Water' (two of my favourites) are sure-fire
commercial suicides, I can't bring myself to believe that a group with a 
humdrum name such as 'Ride' can be completely honest. But malgr� moi I have to
admit that this EP has excellent moments, especially 'Like A Daydream'; and a 
classic, the insane and addictive 'Furthest Sense'.

So don't forget the name : Ride.

Christophe.

NORTHSIDE : Shall We Take A Trip

'Shall we take a trip down memory lane
 Head in the clouds into the acid rain
 Time means nothing I can smell the trees
 Chase that rainbow in the summer breeze
 Sing LSD'

Ha ha. Facts : the sleeve features a huge apple on which is written NORTH SIDE 
(not very surprising). On the A side, there's a (rather good) song named 'Shall
We Take A Trip', on which the singer seems to vaunt the virtues of LSD (please 
don't tell Mum). On the AA side, there's a B side song called 'Moody Places', 
which is pretty similar, only a bit longer.

Northside have been introduced over here as a group having the same style and
dancefloor-orientated sound than Happy Mondays. Dancefloor? This perplexes me
whereas I'm not sure this single is able to provoke dance steps (or any steps 
whatsoever), even on bovines suffering from B.S.E. (then on spaced out teenagers
maybe ?)

General impression : OK but nothing imo to justify the current hype. Just 
another Factory catalogue reference (FAC 268).

Christophe.

THE MOCK TURTLES : Lay Me Down

The general mood seems to get more and more "laidback" in indieland these days,
and this single is another example of that fact. I mean, things like Candy Flip
covering 'Strawberry Fields Forever' (I really enjoyed it - let me pause a few
seconds so I can hear my street credibility crashing on the floor) were exces-
sively cool, but 'Lay Me Down' goes even further, in the sense that it is slow
slow slow and has absolutely NO relief. There's so little life and emotion in 
'Lay Me Down' and 'Can You Dig It' (the B side, which has no relation to the 
irritating sequence of bip bip of the same name made by PWEI - credibility now 
far below zero sir) that while listening to it, you feel like being in a 
pressurized cabin or having a walk on planet Mars.

So a lethargic record, totally suited to my hazy brain, since I've been 
listening to it 3 or 4 times per day for a few weeks. Blank generation.

Christophe.

THE CHILLS : Heavenly Pop Hit

There's been a lot a fuss over the New Zealand scene for a few years, described
as the new pop eldorado or something. I usually feel suspicious of assertions
such as "I've seen the future of rock'n'roll and it comes from South Dakota" 
for example.

This single is the first NZ product I've ever heard and it's not bad if not very
original. It exhales the same perfume as the Lightning Seeds' 'Pure' (the same 
late 60's academism?) But I wouldn't call that song a heavenly pop hit though. 
On the other hand, I would call the two songs on the B-side a waste of vinyl.

Christophe.

FRAZIER CHORUS : Cloud Eight

I must have missed a couple of episodes in the story of Frazier Chorus, 'cause
last I heard of them, it was two or three years ago, and they were just a small
band on 4AD. It seems that things have changed now, they are on Virgin and they
even issue remix version singles (by Paul Oakenfold, an habitu�).

'Cloud Eight' is imo an excellent song, whose style is pretty similar to
'Heavenly Pop Hit' (cf former review); yet Frazier Chorus brilliantly succeed
where the Chills almost fail. 

I enjoy that song so much that I even lent an ear to the remix 12" (where have
my principles gone?) Well, nothing much to say about it. The 'Raid mix' is 
already on the CD single, and it's OK, Paul's done a good job (but you feel like
it could last ten more minutes). And the other mix... well, I must be turning 
deaf, I couldn't tell any difference. Makes me wonder whether I have actually 
turned the record.

Christophe.

PS : I know there's already been a - much more complete - review of this single,
     but I couldn't help adding my narrow point of view.

KITCHENS OF DISTINCTION : Quick As Rainbows

It's a delicate situation talking about a minor subject like music while the 
majority of you is being doubtlessly more preoccupied by essential events such 
as the cow disease, the Eurotunnel death toll or England out of the Mondiale.
Especially when the group in question is Kitchens Of Distinction, which once had
their week of celebrity (i.e. a couple of articles in NME or MM) but seem today
completely out of fashion.

Well I don't have the makings of a missionary, so instead of preaching in the
desert, I'll just quickly say (and in a low voice) that 'Quick As Rainbows' is 
another excellent song (KOD have imo taken the torch left by Echo & the 
Bunnymen) and that the three live tracks on the flip side make me want to see
them on stage. But I suppose I do not have the makings of a salesman either.

Christophe.

THE ASSOCIATES : Fever

This should be called 'tribute to a cult group'. The Associates are back, and
even though Billy MacKenzie is alone now (Alan Rankine has settled now somewhere
in Belgium), the famous (er... I guess unique is more suitable) Associates 
touch is still present here. 

'Fever' does not reach the heights of 'Party Fears Two' or 'Take Me To The 
Girl', but imo it's brilliant all the same. And 'Groovin With Mr Bloe' is a
delicious instrumental (cover of an early-seventies hit), performed here in
this outdated style (reminds me of Ultravox circa 'Astradyne' and the dark days
of Tubeway Army) nobody has dared resume ever since.

Christophe.

THE EDSEL AUCTIONEER : Stickleback

Second Edsel Auctioneer single in my personal census, and still another 
astounding outcome, for the same reasons than the former 'Our New Skin' :
a catchy melody and great guitars. But I already reviewed 'Our New Skin' and
I would not like to waste your time with a rehash.

However, the Edsel Auctioneer deserve more than a few lines quickly scamped, for
they don't choose the easy way with this bare style, miles away from the 
institutionalized superficiality (warning : subjective considerations follow).
I mean, just as in movies where special effects often mean a succession of
technical feats placed here to hide the plot's poverty, so in music, use and
abuse of synthesizers and other additional hi-tech gadgets often opportunely 
hide the weakness of the melody (if ever there's one); and the current remixes
epidemic (in my eyes a remix is generally the dilution over more than 8 minutes
of something that already seemed hollow over 3 minutes) proves that it's much 
easier to impress (through a display of technique) than to move (unfortunately
there's no recipe nor formula for emotion). 

Well, at last this is one of the numerous deep thoughts I had last Saturday
night, and amazingly I recalled that one the morning after (for I usually
forget them as the ethylic haze melts away). In fact, that's scary cause I
may come back with loads of this bar philosophy...

