WRITERS' FAVES

Rip It Up, Issue 77, 1 December 1983, Page 2

WRITERS' FAVES

RUSSELL BROWN

have your say volte in Readers 1 PolX page 6

ALBUMS Beatin Hearts, the Builders: More life! Every heart more life! Music for a New Society, John Cale: Haunting, unique, deceptively bare music. Years best concert! High Land Hard Rain, Aztec Camera: • Wild-haired boy descends from hills, constructs happy-sad pop, hold the polish. The Bad Seed, the Birthday Party: Big, Loud Love Songs that shrug obscurantism and here is! Before Hollywood, the Go-Betweens: Strange but familiar, a lesson in understatement. A Distant Shore, Tracey Thorne: Soft, sad, the image holds. The music for bedtimes. NZ SINGLES 1. 'Death and the Maiden', Verlaines. 2. 'Flesh', Children's Hour. 3. 'Canned Music', Tall Dwarfs. 4. 'Punch', Spines. 5. 'Fetalmania', Fetus Productions. (Hon. mentions to Mockers, Expendables, Vic Dimisich Band, Car Crash Set, Unrestful Movements.) NZ TAPES 1. 'Oddities', the Clean. 2. 'Gone Aiwa', Above Ground. 3. 'Gorgonzola', Steve Roach. 4. 'This is Heaven', Paul Luker. 5. 'Weirdicats', Various TV Eye artists. BEST BAND NAME • Jive Bombers BEST HAIRCUT • Mark Brooks, White Boys BEST DRESSED SLEEVES • 'Yellow Read Aloud', Marie and the Atom. • Grow Up', Ballon D'essai. • 'Canned Music', Tall Dwarfs. • 'Equinox', Axemen (tape). • 'Be My Friend', Sneaky Feelings. WORST SLEEVE • 'Strange Faces at the Oasis' Legionnaires KERRY BUCHANAN TOP SOUNDS FOR 83 « 'Planet Rock'/'Searching for the Perfect Beat, Afrika Bambatta and the Sonic Soul Force/Arthur Baker 12": From New York to Otahuhu, the sound of the bop and soaring sales of white gloves. 'Confusion', New Order/Arthur Baker 12": New Order go to the Funhouse and come out Bakerised.

'Last Night A DJ Saved My Life', Indeep 12": Witty and sexy, a true dance delight. 1999, Prince: Soundtrack for the coming apocaplypse. Smell of Female, Cramps: Includes th theme to Meyer's 'Faster Pussycat, Kill Kill Kill'. Essential sleaze. TOP FILMS © One from the Heart, Coppola. • King of Comedy, Scorcese. • ET, Spielberg. © The Thing, Carpenter. © Mad Mm 11, Miller. ALISTER CAIN ALBUMS The Crossing, Big Country: Guitars played with intelligence, grace and subtlety. Porcupine, Echo and the Bunnymen: To everyone who said "It's only good for the first two songs," bollocks! Seance, the Church: Not a complete album I listen to it more than most, if only for 'lt's No Reason'. Power, Corruption & Lies, New Order: Surprise fine lyrics and haunting melodies. The Bad Seed, the Birthday Party: Touching love songs. Imagine if Cave teamed up with Jordan Luck! NZ SINGLES 1. Death and the Maiden', Verlaines. 2. Stars in My Eyes', Screaming Meemees. 3. All I Can Do', Dance Exponents. 4. Cleopatra'/'After the Rain', Mockers. 5. 'Be My Friend'/'Amnesia', Sneaky Feelings. FOOTY PLAYERS Robbie Deans: Walks on water. Stephen Pokere: Bliss on legs. Dave Loveridge: Trapper, the old master. Jock Hobbs: The next Mourie. Victor Simpson: Wayward genius. BEST MUSICAL EVENT • Christchurch War of the Bands. WORST MUSICAL EVENTS • National Shazam Battle of the Bands. • NZ Music Awards. MOST PROMISING • Christchurch's Triffids TIPS FOR 84 • Dance Exponents take over world. • Triffids take over NZ. • Canterbury retain Ranfurly Shield. • Gluepot sells Steinies (!).

MURRAY CAMMICK ALBUMS Nona, Nona Hendryx: A mature, perfect statement from an eighties'. woman. Forever, For Always, For Love, Luther Vandross: The modern Sam Cooke - sweet sentiments, tough funk. Tell Mr Bland, Bobby Bland: A return to fine old-fashioned form. DANCE • 'Soweto', Malcolm McLaren: Different riddums made relevant. Fabulous video. • 'Music'/'Don't Ya Wanna Ride', D Train This train is so exciting" machine soul adventures. • 'Land of the Good Groove', Nile Rodgers: The Chic magic exposed. • 'Long Hot Summer', Style Council: White R&B has never bettered this. Best Imagination song so far complete with lousy dub. • 'Young Guns (Go, For It)', Wham! Despite exploitative marketing, these guys have got the notion though they live across the ocean. DUNCAN CAMPBELL FAVOURITE SOUNDS Love Is An Earthly Thing, Michael Prophet: Sweet and almost unbearably soulful Rastafari bedtime music. Check It! Mutabaruka: Hot and angry declarations from JA's newest dub poet. Inchpinchers, Wailing Souls: Jamaica's toughest vocal quartet delivers both wit and wisdom in inimitable style. Earth, Misty in Roots: British reggae at its best, at least until the next Aswad LP. Staggering Heights, Singers and Players: Taking reggae another step into the future, with an all-start cast. OUTRAGE OF THE YEAR • None of the above albums can be bought in your record store. CASUALTIES • Michael Smith • Prince Far I. GIGS • Hunters and Collectors, Gluepot. • Toots and the Maytals, Mainstreet. VIDEO • 'Soweto' Malcolm McLaren ANTI-CLIMAX •FM Radio

