eli (11/17/82)
Here's some thoughts on recent releases... Berlin -- Pleasure Victim (M.A.O.) Very strong electro-pop, with often hypnotizing female vocals. For those who heard their single "Metro" (which is included on the LP), the album is in the same vein. Toni Basil -- Word of Mouth (Chrysalis) Sure, "Mickey" is getting ground completely to death, both on MTV and all the top-40 new wave radio stations... but for those of us who don't watch MTV, and listen to alternative radio, it's a good high-school cheer. The rest of the LP is almost passable (and her cover of David Essex's "Rock On" has been called laughable). Dead Kennedys -- Bleed For Me/Life Sentence (Faulty) Sure, these guys started out by thinking up the most offensive name they could... one that has since been surpassed. But they still offer some of the more intelligent hardcore around. And this time they've included a lyric sheet! Devo -- Oh, No! It's Devo (Warner Brothers) They certainly named this album correctly. I was really intrigued when these guys bounced out of Spudland, with their message of devolution, and their sound of disappearing guitars. However, they seem to have gotten as old and repetitive as all of the bands they claimed to replace. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers -- Long After Dark (Backstreet/MCA) For those who like Petty (as I do) I think this disc will be pleasing. For those who don't like him, well I think you get the message. Nothing especially new sound-wize... except of course a whole album full of new Petty compositions. Joe Piscopo -- I Love Rock'N'Roll (Medley) (CBS) Current, talented, Saturday Night Live star. This disc features Piscopo's Sinatra imitation on a medley of todays current hits. If you thought Sid Vicious doing "My Way" was funny, wait until you hear the tables turned around. Prince -- 1999 (Warner Brothers) Don't let your mother catch you listening to this. Actually most of the lyrics are surprisingly clean. And a few of the tunes are very catchy dance-funk-soul. A double album that, unfortunately, once again shows how often doubles could/should be trimmed down to singles. Rachel Sweet -- Blame It On Love (CBS) This one's funny... one day I like it, and the next I swear I'll never listen to any of her albums except the first. She's definitely moving away (far, far away) from the quirky little girl sound that was so prevalent on "Fool Around". The back cover seems to tell the story... a rather attractive 20-year-old girl dressed up and posed very vamp-like. She even co-wrote and co-produced most of the LP. Holly Beth Vincent -- Holly and the Italians (Epic) This is another one that took many listenings to grow on me. The first album (from the then-called 'Holly and the Italians') was a real disappointment for me, after having heard the single. But this one is quite another story. Many strong songs, much more interesting vocals. Young Executives -- Honey, I'm Home... (Briefcase) Might as well give the local boys a plug. This is a Seattle based band that recently put out their own EP... it may or may not find its way around the country, but it's certainly worth looking for. Ska influenced R'n'R. Someone told me recently that this news channel is not the proper one for posting reviews, and that in fact it is chartered for discussing record collector-type info (such as 'Where can I find a mint copy of The Beatles and Frank Ifield for under a dollar?'). Is this true? I was told to send reviews to net.music, but our mailer doesn't seem to know abou this news group. If any one knows, please inform me, 'k? More to follow (unless I am asked to discontinue these activities...). ... uw-beaver!eli