Singles bar

Rip It Up, Issue 82, 1 May 1984, Page 6

Singles bar

West Street Mob Breakdance Electric Boogie 12" (RCA) Okay, I know you've had just about as many songs about bopping as you can possibly take. But just wait a second not only was this one of the first (it was released in the US last year), it's also one of the best. Superb studio techniques and a great gangster theme in the core of the song keep it hopping along nicely.' Not sure about that vocoder though. The Smiths

This Charming Man (New York) 12" (Rough Trade)

Love 'em or hate 'em, there is no denying the strength of this song. That meaty Motown bassline will get you every time and with lines like "I would go out tonight / But I haven't got a stitch to wear," this charming hippie couldn't go wrong. Style Council My Ever, Changing Moods 12" (Polydor)

Cool Weller and Twit Talbot seem to be overdoing everything these days. They make pointless videos, write pathetic pseudointellectual hip garbage on the covers of their records and generally make prize prats of themselves. Fortunately they still make great singles and this one has to be single of the month. Makes you feel like you are somewhere else. Bananarama

Robert de Niro's Waiting (London) No less than five songwriters worked on this one, including the Swain and Jolley team. For all that, the results are rather dim. Good hum-along chorus but precious little else. If the video's good expect a hit. Frank Sinatra

New York, New York (Reprise) Nice tone on this chap's voice and I sort of like the sloppy big band feel. If he gets the right break he may even be the next big thing.

Icehouse Taking On the Town 12" (Regular) ' . Glam is on the way.back and Iva Davies is taking no chances. If anyone is going to be Ziggy it's gonna be him. Big Country . Wonderland 12" (Mercury) ' Yet another huge yawn from a band that rutted itself after only : two singles. This one takes months to get going then limps through, propped up only by Steve Lillywhite's generous overproduction. A huge hit? Shalamar Deadline USA 12" (MCA) Part of a soundtrack belonging to DC Cab. Even Jellybean Benitez can't save this really naff song from- its fate of accompanying endless dance sequences. Mark Phillips