BTW there were only 1,700 copies released; but both 'Our New Skin' and 
'Stickleback' can be found on a mini-LP entitled 'Voice Of The Harrolds'
(also features B-side of 'Our New Skin' called 'Strung'). Go out and get
it boy.

Christophe.

THE BARDOTS : Shine! EP

This is not exactly a new record (autumn 1989) but as it was released on the
improbable Norwich label Wilde Club Records, it's been pretty difficult for me
to find it. But it was worth the wait : 'Sad Anne' is a lovely melancholy Sarah-
like ballad; 'Summerhouse', with its obvious Doors accents, is very pleasant, 
and so is 'It Could Never Happen To Us'; however, the one I prefer is the 
swinging and vitaminized 'Bite The Apple' that opens the B side.

Well now I'm afraid I'm gonna end up once again with the usual 'This EP is 
excellent and highly recommendable' routine. Maybe should I review a couple 
of Elton John (TM) singles in order to stop this stream of praises.

Christophe.

THE WOULD BE'S : I'm Hardly Ever Wrong

I don't like this title, since it looks to me like a quote from this cute
nuisance I'm so often with these days (whereas I seem to be always wrong, you 
know the usual drivel, and I fear she'll be able to prove it if she ever comes 
across these reviews...) But that doesn't mean 'I'm Hardly Ever Wrong' a bad 
song. In fact, this is one of the best things I've heard during the last months
indeed. A clean sound, a pretty voice, both strongly evocative of All About Eve.

All this seriously deteriorates on the flip side, with the highly dull 'I Want 
To Say What Goes Without Saying', which is a pale copy of the little missed 
'Moonlight Shadow'. Closing track 'There Is There Are That's All' is an utter 
horror, the kind of music you'd expect to hear in a fun fair. It won't make me
push anybody down the stairs, though.

Christophe.

THE POPINJAY'S : Please Let Me Go

Juvenile pop : refreshing and stirring. However, the Popinjay's certainly aren't
remarkably original people (Popinjay's = Darling Buds + a small layer of 
electronic). Recommended to those who fancy this genre (I do).

Christophe.

THE POPGUNS : Someone You Love

Reviews pass by but the landscape does not change; once again, this group 
features a girl on vocals backed by the inevitable gang of boys (here main
attraction is drummer Shaun Charman, formerly of the Wedding Present).

The Popguns first single, 'Waiting For The Winter', was charming and bouncing.
'Someone You Love' seems to be in comparison a pretty weak follow-up. But on 
the flip side 'Those Other Things' is far better; great guitars that strongly 
recall - guess who? - the Wedding Present. 

It is a pity that the poor Wendy has this piercing and squeaky voice which 
revolves around the tune without ever really finding it, and that's somewhat 
painful to hear. She certainly doesn't give Andrea Bud or Wendy James any 
sleepless nights singing like this.

Christophe.

THE DARLING BUDS : Tiny Machine

Talking about the Buds, here's their new single (by the way). Their last
release dates back several months, but I suspect few of you have lost sleep
in the unbearable wait. In fact, the Darling Buds' popularity is declining now
(it's a long time since Andrea dying her hair would have resulted in full pages
coverage in the music press). The reason certainly isn't related to the music,
for they didn't change it one iota : 'Tiny Machine' is exactly what you'd expect
from a DB single. But you see, you have to be selective because the gap between
birth and death is short and there are maybe better things than this single for 
its soundtrack.

Christophe.

THE BOLLWEEVILS : Talk To Me

To have it done with the Female Vocalists section, here are the lesser known
Bollweevils. Last but not least, because 'Talk To me' is a great song on which 
Sarah's voice is beautiful and often poignant; the whole is something my small 
set of words can't describe (well, it's not the singing of the mermaids yet).

On the B side there's another pearl entitled 'It Cheers Me Considerably'.
Voice + acoustic guitar, I'm melting.

Christophe.

THE ORCHIDS : Something For The Longing

Back to Sarah records for a few more 7", all including the traditional postcard
(that is an always off-centered photograph in the shades of purple of some
monument or street of Bristol).

The Orchids, compared with newcomers such as Action Painting (cf a former
review) or Gentle Despite (cf next review) look like pillars of the label;
they have released an impressive amount of records (5 singles and a 10" - i.e.
loads in the label context). I won't say that all of this is sheer genius, so 
I've selected for you this single showing the Orchids at their top; the title
track, for example, is altogether pleasant and cheerful.

Well, these singles aren't milestones in the music history, rather little 
nuggets of instant pop.

Christophe.

GENTLE DESPITE : The Darkest Blue EP

Also on Sarah records, Gentle Despite yet don't play the same spirited pop
than their labelmates, rather a sort of aquatic music that quietly flows out;
limpid and smooth. A mellow drum puts in a brief appearance on one track though;
but it soon fades away and the flow can resume, gently and linearly.

As I wake up, I realize it's a wonderful thing that a label such as Sarah 
exists, because I wonder where else lunatic dreamers like Gentle Despite could
find shelter.

Christophe.

HEAVENLY : I Fell In Love Last Night

As nobody complains, I carry on with Sarah releases. I know nothing of Heavenly,
except that they are girls posse who perfectly assimilated Phil Spector's Wall 
Of Sound. 'I Fell In Love Last Night' mixes Shangri-La's vocal harmonies and an
indie-sounding guitar, and is the kind of tune you find yourself humming while 
taking a shower. But then you turn the record and oh! what a surprise! 'Over And
Over' is another rejoicing track; the guitar has been borrowed from the Beach 
Boys surfware, and it's a delight. I'm impatiently awaiting the follow-up.

Christophe.

FRIENDS : The First Day Of Spring

The Friends are on holiday in the country and send us as a postcard this single
full of pastoral charm. If the title track is rather common, the rest is simply
beautiful; 'I'll Never See You', 'Wanting' and especially 'As Years Go By' are 
classics.

Well for once I won't attempt the usual otiose description (good news isn't it?)
I'll just say it reminds me of (among others) Orange Juice, Lotus Eaters, Pale 
Fountains, Aztec Camera, that is the finest of UK pop in the first half of the 
decade.

This single might not be an easy record to find (label is the little known 
Summerhouse Records located in Stockton-on-Tees), but if you enjoy "diving for 
pearls", this one is worth it.

Christophe.

THE SANDKINGS : Circles

The sleeve design is a masterpiece of psychedelia artwork : loud colours, 
spirals everywhere, well the complete kit. But the decor is not everything,
there's also noise inside and this one leaves a straight guy like me a bit cold.
'Circles' and 'Kissable' are long and ponderous; 'Need To Know' is a bit better
but not very thrilling anyway. All this is stylistic composition to me.

