45S

Rip It Up, Issue 46, 1 May 1981, Page 16

45S

Blam Blam Blam 12 inch EP (Propeller) Following in the footsteps of the Features, comes this fourtrack EP from the three-piece Blams. 'Maids to Order' deals with centrefolds and hinges on ska rhythms and Blamatic sax from drummer Don McGlashan. 'Battleship Grey' is far more uptempo and exceedingly tight. Blue Belmonts' is about the obvious, but well put. 'Respect' is the most ambitious cut pulsating bass, haunting horn, simplistic yet captivating. Musical dexterity and spoton production make this a release worthy of international recognition. Broken Dolls Typical Girls (Epic) Strong debut from this classysounding four-piece. Typical Girls' receives a semi-dub production, and benefits from some nice sax and a tight rhythm section. On the flip is 'Living', more of a ballad. Both songs are by Spillane and Lynch. Penknife Glides Laugh or Cry (WEA) Well-packaged, first time single from the up-and-coming Glides. 'Laugh or Cry' is strong lyrically, though it perhaps suffers a little from technological failings. On the reverse is 'Taking the Weight Off', an infectious piece of white reggae. Smelly Feet EP (Real Records) Smelly Feet is actually Brent from Shoes This High. Selfindulgent warbling that features three songs, 'OHMS', ‘Festered Toe' and 'Comparisons'. Some may call it experimental, others will call it ****. Write to Box 6972 Auckland if you want to find out for yourself. Cult Hero I Dig You (Stunn) Rumour has it that this is early Cure material. It does have the same feel, but that could be Chris Parry's production. 'I Dig You' is a meaningless ditty with a cockney accent. The flip is I'm a Cult Hero'.