Singles bar

Rip It Up, Issue 86, 1 September 1984, Page 28

Singles bar

Frankie Goes To Hollywood Two Tribes (Annihilation) 12” (ZTT) There seem to be so many mixes of this song that each time you hear it it sounds different. This is at least the third or fourth one that’s graced these lugholes. It’s just as well the lyrics are controversial 'cos you can’t bloody dance to it. Frankie’s cover of Edwin Starr’s 'War' is the best thing they've done and that’s also on here somewhere. Yarbrough and Peoples Don’t Waste Your Time 12” (Total Experience) This is my favourite for this month, a great SOS Band-style groove epic. Fantastic lyrics all about girls stealing their friends’ men. Another short 12”, clocking in at only eight minutes, about three too many unfortunately. Scritti Politti Absolute 12” (Virgin) What a pity Green looks like Bjorn Borg, because he makes good records. This one’s standard Scritti Mk II disco, tasty enough but not quite as high in the hook status as 'Wood Beez'. I wonder what he’s like at tennis? SOS Band Just the Way You Like 12” (Tabu) More elongated extendable grooves. Juicy music in the same vein as ‘Just Be Good To Me’ but perhaps a mite less commercial. Big in discos and on ghetto blasters but maybe not on radios and at nine minutes 40, well, marathons have been run in less than that! The Smiths What Difference Does It Make 12” (Rough Trade) I don’t go much on Morrissey’s mob meself, but this little tune seems to spiral its way into the innermost regions of the memory cells quite nicely. Dazzling jangly noises pretend to be guitars and Morrissey moans his way through tired apologies that

the song isn’t quite as good as he'd like to think it is. This Mortal Coil Sixteen Days Gathering Dust 12” (4AD) This Mortal Coil is comprised of various members of Modern English, the Cocteau Twins and an outfit called Cindytalk. It’s therefore not surprising that they sound like Joy Division with female vocals. Ersatz atmosphere music. Robert Gorl Darling Don’t Leave Me 12” (Mute) Robert was once half of German electronic duo D.A.F. For this latest single he has enlisted the help of Annie Lennox, a wise move. Thunderous electrohypnotic music not unlike the Eurhythmies in top form. David Sylvian Red Guitar 12” (Virgin) Remember a couple of years back when Japan pioneered a new synthsound, they even made two good albums. These days Mr Sylvian is so far up his own bum that he seems to have missed the whole point. I remember the fashion, but don’t have the clothes. Alf Moyet Love Resurrection 12” (CBS) Having left Vince to get on with it, Alf has found new songwriting partners in British

disco hit makers Swain and Jolley. A pleasant, if not startling, song but then in these days of mediocrity what can one expect? Probably a Top 10 hit. INXS Burn For You 30.5 cm (WEA) Here’s a naughty little number that comes to you courtesy of a great ’Funkytown’ rip-off. This could well be the real big one in INXS’ American campaign. Lively and nowhere near as painful as their last one. Expect to hear it on IZM for the next six months. Twisted Sister We’re Not Going To Take It (Atlantic) No, neither are we. This is so bad it doesn't deserve to even be considered. Mind you, on the B-Side is that heavy metal glam classic ‘You Can't Stop Rock ’n’ Roll', a song everyone should own, if only to annoy the neighbours. Break Machine Break Dance Party (RCA) Rubbish, rubbish, rubbish. The Catch 25 Years (Carrere) I can honestly say I’ve never heard of this bunch. They sound British but I wouldn’t put money on. Could have been a good commercial proposition if it wasn’t for the plodding arrangement. Mark Phillips