jims@hcrvax.UUCP (Jim Sullivan) (07/03/85)
Album reviews: Low Life by New Order. Another standout album by New Order. It's been two years since their last album, Power, Corruption and Lies; and New Order continues to grow. Low Life is a great album, a must for any serious new music lover. It's dance music you can listen to. Low Life continues the move by New Order to a more commercial sound, without forgetting their Joy Division roots. The mood is still dark, the songs are still about love and life, but it seems to be more accessible. The current 'hits' off the album, The Perfect Kiss and Love Vigilantes are the new New Order, while the rest of the album expands on their old tracks. One exception to this is the first cut on the second side. Elegia is a purely instrumental piece, and as I listened to it I though of Mike Oldfield and Tubular Bells. A change, and a great listen. The steady drum beat, and the melodic bass are still there, as are the rough vocals and the 'interesting' lyrics. Rating: 9++ on a scale of 10 Brewing Up With Billy Bragg by Billy Bragg (A Puckish Satire on Contemporary Mores) Who remembers John Otway? Social commentary, done with sparce production and simple music. Billy Bragg is currently hanging around Toronto, building a following, so it's cheap to see him now. But wait, he'll get big soon. Brewing Up with Billy Bragg is another great album. Stripped bare, with only a minimal production, Bragg's feelings about life and society are presented for all to see. Bragg is a pleasure, a folk singer for the Eighties. 'The folk of the eighties is the folk of the city' and Bragg is an urban poet. Get this album, play it often, and enjoy. It's available at a 'Special Nifty Price' ($4.99 Canadian) so, it's not like you're spending alot, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it more than that Honeydippers album you bought and listened to twice. Rating 7++ on a scale of 10 Chester J. Former on-air personality at CKMS, 94.5, 105.7 on Roger's Cable