MARK EVERTON ALBUMS Speaking in Tongues, Talking Heads: "If someone asks this is where I'll be, where I'll be."

Call of the West, Wall of Voodoo: American psychotics wrench one straight from the heartland. Big Sideways, Big Sideways Band: Talent and committment. A constant inspiration. The Fireman's Curse, Hunters and Collectors: The Outback lives and breeds and screams and dies. All on vinyl. Punch the Clock, Elvis Costello: Another master stroke. EP OF THE YEAR Payload, Hunters and Collectors: Didn't quite blow up the Campus Radio transmitter but gave it a dman good fright SONGS • 'l'll Be Around' Spinners and Try A Little Tenderness' Aretha (both rediscovered). • This Must Be the Place', Talking Heads • Never Stop', Echo and the Bunnymen. • 'Pinpoint', Miltown Stowaways. • Ode to Boy', Yazoo. • 'Billie Jean'/'Beat It', Michael Jackson. • 'Death and the Maiden', Verlaines. LIVE Hunters and Collectors, Big Sideways, Miltown Stowaways, Jive Bombers. COUNTRY Australia: A great year. Hunters and Collectors, Birthday Party, Laughing Clowns, Go-Betweens. Where's it all coming from? - ' GEORGE KAY ALBUMS Sin of Pride, the Undertones: Quite simply the best-looking ex-band around, winners of the 'Lets Break Up Before We Make Any Money' award. Punch the Clock, Elvis Costello: Tony Bennett's right hand man and nice guy of the year (again). Speaking in Tongues, Talking Heads: Funking in music and still looking gaunt in shades. Before Hollywood, Go-Betweens: And before fame let's hope they're this good after their 12th platinum. Miami, the Gun Club: Geoffrey Lee Pierce: "You play that again and you're fired." SINGLES • 'Long Hot Summer', Style Council. • 'Modern Love', David Bowie. • 'Blue Monday', New Order. • 'Nobody's Diary', Yazoo. • 'New Year's Day', U2 (club or albums versions only).

CHRIS KNOX IRISH RECORD OF THE YEAR: If I Die, I Die Virgin Prunes. SUPERGROUP OF THE YEAR: ShriekbacklMHNHHßHHM FLIPSIDE OF THE YEAR: Ludd Gang' the Fall. EX VELVET UNDERGROUND RECORD OF THE YEAR: Legendary Hearts Lou Reed. EX VELVET UNDERGROUND RECORD OF LAST YEAR: Music for. a New Society John Cale. EMOTIONAL EVENT OF THE YEAR: John Cale at the Gluepot. DELIGHTFULLY EXTREME DEBUT OF THE YEAR: Simulators at the Gluepot'SMHa FLYING NUN RECORDS OF THE YEAR (Sorry, gotta be honest): 'Flesh' Children's Hour, "Yellow Read Aloud' Marie and the rAt omJUBBBSBI DISGUSTING, ABSURD FARCE OF THE YEAR: : The Music Awards. . MARK PHILLIPS ALBUMS Work for Love, Ministry: For restoring some faith in modern white America. A 1 Green's Greatest Hits Vol 1 & 2: For converting me to his way of thinking. The Luxury Gap, Heaven 17: For crossing all dominions (my Mum bought it).

Punch the Clock, Elvis Costello: Amazing what a beard and some new glasses will do for your songwriting. Sin of Pride, the Undertones: .Who had to break up to get that big break 7 (a : UK hit single). SINGLES' • 'Get the Balance Right', Depeche ModelOpßapMMfißß • • 'King of Soul', James Brown. • 'Just Got Lucky', Joßoxers. . • Those Days', Car Crash Set. • 'Long Hot Summer', Style Council. ■' ; CHOCOLATE BARS 1. Mars 2. Bounty 3. Rationpack 4. Luxury Flake 5. Chocolate Macaroons (whole packets) (Just in case you want to know what to get me for Xmas) DAVID TAYLOR [ ALBUMS Sin of Pride, the Undertones: No falls, .the.final glory. Juju Music, King Sunny Ade: The apolitical, sunny face of African music. Punch the Clock, Elvis Costello: No liberties taken, you can always trust Costello. Labour of Love, UB40: A welcome return to form. Pass the Riunite. Lambrusco. The Crackdown, Cabaret

