the SHAKE Summation

Rip It Up, Issue 71, 1 June 1983, Page 30

the SHAKE Summation

Unrestful Movements Are You A Fireman? (Jayrem) This is an astonishing improvement. Lyrically, where the first EP lashed out fairly blindly, this one's attacks are focused and direct. The cliches have been dropped in favour of real perception. Musically, there isn't a great change of tack, it's just that this works where that didn't. There are some new ideas, of course, and the singing's better, especially on 'Anti Trend' the meanest thing I've heard an NZ band do in ages. The best record to go out on Jayrem and I think it'll be one of the best of the year. Just listen.

Diehards Rhythm of the World/ Freedom's Son (Hit Singles) Look, 1 think I've sussed out the Diehards' problem. They're writing guitar pop songs then trying to make . them do things they shouldn't with a synthesiser. It often doesn't work. These two songs are pleasant here but they cry out for something better. The B-side, recorded on eight track, actually works better than the 24-track A-side. The Diehards really have personality but it might take a sympathetic producer to work things out on record. Nocturnal Projections Understanding Another Year in Darkness (Hit Singles) • Clever that, running your song titles together to make the EP title. Nocturnal Projections continue on their merry way. This is a good, confident record but sometimes the sound gets perilously close to overwhelming the songs. Great singing. From Scratch 3 Pieces From Gung Ho 1,2,3 D (Hit Singles) The pieces here are part of a From Scratch performance which encompasses such diverse themes as organic replication and collective responsibility. I won't attempt to explain it fully it's well covered on the sleeve and insert. Percussion instruments, both conventional and unique, are utilised along with various drones. In a sense, this is a cold record there is excitement, but it's the excitement of a successful chemistry experiment, of writing an elegant proof, discovering a new species of plant. Still, it's better than much hipper stuff like 23 Skidoo get 'em here before you import 'em. .• British Tits EP (ID) Eh? I don't know what goes on in some people's minds, I really don't. Six songs about things like Chinese takeaways serving up dog meat, a sodomist who prowls his neighbourhood looking for pets to abuse, war, murder, insanity and Christ laying girls on the beach. These clumsy lyrics, you might find them offensive or laughable, you might even like them. Singersongwriter lan Drummond's music isn't as offbeat as the lyrics, how-

ever, it's distinctly standard fare. But who are these people? That's what I want to know. Russell Brown