Wired for sound

Press, 12 November 1981, Page 16

Wired for sound

COLIN NEWMAN “A-Z” (RTC Bega 20) ' For Wire fans, this record is probably a must. For the rest, well it probably won’t raise too many eyebrows or attract much attention. But that’s what happens to a lot of solo albums by members of acclaimed (?) groups, right? Newman was one-quarter of Wire. “Was” because the group has not done anything in about 20 months. There was a Wire single earlier this year, but it was from a 1979 session for the “154” album. Likewise, the new English Wire album, “Document and Eyewitness,” is not new, but mostly a live retrospective. We will keep with the Wireisms for a while because Newman has produced an album that is very much like the band in full. On “A-Z”, which is a year old in its country of original issue, he has used the group’s pro-

ducer, Mike Thorne, and drummer, Robert Gotobed. (One of the best names from punk, that). Songs such as Jury” and “S-S-Star Eyes” recall the great moments of "154.” The production is almost the same, thus so is the quality. Newman has resorted to the two devices that he used with the group — the short, minimalist thrash, or the longer, experimental piece. So nothing too stunning or unexpected. But to repeat: a must for Wire fans. Simple as that! Newman’s new album is “Provisionally Entitled Singing Fish,” and it’s more a venture into new territory. At least 12 tracks, labelled “Fish One,” “Fish Two,” etc. test the listeners’ patience. THE BIRTHDAY PARTY “Prayers On Fire” (Propeller Link 14). I've just given away a dreadful Australian punk sampler on ghastly white

vinyl called “Lethal Weapons.” It was given to me and I think I was ripped off (are you listening, Kevin?) Anyway one of the bands on it was the Boys Next Door, who did a tasteful tune entitled "Masturbation Generation” for the album . . . . . . Late 1981, and The Birthday party seem to be one of the first Australian acts that the English have taken to. My goodness, it’s the Boys Next Door! Thankfully they’re in a better suburb now — a sort of Gothic doom path. Apparently the boys were not doing too well in Australia so they recorded a single or two and headed to England with them. “Prayers On Fire” has been in the independent charts for ages there, so obviously the trip was worth it. Simon Grigg, of Propeller Records, the Auckland independent company, went to a

bit of trouble to release this through a Missing Link (Australia) connection. He likes it, and after a few listens'l must admit that it is not objectionable. A Bahaus comparison is on the horizon. Make the distinction — this is Birthday Party music, not music for birthday parties. All through the grooves is a grinding, raunching sound, as thick as the production will let it. “Nick The Stripper” is a single off it, perhaps chosen because it’s interesting rather than commercial. Lots of sax sounds and nasty lyrics — “he’s a fat little insect, oooh! here we go again.” The Birthday Party are firmly in the low life. The lyrics for “Figure Of Fun” say it all: “obsessive, dead pan, moribund, seasick, etc.” Play this one just occasionally and you’ll get used to it. I didn’t say enjoy it, mind.