Never mind, I must get my my hands on one of their T-shirts (the one with this
lovely cover on it), and thus insure myself a hip dude look on the beach this
summer. Ain't that the most important?

Christophe.

THE ASPHALT RIBBONS : Good Love

"Since the Carpets are successful, let's use their sound too" must have said
the Asphalt Ribbons; for there's on 'Good Love' exactly the same organ part than
on 'Joe' (but any child of two could play these three chords on his Bontempi 
anyhow). 'Good Love' certainly isn't bad at all, but this organ line uselessly 
sprinkled throughout the song somehow spoils the global effect.

So the best thing to do is to promptly take refuge on the flip side, for it's
much better there, especially the superb 'The Day Started Bad', which oozes 
melancholy and disarray and is unexpectedly evocative of a certain american 
ambience (Chris Isaak, or X and its sad moments). Certainly the kind of song a 
Tennessee Williams character would listen to, lonely in his motel room, before 
swallowing barbiturates.

Christophe.

GOODBYE MISTER MACKENZIE : Blacker Than Black

"You know how I feel - Yeah it's blacker than black"

Brrrr... It's not really the festive ambience at Goodbye Mister Mackenzie's,
rather macabre and disillusioned (the chorus sums it up). This is not the kind 
of record to be prescribed to when you're having existential problems. Well, 
that's relating to the lyrics. The music is less gloomy if not really merry 
though.

I personally find the whole great, but the essential is in the listener's head.

Christophe.

POWER OF DREAMS : 100 Ways To Kill A Love

Wow... A slap on my face. I had never heard of Power Of Dreams before (seems
they come from Ireland) and I would have missed something if I had decided to
stop my music-related activities before coming across "100 Ways ...", for this
song is brilliant. Witty lyrics (for what I understand), a turbo beat and a
noteworthy melody, this is for once a group that doesn't distort the meaning
of the word 'Power' (remember Blyth Power? or the ludicrous Power Station? 
if not then don't worry about it).

In my ceaseless search for reference marks, I've found an obvious one : 'Only
Losers Take The Bus' by the Fatima Mansions, and the parallel is not solely 
drawn for geographical reasons. BTW there are three other tracks on the 12", 
all of them are OK but yet in the shadow of "100 Ways ...".

Christophe.

NED'S ATOMIC DUSTBIN : The Ingredients EP

"Manchester, so much to answer for" they claim on 'Aim'. I dunno if they are 
Mancs, but they are brilliant nonetheless. There's no need of an instruction
manual nor a chemical preparation to enjoy this staggering and quintessential
EP. A punky sound for could-be anthems, I've played these four hectic tracks to
death (I can't say the same about all the stuff I happen to hear). It makes it
hard to believe that in the meantime masses are wasting their time (and money)
on giant rip-offs such as the menopaused Stones and their current European tour
when energy and fun are obviously here.

Well, looks like I've seen the light once again.

Christophe.

CARTER THE UNSTOPPABLE SEX MACHINE : Rubbish

Well it's about time I confess this : I'm flagrantly simulating when I pretend 
I'm feeling interested in lovely ballads; the honest truth is that I've never 
really recovered from the discharge I got listening to the Pistols, the Damned 
and the Buzzcocks in my early years. Genuine aural satisfaction for me is when 
adrenalin rises, eardrums twist, brain fuses blow, that is when I can follow my 
bent for headbanging/pogoing.

So back to nature with this frantic three-track EP. Carter is a duet of numeric
age punks, already noticed with their astounding '101 Damnations' LP (insert
enthusiastic onomatopoeia here) and their 'Sheriff Fatman' single, which had a 
memorable cover : a stringless guitar emerging from a squalid lavatory pan. 
This time the sleeve design is a bit softer (it shows a room filled with a 
nondescript mess) but the contents didn't undergo any expurgation. 'Rubbish
(on the radio)' is a stunning track on which the beatbox, the heavy guitar and 
the insane keyboard all get frenzy in unison; and 'Rent' on the B side keeps the
pace (In full 'I love you cause you pay my rent'. I'm quite sure I already heard
that line that before, so what about 'I don't love you anymore but I'm willing 
to pay your rent' for a change? Well, never mind.) Last track 'Alternative Alf 
Garrett' is yet somewhat weak and sort of spoils the party.

However, a great single with an addictive tune ('Rubbish') that gets stuck into
your head. Recommended.

Christophe.

SILVERFISH : T.F.A. EP

Since I don't think many of you are interested in hardcore, I'll just give two 
facts I found out (halfway to drunk) about it :
#1 : nearly all these groups sound exactly the same and are completely inter-
changeable; I mean, a group like Fudge Tunnel could release a record and put 
'Mudhoney' on the sleeve (in order to boost their low sales) and hardly nobody 
would notice. And the only reason Silverfish stands out from the herd is the 
female singer, which is rather unusual in this microcosm - she's in her element 
though, since she screams more than she sings (she certainly can't).
#2 : I never consider a hardcore song average; it's either brilliant (yes, I can
name a few...) or unbearable (full listing would have the size of a phonebook). 
I'd put 'Total Fucking Asshole' in the first category (although being a bit too 
vindictive maybe). On the B side, 'Die' and 'Driller' are complete dross.

So restricted to hc fans only (French fanzines are full of articles about 
Silverfish). I'd rather recommend the Hard-Ons and their tremendous LP entitled
'Love Is A Battlefield Of Wounded Hearts' or something like that, including the 
fabulous 'Dont Wanna See You Cry', along with other tracks of the same stamp 
(30 in 64 minutes). A must.

Christophe.

URGE OVERKILL : Ticket To L.A.

Urgh! What an ugly cover. You can see on it a black circle (inside which is 
printed 'UO' in large fluorescent yellow letters) next to an (unremovable) 
splash indicating that the first 1,000 copies have an autograph of the band on 
it (now that's what I call a bonus). On the verso 'Ticket to L.A.' is written 
with the same rounded lettering made popular by the Rubettes moons ago.
But the most nauseous has to be the photo of the band, that shows three hairy 
blokes having in common the same kind of seventies-playboy satin costumes, and 
the same particularly low-tide glance. 

In short, this Chicago band doesn't seem familiar with good taste (nor with 
quadrichromy) and this record sleeve isn't the kind you display on your room's 
shelves. And of course the music is assorted with the loathsome cover : a sort 
of antediluvian heavy rock, hastily labelled hardcore over here (thus insuring 
a more favourable welcome). And even if I was listening to this all day long, 
be sure I'd never say it in public.

