Bored? Buy a few singles

Press, 17 June 1982, Page 14

Bored? Buy a few singles

Dexys' Midnight Runners nave released several excellent singles, but they have sold about as well as a bag of cold chips, in New Zealand. "Celtic Soul Brothers." I will grumble, probably won't do any better. It includes a fiddle section (the Dexys' "anti-fashion stance continues) called the- Emerald Express. The result is a sprightly three minutes or so that catches on quick (hear-ing-wise). "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" was in the New Zealand album charts for ages, so there must be plenty of potential buyers for this. The second D.M.R. album is not that far away, apparently. Junior Giscombe is a name that you may be sick of soon, if you listen to the radio often enough. His English and American hit single. "Mama Used To Say." has been released here, and the radio is starting to pick it up. This is a classy disco-funk

record — they actually do exist, a fact which is best discovered by sifting through the singles in the shops, and trying before you buy. Theatre of Hate. Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Split Enz. and Rico and the Special A.K.A. have newly released singles or E.P.'s worth a listen. The Theatre of Hate record is a twelve-inch, the first release for the band in New Zealand. Although dismissed, early on as revival-ist-punk thrashers, they are evolving with considerable melody. "Do you Believe in the Westworld?" is a spag-hetti-Western styled ramble, carried along by Kirk Brandon's moaning. whining vocals. There is a dub of that track, two versions of "Incinerator." and. as a bonus. "Original Sin." a re-recording of one side of the band's first single. Worth a listen.

“Six Months in a Leaky Boat." mav well be the best

Split Enz single since "Give It a Whirl." or "I See Red." It is reminiscent of a sea shanty, but a neat chorus and a few handclaps remind the listener that it is modern pop. Nothing else from the “Time and Tide" collections impresses me half as much (or at all). Elvis Costello and the Attractions finished their New Zealand tour in Wellington on Tuesday night (moan, grumble). "Almost New" is a collection of relatively choice tracks not going back too far. One was recorded at his gig with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the Albert Hall. London, in January. “What's So Funny 'Bout Peace. Love, and Understanding" is perhaps the best cut of all. It was only previously available as a b-side (credited to "Nick Lowe and his Sound"), on Lowe's "American Squirm" single.

three years ago. You were lucky if you got that." Almost New" is best bought by those who feel the need for more Costello records in their collection (that should be most of us). Rico and The Special A.K.A. (what's left of The Specials, plus the veteran Jamaican brass player) have combined for ’ "Jungle Music." which is interesting, but doesn't touch "The Boiler." by Rhoda and The Special A.K.A. When will we see the latter (a chilling rape story) released here 9 It was banned by the B BC. but is possibly the best thing that The Specials have been associated with since “Stereotype." The Newmatics' posthumous single. "Square One." is also in the shops. It is a fast. very-Dexy's shamble that becomes enjoyable after several listens. David Swift.