Young savages (then)

Press, 21 January 1982, Page 10

Young savages (then)

“Ultravox!” Mini-Album (Island L 20003).No-one should be fooled, after looking at the cover art of this, “new" Ultravox(!) record—it's actually a 12” version of an EP called “Live Retro” which first appeared in England in 1978. Three of the four live tracks are from the first album, which strangely, is omitted from the list of previous albums on the rear cover (perhaps Island are trying to shift more copies of “Three Into One") We get a bonus with two previously unreleased John Foxx oldies, “Quirks,” and “Modern Love,” and the live “Young Savage,” is also new to us. In 1977, Ultravox were mistakenly categorised as

part of the “tax exiles on main street" set that they were actually screaming about. The “fag-end of glam rock,” was one description. You know their popularity now’, but along with that the music, since “Systems of Romance.” has been a lot less exciting. That’s why everyone who has bought’ the last two albums should try this (at the very least) to compare. John Foxx may not have the vocal range of Midge Ure, but there’s an unmistakeable edge to his voice that is preferable. As the titles would indicate (“Young Savage,” “The Wild, The Beautiful And the Damned”), the music is much more exciting than the current offerings too. A slower

number like “My Sex" (yes that’s where they got the name from) given the full violin and not-overblown synthesizer treatment is just as powerful as rockers like “The Man Who Dies Every Day."

It seems like there’s no chance that Ultravox will be doing this sort of stuff at their forthcoming concert here.

VARIOUS ARTISTS “Molocco Plus” (WEA Z 20016). This is not a review but a recommendation. I have not heard this album, and despite what you might think that is not normal policy for us reviewers. Its contents are already familiar. “Molocco Plus," is a compilation of some of the best

tracks by newish and they-deserve-to-be-stars acts like Wah!, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Sound and the Associates. No, I still don’t like the Associates, but look at the company they’re in. The highlights would be “Seven Minutes to Midnight,” from the Wah! album, the Bunnymen's “Over the Wall” and “Villiers Terrace.” and “Heartland,” by The Sound. People keep telling me that "... Easter’s On Friday” by the Associates is brilliant (decide for yourself), and “New Dark Age” is the only one of the rest that I haven't heard, but The Sound can generally be relied upon.

Best of all this album is just $5.99, the price of two singles. Buy! (if you haven’t got the tracks, elsewhere). - DAVID SWIFT.