rpk (11/18/82)
Net.records seems to be the best place to post record reviews; live reviews
should probably goto to net.music. Also, general discussions on groups,
genres, and all that other stuff should go to net.music.
XTC: Beeswax (Virgin) album, British import
Waxworks (Virgin) album, British import
Well, it was inevitable: XTC has collected most (but not all) of its
B-sides of singles, which are just as good as their album material, on the
Beeswax album. Notable: a punchier version of `Heaven is Paved With Broken
Glass'; the sound quality is MUCH better than the singles were (I should know
I have most of them !). Waxworks is a good sampler: it has a shorter version
of `Sgt. Rock.' If you were ever intrigued by `Making Plans for Nigel' or
`Senses Working Overtime,' this is the album for you. I bought the two
shrink-wrapped together: if Virgin/Epic in the U.S. has any sense, they will
at least release Waxworks as a single album.
Thomas Dolby: The Golden Age Of Wireless (Harvest) album
This is sophisticated, pretty, yet passsionate pop for humans. The man
has a command of synthesiser sounds that complements his rather classical
approach to arrangements and song structure. Standouts: the wistful
`Leipzig,' quirky `Urges,' and the charming, nostalgic `Europa and the Pirate
Twins.'
Bill Nelson: The Love That Whirls (Mercury) album, British import
Ex-BeBop Deluxe guitarist makes bouncy, seductive, impressionistic pop
of the post-Bowie school. His guiatar playing is delightfully sinuous (like
Phil Manzanera's); he has a good ear for sound; and the synthesised percussion
clanks funkily along on tehe upbeat tracks. The British version comes with an
interesting, experimental-sounding soundtrack for a stage production of `The
Beaty and the Beast.' TPVC (Jem) carries the record in America.
Bongos: Drums Along The Hudson (PVC) album
`Hoboken's Pride' delights the listener with quirky, folky, jpop that sounds
both familiar and new (well, kinda like an XTC blend, maybe). Their cover of
`Mambo Sun' is a killer. One complaint: the lyrics do get a bit oblique at
times. The boys should be doing some stuff for RCA in the near future.
Bauhaus: Ziggy Stardust/Third Man (Beggars Banquet) single, British import
A side is a semi-chaotic cover of the Bowie tune we all know and love,
with an eerily accurate vocal. The flip is an interesting, dense rendition of
the Eno ttune I didn't know, but will try to like. I'm no big Bauhaus expert, but
this stuff is supposed to be quite different from what they `normally' do.
That's all fer now....
Robert Krajewski UUCP: ...!mitccc!rpk
Arpa: RpK@MC