Voltaire: Why kill time when you can kill yourself? INTERNATIONAL SINGLES 'Little Red Corvette', Prince: Beats hell out of Saturday night in] the Zephyr. . 'Temptation', New Order: Their finest shot, 'Temptation' puts an end to Blue Mondays. 'Stop That Train', Clint Eastwood and General Saint: Two bad ID Jj remake Marley perfection plus. 'Fields of Fire' Big Country: Charismatic. anthem, I'm taking j the high road to Scotland. 'Long Hot Summer', Style Council: Wrinkle-free summer music. . ’ INZ SONGS 1. 'Death and the Maiden', Verlaines . 2. 'Stars in My Eyes', Screaming , Meemees ' ’ 3. 'Banana Republic', Pelicans 4. Amnesia', Sneaky Feelings 5. Getting Older', the Clean (Oddities version, somehow more relevant than the 45). PETER THOMSON albums ; Punch the Clock, Elvis Costello: The tension between fierce originality and reverence towards tradition results in near perfection. Wild Things Run Fast,. Joni Mitchell: Possibly her best for 10 years and I'm still hopelessly in love. What is Beat? the Beat: Best of the 'Best Ofs' and a free dub album as a bonus.

Once Bitten, Annabel Lamb: Most promising debut. Mature in both aim and executima! l^Bß^pm Renee Live, Renee Geyer: Best live album. Great soul singer, great material, excellent band, great recording. ' VIDEO CLIPS 'lt's Raining Men', Weather Girls: Huge hit, high camp, helpless : hilarity. Beat It', Michael Jackson: Yeah, I know, it's West Side Story revisited but Michael's still the best mover on TV. T 999", Prince: The second best

mover. 'Corvette's' probably got snappier stepping but this wins out for the pouting ] and primping. 'Come Dancing' the Kinks: Superb enhancement of song-lyric storyline as Davies (in dual roles) evokes his beloved English heritage. 'Gimme All Your Loving], ZZ Top: The band looks eccentric, the girls look sexy and the car's a classic. ~vV, S. J. TOWNSHEND alu»MB Sin of Pride, Undertones: Sweet, very soulful from the late, lamented Irishmen. Pigs: on Purpose, Nightingales: Absolutely, stupid stuff but typically coarse and cutting. Fall in a Hole, the Fall: I'd sell my sister down the river, to see the Fall I live'(agairi]^P^^QjHPHßm| Before Hollywood, the GoBetweens: Delicate, wistful, complex and fine-spun. Miami, the Gun Club: Somewhat watered-down, very much superior to 'Death Party'. SINGLE.OF THE YEAR • 'The Man Whose, Head Expanded', the Fall ! MOST MISSED NZ GROUPS • First XV and Nocturnal' Projections BEST CONCERT • John Cale ENTREPRENEURS OF THE YEAR • Alternative Entertainment BureUTHHBBBBnpBn WATERSHED OF THE YEAR • Flying Nun's release of Fall in a Hole MURRAY CAMMICK aIbumsJIB&HHBI Nona, Nona Hendryx: A mature, perfect statement from an eighties'

woman. Forever, For Always, For Love, Luther Vandross: The modern Sam Cooke sweet sentiments, tough funk. Tell Mr Bland, Bobby Bland: A return to fine old-fashioned form. DANCE • 'Soweto', Malcolm -McLaren: Different riddums made relevant. 'Fabulous video. i • 'Music'/'Don't Ya Wanna Ride', D Train: 'This train is so exciting" machine soul adventures. • • "Land of the Good Groove', Nile Rodgers: The Chic magic exposed. • 'Long Hot Summer 7 Style Council: White R&B has never bettered this. Best Imagination song so far complete with lousy dub. • • 'Young Guns (Go, For It)', Wham! Despite exploitative] marketing, these guys have got the* notion though they live across the ocean. RATBAG, BROWN & CAIN BARMAN OF THE YEAR • Colin, Queen's Ferry. DAVID PERKINS ALBUMS Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, Van Morrison: This musician's finest [ since Astral ; Week's. Live, Moving Hearts: Irish band give traditional music new, guise.’ ■ A , Child's Adventure, Marianne ■ FaithfulL Proves Broken English was no fluke. Trans, Neil Young: Why can't people do something different? .. Infidel, Bob Dylan: Less dogma on this' superbly -crafted return to form. Hand of Kindness, Richard Thompson: He puts the grunt < back in folk rock.

GREG COBB RECORDINGS 'Rain', Dragon: Love the drumming single of the year. Pyromania, Def Leppard: Year's best metal album. Just Came Home to Count the Memories, John Andersen: Best country album of the year. Thunder and Lightning, Thin Lizzy: Best undiscounted album of 1983. Pride, Robert Palmer: Class, mate! CHRIS CADDICK ALBUMS Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, Van Morrison: Musical magic for the heart, body and mind. Eliminator, ZZ Top: Boogie deluxe nobody does it better. Script for a Jester's Tear, Marillion: Stirring, old-fashioned, pomp rock.

Out of Hand, Coney Hatch: Hard rock from the land of April Wine. The Memory Kinda Lingers, Not The 9 o'clock News: A comedy album you can listen to more than once.