45s

Rip It Up, Issue 55, 1 February 1982, Page 18

45s

Pete Shelley Homosapien (Island) First solo single for Mr Shelley, of the legendary Buz’zcocks. This song. is .indeed wonderful. Gone are guitars, in come the synthesisers, and with Martin Rushent producing, • you can't go : wrong. The flip is 'Keats' Song',, another fine cut from the album. : Fumßo^rhreeqHß^m The Lunatics (Have Taken Over The Asylum) (Chrysalis) Messrs Golding, Hall and Staples with their, debut as a three-piece. Reminiscent of the excellent 'Ghost Town', 'The Lunatics' is slower, more political, and almost as good. 'Faith, Hope 'and Charity' on the other side is a warped,'funk workout, equally tasty. The Riptides Only Time (Regular) An Australian unit, this is taken from their . mini-album Swept Away. Average 60s surfstyle music, frantic but fun. These guys ' must be big in Queensland. Billy Idol MonyMony. (Chrysalis) .Generation X frontman Idol steps out on his own with this four-track EP, aimed at the American market. His competent vocals lift the old Tommy James

classic to new heights. The only other worthwhile cut is a re-mix of Gen X's 'Dancing With Myself', still a great little song.

Smelly Feet Masterpieces (Real Records) One man band, Smelly Feet, has mellowed slightly on this, his third single. 'Masterpiece' shows his writing becoming more structured and his vocal and guitar abilities improving. B-side is 'You're A Person', great lyrics. The double album will be interesting. Jason Sad Lilac Dan & the Underworld (Saduction) This is a 12" four track EP, and Jason Sad's second release. Key track is Two Out Of Love', a very full pop song but it doesn't grow, on you, with listening. 'Gay Boys (In Bondage)' is better but not radio material. 'Romeo' and 'Was It Something I Said' were both on the first single. Nice packaging though. The Clash Radio Clash (Epic) Neat cover. 'This Is Radio Clash' could just as well be Radio Chic. Mick Jones plays funky, guitar, while Topper maintains a clapping rhythm to Paul's disco bass lines. It grows on you. The other side is a dub version of the same thing. Spaces Nice Peaceful Day (Epic) A lot of people like these guys, they're energetic and fun on stage. This is their third single, and will probably be a' hit- like 'Disadvantage'. Small Faces

rip-off vocals and a bit .of early Roxy woodwind. The * flip, 'Helluva'Day', is better.’ Riot 111 Subversive Radicals (Rioting) Hey, this sounds neat. Whoops, wrong speed. . 'Subversive Element' is interesting, angry and sparse. 'Writing On The Wall' is denser, and works only because the bass player is quite competent. Wonder how they'd (sound! if he was as inept as the rest of them. MtijHßH Max Purnelj^H|H| Yes With Love (RCA) Max Purnell is from the Auckland suburb of Avondale. The song is concerned with protest marches. Acoustic guitar, a solid drum beat, and inaudible •lyrics. Quite nice, but a trifle 'dited'a^HßjllHllH The Mirrors The Park (CBS) ■ The Mirrors try to achieve a big sound, and The Park' has it. Very West Coast American, which let's face it, is where they'd like to be. Not my cup of tea. The Narcs EP (XSF«|HPVW The Narcs are rapidly. building a strong live following. This EP features four songs, Hey Boy', 'Queenstown', 'Here She Comes' and 'First Chance To Dance'. All are flash, brash, loud and heavy, and 1 the last song is strong, single fare. They could be really big across the Tasman. David ( Parkyn From The Resistance (Tindrum) David Parkyn is an ex member of the Plague. This 12-inch moves a little in areas I'm unfamiliar with. The closest comparison I could make would probably be Tim Buckley. Four songs, all featuring the inventive I acoustic guitar of Ivan Zagin and the lyrical prowess of Parkyn Interesting. Knobz Roads To Rome (WEA) ! Another year, another band. After their disastrous album, Knobz return, totally refurbished, to try again. It is a step forward, and there's nothing wrong with the playing -or the production. Just the songs.

Mark Phillips