Definitely anachronistic.

Christophe.

DINOSAUR JR : The Wagon

The least we can say is that J. Mascis, frontman of Dinosaur Jr., took plenty
of time for this new single. After the enthusiastic reception towards his last
deliveries ('Freak Scene' and 'Just Like Heaven', two masterpieces), anybody
would have hurriedly released a feeble follow-up. But not our man. Well, this 
single is rather scamped, but it took him more than a year to achieve it.

I don't mean this is a bad single, au contraire. 'The Wagon' is imo of the same
kind than 'Freak Scene' : the same subjacent anger, the same melodic might, but 
unfortunately the same non-existent production; voice and instruments are
gathered in a sort of compact block amid which the most improved equalizer 
couldn't make it out. Besides, this time J. didn't bother to put an intro, so
the beginning of the song is rather abrupt. But this single is so brilliant 
he's welcome anyway.

Christophe.

TITI ET NOBRU : Bouh Bouh Bouh Bouh Bouh

The last one before you get review-O.D. Last but not least, for this is from 
France. After Les N�gresses Vertes, Titi & Nobru are the second band to
emerge from the ashes of the sadly missed B�rurier Noir. But apart from that,
there's no common point between the tourist-orientated rock-with-roots of Les 
N�gresses Vertes and this : here the sound consists of a fast drum machine, a 
hardened steel bass and a 1977 vintage dirty guitar. 

Lyrics are completely stupid (something like 'I told him he should never come
back/But I left the key on the door/So he came back in'), 'Bouh' is repeated
around 15 times in the chorus, but the tune is so ear-catching and the sound
so astounding this track is a real killer.

Were they from Manchester, Titi & Nobru would be on front page of NME.

Christophe.

    F. A. B. : Thunderbirds are go
    
    Discovered this on top of the pops last night, just when you thought
    you had recovered from Star Trekkin', all your favourite TV21 puppets
    are here in a Paul Hardcastle style mix of the thunderbirds theme tune,
    M.C.ed by none other than "Not so loud, m'lady" Parker himself.
    
    Coming soon ... andy pandy with the "Here we go Looby L-L-L-ooby Loo"
    acid hamper mix. Betcha just can't wait.
    
    Dave

    Re. Sarah Records
    
    I'm sure I saw an advert for a sampler from this label.  Can anyone
    confirm this?  And, is it full-, mid- or budget-price.
    
    BTW, Christophe - keep those reviews coming ... great stuff!!

    Dougie, there is a Sarah compilation - I caught a track off it on
    the Peel show last night. It sounded pretty good, too, although
    I can't remember who it was.....
    
    Bob

    Many thanks, Christophe! Your reviews have enough meat to see if
    a single is worth looking out for or not.
    
    Cheers,
    	George

    Christophe, what are the chances of you telling me more about Carter
    USM's version of `Rent'?
    
    
    matty

    Re : Sarah Records
         There's a new compilation LP out these days, and it's the second
         (or third) one. I'll check out this weekend and give you details
         on Monday. They are imo the opportunity of getting on CD tracks
         previously released on quickly cracking 7".
    
    Re : Pet Shop Boys - Rent
         Struck by lightning! I *knew* I had already heard that line
         before... So it's a Pet Shop Boys cover. Well, it would be
         hard for me to do a comparative study of the 2 versions since
         I don't clearly recall the PSB one. But Carter's sound is 
         certainly a bit more raw (but it's not Metallica anyway).
         

   Thanks for the Frazier Chorus review (Cloud Eight).  My local
   radio station has been playing this frequently over the past
   fortnight, but they keep forgetting to say who the artist is.
   Now I know.  It's certainly my favourite song at the moment.
   Perhaps I might splash out on the CD.  They remind me of
   The Lightning Seeds (Pure).

   Jane

    Can someone tell me what Frazier Chorus have released?
    
    I have Typical, Sloppy Heart and Cloud Eight, and have heard Dream
    Kitchen.  Then there's the LP.  Is there anything else perhaps?
    
    
    matty

    "Typical", "Sloppy Heart" and "Dream Kitchen" are from their 'SUE'
    LP ... a very listenable collection of whimsical pop tunes, although
    hardly in the 'essential' category. 
    
    Re. a few back (discussion re. the 'Sarah' record label) - does
    anyone have the title of the recently-released sampler?

    Sarah Records have released three compilations :
    
    Shadow Factory   - that was one year ago, and it's now being reissued.
    Temple Cloud     - rather recent. Features 16 songs, all a sides of
                       previous singles (from Sarah 15 to Sarah 30 I think)
    Air Balloon Road - 23 tracks on CD only. I've never been able to find
                       it, so I can't tell you more.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    Christophe.

    
    AIR BALLOON ROAD - A Sarah compilation   (Sarah 545)    
    
    
    
     [1] THE ORCHIDS       : It's Only Obvious
     [2] ANOTHER SUNNY DAY : I'm In Love With A Girl Who Doesn't Know I Exist 
     [3] THE SEA URCHINS   : Please Rain Fall
     [4] THE FIELD MICE    : If You Need Someone
     [5] THE ORCHIDS       : Underneath The Window, Underneath The Sink
     [6] St.CHRISTOPHER    : You Deserve More Than A Maybe
     [7] THE FIELD MICE    : End Of The Affair
     [8] GENTLE DESPITE    : Darkest Blue
     [9] THE GOLDEN DAWN   : George Hamilton's Dead
    [10] THE FIELD MICE    : Sensitive
    [11] THE WAKE          : Carbrain
    [12] BRIGHTER          : I Don't Think It Matters
    [13] THE SEA URCHINS   : Pristine Christine
    [14] 14 ICED BEARS     : Come Get Me
    [15] THE GOLDEN DAWN   : My Secret World
    [16] THE SPRINGFIELDS  : Sunflower
    [17] ANOTHER SUNNY DAY : You Should All Be Murdered
    [18] St.CHRISTOPHER    : All Of A Tremble
    [19] ACTION PAINTING!  : These Things Happen
    [20] THE POPPYHEADS    : Dreamabout
    [21] ANOTHER SUNNY DAY : Green
    [22] THE ORCHIDS       : Blue Light
    [23] BRIGHTER          : Noah's Ark
    
    All songs taken from SARAH 7" singles, EPs and occasional 10"s.
    For full details send SAE to SARAH RECORDS, PO BOX 691, BRISTOL, BS99 1FG.
    
    Christophe.

