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Rip It Up, Issue 137, 1 December 1988, Page 4

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WRITE TO: RIU LETTERS, , PO 80X5689, AUCKLAND 1 Rank & Rile On the subject of your review of the Smiths' Rank album, I believe that some points need to be clarified. Firstly your writer notes that it is surprising that two songs appear for a third time on Rank. A live performance usually includes a majority of songs that are part of a band's latest album. Therefore find it not surprising in the least that these two ’ songs are present.. Also a fact missed by your reviewer is that this is the third record 'Still lII' has appeared on; following The Smiths it was on the radio session collection Hatful Hollow. It is subtle to differentiate between album, single compilation and live record releases. . Your reviewer seems to criticise the live version of some songs as not being as subtle as the band's studio releases. By God, this was a live performance — if the audience had wished for studio versions they could have stayed at home with their treasured vinyl. I agree that Smiths studio releases are superior but what do you expect? Rank should be reviewed on the basis of being a live album. And if Johnny Marr wanted a bit of extra guitar on the album, he should be applauded. I mean, Johnny Marr was the Smiths. Frankly, MrStarky Strait Restraint I am writing regarding the Straitjacket Fits article in November's Rip It Up. A comment made by me during an interview with Angela Jonasson referred to Terry Moore, the producer of our debut album, as "dictatorial." I wish to withdraw that statement as it is inaccurate and was at the time an instance of thoughtless expression. For Terry and the band the recording of an album was a new venture and, ultimately, a learning experience. Inevitably over three months of •; recording, the project had its low periods. One often tends to unfairly point fingers when perhaps unreasonable expectations are not met. The comment made was a reflection of this and, in retrospect, unjustified. Andrew Brough