Dbbbyn loyalty test

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 30

Dbbbyn loyalty test

I ■ ■ .h DAVE ; DQBBYN “Loyal” (CBS, 460655-1). “Record of the year!” says CBS Records New Zealand but I “Loyal”, is going to test the fans. The LP has hone of the word play i of “Cool Bananaj” (1982),' the instant appeal of ‘ The Optimist”. (1984), or the showcasing of the “Footrot Flats” (soiindtrack, that repealed the [depth of Dobbynls talent. But “ really lives up to is name.[At first, nothing really stjands out at all, l>ut fob those prepared t ) take! the time to listen it weaves that magic hat Dobbyn does so well. After ‘Slice of Heaven ” side two has a string of five spngs that just j o ' together so well. || [ In particular “Little [Zeroes’! is probably the 1 most catchy song for its beat, but “Joy” is the

conqueror for its own sense [of celebration. The production of- the five songs,} courtesy of Mark Moffat, Bruce! Lynch, and Dobbyn hims[elf, seems simple enough superficially, but; after a few listens the songs fit like a jig-saw. I The , first single, “Love You Like I Should,” while booted along [by a lively beat and horn section, does not! seem as accessible as'“Slice 0f Heaven.” Much j better ! is an extremely powerful song, jAin’t | No Doubt (Someone’s 'Life);” with Dobbyn’s typically acute view of jnfairness of life /Ain’t it just the nature of the anim'al/to just turn off cri the plight of half the planet”). (The track has [Dobbyn in full cry vocally; but most would urn off because of the | content. i|l ; ? “Hell Takes No Holi-

• » ' 'i . ; U day” is another superb track, won over by; repetitive use of the title and neat touches from keyboards. The song follows dn from “Ain’t No Doubt.” ‘■Stay’’ is a ballad, a personal one, as only Dobbyn can do it, capped off by Tony Buchanan’s sax breaks. This is followed by another slow-starting song, the title track, which has vocals uppermost and a more personal element in the lyrics. ; I "Loyal” is a sleeper — my favourite kind of album, for songs earlier disregarded suddenly come to life. Much of the album has a more personal Dobbyn, perhaps a slightly wiser one, but it shows that the New Zealand artist has lost none of his creativity. It’s ia long way to December, but “Loyal” has the stamina to last. H- 'i I I -NEVIN TOPP.