the SHAKE Summation

Rip It Up, Issue 75, 1 October 1983, Page 30

the SHAKE Summation

Tall Dwarfs Canned Music (Flying Nun) Lessee, this reviewing business is about generalisations, right? Um ... Three Songs had three great songs, pit-pat riddums and echoes of the 60s and Louie didn't quite have the songs but was more original and cohesive. I think Canned Music is the best one yet. Reasons: 'Canopener' opens, natch, it's like a dub version of the theme from something like The Young and the Restless with guest vocals from a paranoid schizophrenic. Real silly. Musically, 'Beauty' is stronger live but on record you can hear the words and take guilt, reassurance or both. This Room Is Wrong' continues the Knoxian tradition of

self analysis/criticism with a really good bit about the relationship between recording artist and listener. Walking Home' stars the salad bowl rhythm section, a nice little song about a nasty little incident. Turning Brown and Torn in Two' is the most striking thing on the record, courtesy of a harsh tape loop that the song just rides on. Another song about the singer. "Woman': and it's good to hear Chris Knox sing words that aren't the least bit clever or cynical. The words might be obvious hut they need saying. Alec's 'Shade for Today' is a perfect ending - a minute 47 seconds of understatement and beauty. Shortcomings abound, of

course, but they're more to do with technology ; than • spirit : and that's what counts. I like this record.

Sonya Waters No Pain (Tipper) The first thing you notice is the voice. A couple of ; the songs are pretty good, but it's the voice. It's just a pity that behind the singing things haven't gelled perfectly. At times the reggae backing sounds contrived and obvious, the production's good enough but not perfect. That said, Teel Secure' is good, haunting. 'We Go' brings the spirit of The Passenger' home with impact. Add those to the fact that here is a woman working with talent and determination in a male-dominated business and that's a pretty good reason to invest. The Wastrels The Jenner Affair (Hit Singles) The Wastrels have a good, strong identity sort of some-: thing that's a lot of fun but not too good for your health. And who knows what you'll turn into if you do it too often? Who cares? Five unhealthy songs, the best of which are probably '(I Fell) In Love With Love' ("Not in love with you ... "

great chorus) and the desolate Angels in Silence'. The only 3uibble I'd have is with the prouction, I'd have gone for something a bit sparser and more acoustic, but that's minor. A good debut, now let's hear some new recordings soon. Miltown Stowaways Strong and True (Unsung) Definitely not the best track off a rather good album, 'Strong and True' is nevertheless a good deal better than the Miltowns' debut EP. Ben Staples' drumming is a pleasure but the horns and singing just miss the spot. Don't Show Me That' has considerably more zip. If you can't afford the album, this'll do. Body Electric Pulsing Dance Mix (Jayrem) This new mix features new bodily electrician Wendy Calder and that was presumably the reason for releasing it. It's not identifiably a "dance mix" to me but it builds on the original. I just don't want to hear the BE moan again about people thinking they only have one song they've compounded the problem by making basically the same song their second release. It is, after all, basically a silly little ditty. I'd rather have waited for the album. Russell Brown