Prayers answered

Press, 9 May 1985, Page 10

Prayers answered

DANCE EXPONENTS “Expectations” (Mushroom RML53163.) I was quite disappointed by the sound that Dance Exponents produced on their tour last year after returning from Australia. They seemed to have taken the brash Ockers to heart, and this seemed to get in the way of the songs that Jordan Luck has a knack of writing. Therefore, I nearly fell off my rocking horse while watching “Radio with Pictures” last Sunday because of the two clips video that featuring songs from the new Dance Exponents album. The songs featured, including “Christchurch," were ones the band had .performed at their show in the Town Hall, but the sound on the television programme was clear and crisp, very English, as were the videos themselves.

“Expectations” more than lives up to its name. The album is sprinkled with “local landmarks,” including Christchurch, Cashel Street, Ashburton, and Wastrels — all very tasteful and not a hint of self-consciousness. Undoubtedly, the very English feel in the sound comes from the production of lan Taylor, the man from the

Vince Ely the Psychedelic Furs drummer, puts into the sticks on this album. On this track as on others, he stands out, but also on this track the whole band are involved, down to Luck trying to outdo Bono Vox. “Greater Home Country, who has had had a lot of experience behind the studio panel, including Romeo Void on his list.

But, what is so good about “Expectations” is that Jordan Luck’s songs are allowed to stand out crystal clear — the real hook that grabs the listener. The three most exciting tracks on “Expectations” are "Christchurch (In Cashel St I Wait),” “Only I Could Die (And Love You Still),” and the title track, “Greater Hopes, Greater Expectations” — all of them fast,

punchy, driving numbers. “Christchurch" is my favourite so far because of the taut lead guitar of Chris Sheehan and Brian Jones carry the song along, the same kind of vehicle that made the band’s first hit "Victoria” sd successful — although in a slower vein. “Only I could Die” gives all the band free rein, and perhaps this is a good time to mention the efforts of Hopes” shows off Luck’s optimism, on-your-table sort of song. Luck has avoided so much of the by-play of the past although humour is not totally absent. The titles "These Ocean’s Wave and Tide Us In” and the alliteration on “Ashened Ashened Autumn Leaves,” for example. But, the exceptional ballads are "Prayers Be Answered,” also with its funny side, and “Losing the Sun, The Moon, and You,” No wonder Luck can send himself up. Too much Robert Browning (the poet) is bad for the mind.

“Expectations,” fulfills its obligations. There are the occasonal dud tracks, but these are more than offset by the pinnacles. Fun to bend an ear too. -NEVIN TOPP.