    Christophe, many thanks for the track listing - is this the most
    recent compilation?

    Yes, it's the most recent. But it includes tracks from the two previous 
    compilations (only available on vinyl - while this one is CD only).
    
    I can't tell you about the price; over here, UK imports are seldom dirt 
    cheap.
    
    Christophe.  

REVENGE : Pineapple Face

Due to popular demand (one or two people), I resume this verbal diarrhoea label-
led 'Singles review'. Well, part of the forthcoming reviews concern items I did 
not judge useful to blether about before, like this Revenge single for example.
The reason for this one is that it's now aired on our biggest national radio 
networks (NRJ, Skyrock), so I suppose it must have been huge in the UK and you
all know it by heart.

So for those who lost the batteries of their radio set, I'll just say that it is
an excellent single, imo even better than the latest New Order deliveries; it 
has a correct amount of BPM and the 12" features numerous versions of the track 
so you can enjoy it over more than 20 minutes. Ain't that great ?

Christophe.

SAINT ETIENNE : Only Love Can Break Your Heart

A misplaced band name (imagine a French group called 'London' or 'Manchester' -
usurpation you'd shout), a stupid title ('Only Love Can Break Your Heart' (??)
ole Neil Young did not strain much his neurons when the found this line), even
a bit of a rip-off (only two tracks on the 12", and the b side is a version of 
the a side - the only radical difference being the removal of the vocals);
but to me an instant (dance) classic.

Had it been just available on a triple-LP with all tracks being clone versions 
of 'Only Love...', I'd taken it anyhow. Rave on Saint L�on, Saint Gildas and
Saint Glinglin.

Christophe. 

THE CHARLATANS : The Only One I Know

I had only a vague opinion of their former 'Indian Rope' single, because I've
never been able to listen to it to the very end. Not that it was unpleasant, 
but after hardly two minutes, I switched off and completely forgot there was
music going on. I mean, it's like the buzz of an air conditioner; after a
while you don't notice it anymore.

However it's getting a little better with 'The Only One I Know', but nothing
to rejoice over, the sound is still exaggeratedly smooth. So let's find
consolation on the b side, with the instrumental 'Imperial 109'; a rather
unusual Charlatans song that, since when it's over, I curiously feel like
playing it again. Maybe because it reminds me of the Buzzcocks 'Late For The
Train'? (he he he, you thought I'd spare you the usual meaningless comparison
this time, didn't you?)

Christophe.

THE FARM : Stepping Stone

The funny cover shows a sheep wearing Harry Landers flares and Kickers but alas
the fun stops here. Both 'Stepping Stone' and 'Family Of Man' are so spineless, 
boring and obnoxious that the complete works of Kylie Minogue would seem like
quality and fun in comparison. To give you an idea of the mess, when you flush 
the toilets, what remains afloat is certainly less crappy than this single.

Christophe.

PARIS ANGELS : All On You

I guess they're not from Paris, but as I believe this item would not be out of 
place in a dustbin, I'm thinking of mine which is an authentic Parisian one 
(that is, grey with a green top; the orange cover of this record would not jar).
But don't throw it away, for this is a very practical item.

Let's imagine you have this handicap : your music tastes range from George
Benson to Carlos Santana or any other Joe Qwerty who has technique and thinks
he has feeling. Every time you're in society and you introduce yourself "Hi,
my name is Charlie and I'm a George Benson fan", you notice that all these 
mundane queers around you inevitably start to look scornfully and to sneer at
you; and you're inwardly furious. Well, this record will (temporarily) solve
this big problem. Cause Paris Angels may play the same kind of pseudo-inspired-
works genuine-shit than your usual faves, anyway they are HIP. So introduce
yourself as one of their most devoted fans, and thus you avoid the usual
humiliating sniggers but don't have to renounce your awful taste. Clever,
isn't it? But hurry up, fashion is ephemeral and in a month or two, they'll
give off the same musty smell than Freddy Mercury's mouth (no flames, this is
an image.)

Next week, I'll review the single that chases away intruders from parties, the
one that enables you to date bespectacled uglinesses and the one that kills
creeping insects (all of them scientifically tested.)

Christophe.

REMA-REMA : Wheel In The Roses

To hell with (allegedly) up and coming new bands. Here's a relic of the past, 
and yet something completely substantial. Rema-Rema were around at the turning 
of the Eighties (in the sphere of Killing Joke) and were both ephemeral (already
disbanded at the time their first and last EP was released) and seminal (members
went to form the Wolfgang Press and Modern English); in short, a cult group, and
I'd like to congratulate the guy who decided to reissue this long sold-out EP. 

It contains four anthological tracks (recorded june 1979), among others 'Fond 
Affections' (later covered on This Mortal Coil's first LP) and the oppressive 
'Rema-Rema', which sums up in four minutes the complete discography of Loop or 
Spacemen 3. So get this and save precious hours.

Christophe.

PAPA BRITTLE : Al Jolson

I picked this single every UK_M noter should own at New Rose shop, Paris, 
impressed by the dithyrambic reviews that followed the Papa Brittle concert.
Well there's the word 'Funk' on the sleeve notes and it doesn't appeal much to 
me (I usually associate it with Kool & the Gang and the likes - nothing to spend
even easily-earned cash on), but after a second check I saw that it was in fact
'U-Funk', i.e. a style completely unknown to me; but I'm naturally curious and 
always volunteer for new experiences (I could spend a week in a washing machine 
if I was told it was worth it) so I made up my mind and took it.

'Al Jolson' comes in two versions (with NOTICEABLE differences - at last) and 
is urban indeed, that is dark, oppressive and urgent. (BTW who is Al Jolson?) 
But would Rich_from_notes object if I say that the voice (especially in the 
chorus) reminds me of Duran Duran? 'Enemy Of The Brotherhood' is also a great
track, haunted by a rumbling synth and a sax in a state of weightlessness.
A Certain Ratio meets the Red Hot Chili Peppers in a sinister corner in the 
Bronx, and the result is something you can't feel indifferent about.

I've never had before the opportunity of telling somebody in a band what I 
thought about his work, but as I now have it, I'll say "Great", "Keep it up"
(not very imaginative, is it?) and "Send Ed the copy he calls for".

Christophe.

THE GROOVE FARM : Present

Back to more familiar spheres with this 5 track EP (all A sides they say).
Well, there's no particularly weak song, but nothing's really transcendant
though, it's just pleasant, unpretentious and varied. Anyway, people who
acknowledge The Wedding Present, John Peel and Mega City Four on their sleeves 
can't have bad taste, and talking of the WP, on "Basil", the singer's voice 
remarkably sounds like David Gedge's. Could have been worse (eg Eric Clapton as 
guest musician, but on indie productions the risk is low and that's what imo 
makes their charm.)

