Sweet dreams

Press, 4 July 1985, Page 18

Sweet dreams

THE EURYTHMICS “Be Yourself Tonight” (Starcall SFLOI3O). For The Eurhythmies, “Be Yourself Tonight,” is the first album they have done from the top of their career. “Sweet Dreams" and the 1983 album, “Touch,” caught them, and a surprised audience, on the way up, and then there was the legal wrangles over the “1984” soundtrack album, which did not do anyone any good (except for the excellent single, “Sex Crimes”). “Be Yourself Tonight” shows a strong band committed to their craft. “Would I Lie To You?” has already had a fair amount of airplay, a driving song with soul overtones, but even better is “Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves,” which is a song for women, although Lennox says its not a song of women over men. In fact, she relates a funny incident in an interview in which Aretha Franklin’s • brother, the Rev. Franklin, hears the song on a ghettoblaster, and wants to know what’s going on. In spite of having voice problems, Lennox matches Franklin on the track, which is a highlight of the album. Another duet number is with Elvis Costello on “Adrian,” which is nothing startling, except for the line “to wake up to a new clear morning.” Much better is “It’s Alright (Baby’s Coming Back),” which captures the essence of the soul sound in a studio. Another big track is “I Love You Like A Ball And Chain,” which has Dave Stewart trying a computer programme on it. Stewart shows off some nice blues guitar chords on “Conditioned Soul” against Lennox’s vocals, but those looking for the old Eurythmics can try “Better To Have Lost In Love (Than Never To Have Loved At All),” which has the same haunting feel as the duo’s early tracks. Generally, side one is much stronger than side

two, but the pity is that there will not be any live shows for a while as Lennox is still having vocal problems. MARY JANE GIRLS “Only Four You" (Gordy 6092GL). The cover of Mary Jane Girls’ debut record leaves a lot to be desired. Those of you who have seen the video clip for the group’s single, “In My House,” might have some idea why, but when you see the sleeve then it might make you wonder about the fuss over Bryan Ferry’s album sleeve for “Slave Of Love.” But, upon studying the “Only Four You” cover closer, the concept of Mary Jane Girls was from Rick James, who is allied with Prince in erotic rock. He wrote all the songs, produced, and arranged the tracks for the girls album. However, it is the insert in the album sleeve that makes one cynical. All of the girls (two of whom go under the names of Corvette and Maxi) offer special thanks to the Creator, or God, and the whole album seems to show off a type of American fundamentalist capitalism at its best. The contrast between the cover photos and the religious sentiments cannot be wider, plus songs like “Leather Queen,” for example. “In My House” is the best track, a nice funky' number, and “Shadow Lover” is a neat ballad, but in the end it comes down to a matter of who is using who — and for what? -NEVIN TOPP,