SINGLES

Rip It Up, Issue 16, 1 October 1978, Page 18

SINGLES

Jeremy Templer

Listen, let's forget all the rules for the moment In the world of the 45rpm single, time is everything. When a new song is played on the radio it’s likely to be sandwiched between an ad for bigger clocks of cheese and whatever the John Travolta single is that week. These three or four minutes have to count.

THE FASTEST SINGLE OF THE MONTH "Saturday Night Stay at Home" Suburban Reptiles (2.26), Auckland's New Wave has lived and since died; the Suburban Reptiles were there to present both its worst and its best moments on record Not a 12-inch single this time but, in losing five inches, the Reps have gained a million miles on "Megaton”.. Indeed, this may signify the end of the Suburban Reptiles (as we know them). Former-Split Enz Phil Judd is the lead guitarist, arranger and producer for "Saturday Night" and its flip, "45 Single", and his presence is no doubt the reason for the band's improvement. Buster Stiggs wrote "Saturday Night", providing fivestar accommodation for Judd's fast-moving guitar riffs. And vocalist Zero can at last be heard. Aural stimulation is the key here; from metal machine to lounge lizards in one easy lesson.

RUNNERS-UP “Two Tickets to Paradise” Eddie Money (3.07) Eddie Money was once a New York cop but it's obvious that at heart he always wanted to be a rock star. He attacks this song with the gusto of a true fan and, in his hands, even a theme as well-worked as this sounds new. "Like Clockwork” Boomtown Rats (3.23) This could have come from any Sparks LP, but it's probably better off where it is. "The Ladder Song" Citizen Band (3.28) Their songs can be both frustrating and embar-

rassing but here the lads have got it all together, as it were Shorter than the album version, Geoff Chunn's tale of broken ladders rocks with energy and suspense. "Surrender” Cheap Trick (3.39) In little over a year Cheap Trick has released three LPs and Rick Nielsen continues to write sure-fire hits with apparent effortlessness. "Surrender" is the best song on Heaven Tonight and, with its flip side Auf Wiadersehen”, combines heavy pop with often bizarre humour. More weirdness of this kind is to be encouraged

"Are You Old Enough?’! Dragon (3.57) Dragon's worst songs are both simple and bland but this song is appealingly simple with enough good hooks to trip all but the deaf. One thing,: however, still worries me: can Dragon become Americans as easily as they become Australians?