However, much better follows.

Christophe.

JIVE TURKEY : Don't Take Me Down

Out of nowhere come Jive Turkey. I had never heard of these guys before (maybe 
were they learning how to play their instruments) but this song is nearly 
perfect (same style than Field Mice, Edsel Auctioneer, etc... I suppose you
don't need the same description again and again); however, consider the fact 
that my scale of values might not be yours, especially if you're a Marillion fan
and wear a moustache.

Otherwise, if you ever come across this item, buy it. And if you bring back
home full suitcases of money every month (and want to spend it on records), 
then proceed to next reviews before pressing F10.

Christophe.

THE LEMONHEADS : Different Drum

I love that song. I taped it and could loop on it for hours. It reminds me of
this unachieved sentimental affair, and makes me feel melancholic but peaceful.
Few songs had such an effect on my mood, maybe The Smiths 'Heaven Knows...',
Psychedelic Furs 'Love My Way' or Chris Isaak 'The Lonely Ones' (wot?)

Last week at Virgin Megastore in Paris I saw a guy wearing a Lemonheads shirt
(while his friend had a 'Teenage Fan Club' shirt on him - hip dudes) and I 
wanted to shake hands with him for that (I suppose I could have done that kind 
of stupid thing after a few drinks.) Anyway a fabulous track.

Christophe.

THE HUMMINGBIRDS : Blush

'Blush' is another pathetic saga of unrequited love & dolphin stroking.
Well, this is not from me but from the sleeve notes. Might be true (dolphin
stroking???) but then I put this question : if bands start to explain/analyze/
criticize their songs, what are we reviewers here for? Well, never mind.

'Blush' is another major single of the year. A superb and energetic song
with a holy chorus (I rise from the ground when I hear these two voices super-
posed - causes me problems when listening to it in my car). So great I should 
not mention this below-average track entitled 'Let Her Down Gently' on the b 
side.

'Blush' is another item to be added to your shopping list.

Christophe. 

CUD : Hey Wire

After the state of euphoria, back to the flat realities of everyday life.
And that is, for Cud, to periodically release singles so uninspired you'd take 
any group next door for revolutionary geniuses. If you have a MOR music fan near
at hand (the one that keeps telling you how Dire Straits are fabulous and 
attended the Stones concert with wife, children and dog), let him listen to 
this, and then try and promote indie music. The odds are he stares at you
compassionately. I can't prove better the uselessness of groups such as Cud.

Christophe.

MILLTOWN BROTHERS : Seems To Me

Talking about compassion, there must be something wrong with these brothers.
I mean, I can't figure myself how individuals can be unaware of basic entertain-
ment rules, that is how they can conceive (and perform) such a shapeless and 
lancinating gruel. They must have spent their childhood next to a sledgehammer
(or maybe were they Marmite forcefed and some of that stuff has infiltrated 
their brains ?) Boy do I feel low.
 
Christophe.

THE KATYDIDS : Girl In A Jigsaw Puzzle

Yes, the Katydids are another band with women on vocals. I have a cartesian
classification into two distinct groups for these (the selection criteria
being vaguely related to supposed musical influences) : the Blondie side
and the Kate Bush side, that I generally rename the Darling Buds side and the 
All About Eve side (so as to seem up-to-date). 

But I suppose you don't care about the nuts and bolts of singles reviewing
(I just wanted to make you believe there was any), so I'll just say that the 
Katydids belong to the second category. A delectable voice, a fine melody, they 
use a proven formula that works once again.

Christophe.

THE SNAKE CORPS : Colder Than The Kiss

Reminds me of five or six years ago, when I was hanging around with goths; we
were of course into the Sisters, Xymox and the likes. But already then I had
this tendency to show off, so the Snake Corps were my favourites (although not
being on 4AD). They had released a handful of brilliant singles (including
'Victory Parade' and the epic 'Testament') but ... well I'm not going to bore
you once again with another display of that esoteric musical pseudo-culture
(I finally realized my reviews were filled with references to an obscure and
long-forgotten past - at least I never predict the future.)

The Snake Corps still have an unquestionable songwriting ability; 'Colder Than
The Kiss' is an ample and absorbing song, the kind the Mission attempted but 
never managed to write. 'Possession' and 'When I See You' are more concise but
are as great as the title track.

Yeah, that's better. Just the bare facts.

Christophe.

THE CARETAKER RACE : Man Overboard

The Caretaker Race are not a sensational group, rather keeping a low profile.
Formed after the highly estimable The Loft had disbanded (has anyone ever heard
'Once Round The Fair'?), they keep on in the same direction, that is a pleasant
and mature pop. This single is 100% excellent, but I'm afraid it won't get
much noticed though. Even someone like me, usually ready for any exaggeration
("How this single changed my life", "Song of the year/decade/century" (or even 
millennium if necessary), etc...) can't find a clue to sing the praises of this 
item.

Christophe.

NED'S ATOMIC DUSTBIN : Kill Your Television

The Neds (Neddoes? Neddies?) proceed rather swiftly, cause their former EP 'The
Ingredients' was released only two months ago and here they are already with the
next one. They did it fast but they did it well : because this time they have
selected a decent studio for the recording; well, quality would still make a 
"pro" like Phil C*llins laugh however (who btw needs a faultless production to 
coat the urine that his last songs actually are.) 

And because 'Kill Your Television' is an astounding track, imo their best until
now. But I COULD SCREAM TILL MY FACE TURNS BLUE I'm not sure it would change a
thing. I'd be long dead before they stop broadcasting that Phil Cowlins video
AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. Oops, time for me to take my pills.

Christophe.

THE SENSELESS THINGS : Is It Too Late EP

I have imagined this slogan for them : give the Senseless Things ten minutes, 
and they'll write you ten new songs. Well, they obviously know just two or three
chords (but so are/were the Ramones) but they are decided to do their best with 
these. And on this 6 track EP, they sometimes reach the top ('Andy In A Karmann'
'Leo' and especially the title track) without ever hitting the bottom.

The Senseless Things are however one step lower than Mega City Four (it's been a
long time I had not mentioned them, isn't it?) but they are as fun. The fact is,
me and my fellow (teenage) lobotomized buddies dig them a lot, so you better not
contradict us. For when we escape the asylum, we plan to kill all living Phil 
Kollinz fans (might take us time) and then set up a (compulsory) worldwide 
Senseless Things fan club.

Christophe.

SNUFF : Flibbiddydibbiddydop EP

One two... One two... THIS IS FUN! And this is hardcore, btw. First time I get
an EP with eleven (11) tracks on it. 'Ecstasy' and 'Rods And Mockers' 
(spoonerism? anyway there's no reason to give a damn this is an instrumental) 
are tremendous but also are the only songs the group has written on this EP. 
The rest are covers; I've been able to identify The Specials 'Do Nothing', The 
Who 'Can't Explain', The Four Tops 'Reach Out', Paul Simon/The Bangles 'Hazy
Shade Of Winter' and GBH 'City Baby Attacked By Rats'. Snuff show their large
range of tastes while merrily murdering these songs, their versions being rather
expurgated and accelerated.

They had already done a couple of covers on the 'Snuffsaid...' LP (Jimi Hendrix
'Purple Haze' and Tiffany 'I Think We're Alone Now' (sic)). I believe it would
be good if every group did covers instead of the usual dull fillings. But I 
fear this would completely stop Phil Nollins' (soooooo brilliant) songwriting 
career and half the earth would be inconsolable.

Christophe.

SCREEMING CUSTARD : Tracy

64th review so it's about time to put the question : what's the use of these
reviews? Well, among the few I've not written myself (my autobiography will
have the following title : "Me and my inflated ego and my life as a UK_Music
noter") there was an enthusiastic review of this single. 

Well, thanx Dave this is lovely. The music's great but the lyrics are even 
better (the kind 'Just because I've seen you nakid/ It doesn't mean that I love 
you David' - who else would dare this nowadays?). So hurry up there are at most 
998 copies left in the shops.

That's all folks.

Christophe.

    REMA-REMA : Wheel In the Roses (673.71)
    
    This is one of my personal favourites. Rema-Rema included Marco Pirroni
    from Adam and the Ants (and an ex-Banshee). "The Feedback Song" which
    leads into "Rema Rema" is one you'll want to play again and again. Nice
    to see it back in the shops.
    
    Dave

    Just curious, Christophe... Did you have to buy all these to review
    them?? 
    
    Dave

    Nope. I just steal them and then sell them back as collectors to
    gullible people. Believe me or not, this is lucrative business.
    
    Christophe.

    Re .64,

    Dougie, I don't know if you've discovered this yet, but the Sarah
    compilation "Air Balloon Road" is �9.99 in both HMV and Virgin in
    Glasgow.

    Black mark though for the complete absence of liner notes...

    �Pa�ul�

    Frazier Chorus - `Nothing'
    
    I suppose this is the follow uo to `Cloud Eight', my copy is a promo
    that cost 99p!
    
    Slightly more mainstream than `Cloud 8', with the same Soul II Soul beats,
    piano etc, but the lyrics aren't as clever as `Cl.8' or `Typical'. 
    Still a good record, and hopefully they'll make some chart with it -
    long overdue.
    
    The b-side is just another similar mix of the a-side.  I have a feeling
    that the whole thing is mixed by the man himself, Paul Oakenfold, but
    I'm not sure.
    
    When you think about it, it's amazing how much this record sounds like
    a track from the Beloved's LP.
    
    
    matty

    Re. .89 - thanks for the info., Paul.  Next time I'm up in Glasgow....

The Pogues - Summer in Siam
The Jesus and Mary Chain - Rollercoaster

I don't usually like singles, and these two are no exception.  The Pogues go
from the dodgy `Peace and Love' LP to producing some sub-cocktail lounge piano
tinkle.  It sounds like the kind of tunes they made up on the old TV programme
`Playaway'.  No guts, no emotion, no nothing.

`Rollercoaster' sounds like, well it sounds like any other J&MC tune really,
except this one starts out sounding like `Mr. Tambourine Man', and then slips
into their usual three chord rock.  Interesting to hear them crucifying the
Leonard Cohen song `Tower of Song' on the B-side though.

Tune in for more bile next week folks!

Lee

    re .0-91
    
    Very Good Christophe. Now where's that Banderas review we've all been
    waiting for?
    
    re. 92
    
    The weeks are getting longer Lee, and thanks for the tape.
    
    Piers

THE BANDERAS : This Is Your Life

Since the Smiths' split, Johnny Marr has done a lot of activities here and
there. After Electronic, Stex and others, I was told this music tourist was
now backing the Banderas, who are just another very common dance group with 
very common dance tracks. Disco disco, compared with this, even Italian house
seem spirited.

Christophe.

THE BUZZCOCKS : Alive Tonight EP

After the reportedly massive comeback tour, mythical punks the Buzzcocks have 
gone back into the studio. Afraid of being out of date, they've taken lessons 
and now sound like the Charlatans, at least on the title track. The overall
effect is not bad, the Buzzcocks are by no means dead, but nostalgic mohicans
and ex-glue sniffers would be better off listening to the recent Mega City 
Four singles compilation. 

Christophe.

CURVE: Frozen EP

Everybody must be convinced that 'Blindfold', Curve's debut EP is one of this
year's highlights, with this special sound that took us by surprise - including
the most blas� of NME's ex-golden boys. The surprise effect doesn't work 
anymore on this EP, which is a carbon copy of its predecessor. Excellent though,
but no tracks as obvious as 'Ten Little Girls' this time.

Christophe.

	       RE.95 I've never sniffed glue intentionally!

    
    I found the Curve sound not a surprise really, more like they have been
    listening to Eno/Can/Gabriel/Fripp etc.  Very well done tho.
    
    Mikef

    Who's Can?
    
    ignoramous of Warrington

    What do you guys think about Levitation?  I've heard their single,
    which is supposedly really big in the UK, and thought it was good for
    progressive rock-type stuff.  
    
    -Vic

    "A German group that arose during the psychedelic
    movement of 1968 from jazz, avant-garde and rock
    sources, Can (essentially Holger Czukay, Irmin Schmidt,
    Jaki Liebezeit, Michael Karoli) developed (and
    perfected) electronic collage in rock music and actively
    absorbed a number of musical traditions into their
    eclectic work. In addition to providing an example of
    individualistic behavior remote of commercial music,
    Can's output influenced a number of more modern figures,
    including Pete Shelley and John Lydon, while Can's
    Holger Czukay has worked with musicians as disparate as
    Eurythmics and Jah Wobble."

    They are also pretty funky!!  see note 236 - and go and buy some
    albums.
    
    Mikef

GALLON DRUNK - SOME FOOLS MESS

Groovy driving bass line, nerve-shattering hammond breaks and spluttered 
spitting vocals.  Real rock 'n' rant music.  The B-sides are real moody
affairs too.  Best thing since, well, since their last single I suppose...

Lee

    Hate to be the one to bring it up, but anyone heard the new 
    groovy old single by Michael Jackson??
    
    Can't really say much about the record as it sounds exactly like all
    his others with the oo's and the ah's in it, but I reckon it'll go
    to number one simply because of all the hype surrounding it.
    All this tosh about flying the single over on Concorde with 2 security
    guys attached to it when all the radio stations were all wetting
    themselves  because they had the single "exclusively."  Strange how all the 
    radio stations got the single at around 8.10 today including local
    stations not just those in London.  So if there were only 2 security
    guards, did they sort of clone themselves to get around all the 
    stations?  Or was it a neat plastic surgery jobby with Mikey babes
    being the actual security guard???  And the fact that he has been
    away from the music scene for 4 years or whatever is because he has
    been working on a new person energiser??
    
    Who knows - perhaps I should ask Liz Taylor?
    
    julia

Ugh, Christophe, your topic's been ruined...Ed



		:-)		:-)

    RE-2
    
    yup,got mine this morning,A 3.22min rip-off of an album version and
    it's clone instrumental.Added is an oldie called Smooth criminal from
    the Bad album.In total the music covers just 20 to 25% of the CD,and
    that for the $8,- it costs overhere(Holland) :^( National radio here
    has'nt played it yet.
    
    Jan.

    What do people think is at number one in Ireland at the moment..
   
    (The unanimous cry of "U2" echoes round the conference)

    Well, you're wrong....



    Vic Reeves?

    No...



    OK, so it must be Michal Jackson... 

    Wrong again.


 
    OK, we give up

    Well... I'll put you out of your misery... in fact its better
    than any of those....



   Hey there, Mister Groovey trousers.... its

   "Zig-Zagging" by Zig and Zag. 

   Two puppets from Childrens TV doing a better impression of the Soupdragons
   than the Soupdragons do. Could even be a hit in the UK... who's going to 
   notice the difference. Mind you the video might confuse a few.

   Their album "Never Mind the Zogabongs.. Here's Zig and Zag" is all set
   for the Christmas No. 1 spot. 
   
   Hands up anyone who doesn't know what Zogabongs are..?



   Dave

    Re .107
    
    Oh Boy, that's fantastic news. I mean, like mega. Is Dustin featured on
    it, or was he left behind in his Hiace van? I must know. I still smile
    when I remember them covering  'Walking in the Air' last christmas (I
    think).
    
    Balders

    
    re: .107
    
    Probably more entertaining than U2 anyway 8^)

The nastiest man in the biz is back.  Although this isn't as relentless as
previous efforts like `Ceausescu', it's still a frightening industrial-strength
rant at, well, you're never quite sure what he's ranting at.  There's two
different version of the single (well, at least the CD version), one featuring
ear-drilling remixes of `Ceausescu' and `Chemical Cosh', the other featuring
`Only Losers take the bus' and `Hive'.  Take yer pick.

Keep music evil,

Lee

Have the Wedding Present lost it or what?  The new compilation of their 6
singles of '92 so far seems bland, emotionless and tuneless.  There are a
couple of exceptions, but it's not really good enough.  Even the B-side cover
versions drone on without any originality.

Ugh,

Lee

Four classic Smiths songs done in true Ukrainian style.  No, it's not something
off `Whose line is it anyway?', it's true.  `Bigmouth Strikes Again' is the
best (and the most recognisable), `The Queen is dead' is not bad, `Meat is 
Murder' is beefed up (HAR HAR HAR) to a real whirling dervish of a tune, and 
`What difference does it make?' is too long.

Whatever next, Austrailians covering Abba songs?

Lee

    re-1  Is this out already?
    
    Mikef

Uh-huh, came out today.  Also got the new Shonen Knife single `Get the Wow'.
Sounds a bit too much like `Bear up Bison' for my liking, but the English
version of `Animal Song' on the B-side is pretty good.

Lee

    Songs of the month:

    Duran Duran - Ordinary World
    The Beloved - Sweet Harmony
    The Frank & Walters - After All

    Er, that's it.

    Dinosaur Jr in the Top 40????? Explain, please...
    
    Bob

Can only be for the same reasons that allows Nirvana and their ilk to get into 
the charts.  Grunge music is so in, it's out.  Must admit to liking the new
Duran Duran song though.  But fear not, because next week sees the release of
the frighteningly likeable Rolf Harris version of `Stairway to Heaven'.  Can the
charts take much more of this?

Lee

    I just can't wait for the re-recorded version of Two Little Boys (while
    we're on the subject of Rolf Harris). I heard somewhere that it'll be
    out as part of this England/Eire/Northern Ireland thing later this
    spring. At one stage it was down to be Rolf Harris and The Orb... someone
    else will now be stepping in to fill the vacancy. Presumably it'll be
    re-titled Two Little BoyEEEs in line with current chart practice...
    
    Rolf's version of Stairway to Heaven beats a lot of the stuff in the
    Top 40.
    
    bye
    john
    

Party single of the moment, a guaranteed ice-breaker, must be 'You Suck'
by Consolidated and the Yeastie Girls. Very, err, interesting lyrics, but
responsible! No doubt about that!


Rod

    Filth, pure filth, Rod. I heard this the other day on Radio 4. 
    
    I think it was Radio 4, anyway.
    
    Piers

It grows on you, Piers, like Herpes, no really, it's got a good toe-tapping
beat. 

Radio 4? Shurely shome mishtake.


Rod

    Pram - Iron Lung
    
    When I saw this band a few weeks ago, the sound quality of their
    toy-orchestra compositions was so appauling, it felt like my ears were
    bleeding.  However, on record, with a bit of decent production, it's
    actually quite listenable.  Some of the tunes remind me of Can with their
    6 minute trance-like qualities and wobbly sound effects. Pretty good.
    
    Dog Hunch - The end of the world
    
    Nice moody piece of sleaze.  Sounds like Gallon Drunk, which can't be
    bad. B-side verges on rockabilly. Best listened to with the lights off.
    
    Mercury Rev - The Hum is coming from her
    
    Weird one this.  Side one sounds like a Sun-Ra tune, and just as it
    gets going, it's over.  The B-side is some goof reciting some blank
    verse while the Rev plink away in the background at a rather ridiculous
    tune.  Very odd.  Nice 10" packaging though.
    
    Lee