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Rip It Up, Issue 49, 1 August 1981, Page 20

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Joy Division Atmosphere/ She's Lost Control (Factory) 'Atmosphere' the song, atmosphere the ' production. The vocals - hover shakily around the melody, never quite getting there, the drums majestic-magnificent, the bass riff nibbling away tenaciously until, suddenly, it's the record's chief hook, and keyboards filling the sound out to a Spectorian expanse. Don't walk away, in silence, don't walk away. Superb. 'She's Lost Control'. Far less lordly, percussion right' up front and a melody that really isn't , one. Sorta like cluttered badly-mixed Kraftwerk. But it still holds ybuTflgßOHnH Roy Colbert

Tall Dwarfs ’ ■ Nothing's Going to Happen (Furtive) Two guitars and a bedroom is normally a fatal combination, as many a would-be can tell you, but it seems that Knox and Bathgate can't shake off the habit of making excellent singles. This is every bit as good as those first two Toy Love efforts, and as different as you could get while still retaining Knox's voice. Great tunes, inspired two-man arrangements and New Zealand's best rock and roll singer. Let's hope he doesn't settle down to a life of record reviewing. Dave Dobbyn Bull by the Horns (Epic) Another distinctive voice with an ear for a weird arrangement. I don't like 'Bull By The Horns' nearly as much as 'Lipstick Power' yet, but I'm working on it. Both sides move at a crawl that keeps you checking your turntable, and 1 have no more clear idea what they are about than 'Lipstick Power', but I'm working on it. And that's a recommendation.

; Blam Blam Blam BBbKm There Is No Depression In New Zealand (Propeller) The Blams have up to now • suffered from a slight studio chill ;on their recorded work, the result perhaps of too much engineering and too, little production. The two songs here go a long way to crossing that divide. 'No Depression' mirrors the bluster of its lyrics with an unsettling -sing-along ’ treat- , ment, while 'Gotta Be Guilty', by stripping down to a single prominent voice, gives■ them a new clarity of focus../ Otis Mace & Rex Reason Mecca (Ripper) *.’ .: "j Otis Mace, receives -a ; production job for the first time in his life, and '.'the result could well be a hit. Any kind of success would be welcome if it meant that Otis, Rex and Band could get some of their own songs on record. The . instrumental B-side, along with the Tall Dwarfs' disc, proves you - can- record a great-sounding . track for under SSO. Alastair Riddell Zero (Warrior) I once got into trouble with Alastair Riddell when he thought I was criticising him, while I thought I was praising him. The ambiguity count is a little down this time, because I don't think this is a particularly good record not for him, anyway. Beat Rhythm Fashion Beings Rest Finally (Bunk) ' I read about these guys in In Touch, and they sounded like jerks, but this record is a lot better than that: A piano intro and a gentle chug but how I wish they'd ban the sale of guitar dangers in Wellington and Christchurch. The Mockers Trendy Lefties (Bunk) • I also read about these guys and they sounded like somebody's little brothers. Wrong again. This record definitely grows, although I still think it's too long. Its hook definitely catches, though, and I heard it on the radio the other night and I can't help feeling that's just where the Mockers want it to be. The Puppets Broken Dreams (Bunk) New Zealand heavy metal comes in many, forms most often in Sex Pistols' T-shirts but this is a variation. 'Broken Dreams' has a riff, just like the old days, but it has Swingeresque la la las in the chorus. Alms For Children Danny Boy (Rem) AFC seem set for the postpunk audience an aggressive, yet clean sound and plenty of echoes of Gang of Four. Suitable lyrical savagery, too, but perhaps a touch hollow? Broken Dolls Serenade (Epic) ud re cord A su J pr ßroken Dolls. 'Serefrom the Broken este nade * p and even the longdrumming and e a( the en d K^Smmo^l, RS: *oi e iy,^Co r- . v No «R Wand pubs fe*df the V- muc h as you £2; Jlve Talk' is ft Some body wS expect from * country bl u Z° bee , n Paying f 01 it more b* ro l , s,x ties l Ackers liketo nUCkied than r' nd ? f music tobe imaßlne this Fra ncis Stark

Rip It Up, No. 49, August 'Bl Post all correspondence to Rip It Up, PO Box 5689, Auck. 1. Editor Murray Cammick Assistant Editor Mark Phillips Advertising Enquiries Phone 370-653 Rip It Up is typeset by Artspec and printed by Putaruru Press. Thanks to Ngila Dicksen and Andrew Green on paste-up, Francis Stark for sub-editing and Metro for proofreading.

Siouxie and the Banshees - Spellbound (Polydor) 'Spellbound' is the first single from the Banshees' album, Ju Ju. ; Both powerful and memorable, jit confirms Siouxie. as the first • lady of modern ‘British music. The flip is 'Follow the Sun', strange drums and oriental sounds. The Teardrop Explodes Reward (Mercury) Following the superb Kilimanjaro, comes this single. The meatiest brass I've heard for a while jumps out of the speakers and grabs | you. Although it sounds like a number one, what's the bet you won't hear it ■ on] the radio? j I think the word | for the flip is psychedelic. The Passions I'm In Love With A German Film Star (Polydor) This record had the honour of being NME single of the ' week six months ago. Although quite tasteful, it was vastly over-rated, ; leaning heavily on ■ early^Cure/jpiflßßHflßfi Dexys Midnight Runners Show Me (Mercury) Dexy's label is new, but. that's all. This is a very ordinary song that survives on the brass. The other side is 'Soon' Kevin Rowlands alone with a piano and his ego. I might have to burn my little woolly hat.'. The Jam Funeral Pyre (Polydor) . Going Underground The latest offering from the Rickenbacker messiahs is a typical Jam song sadly not as strong as most of Sound Affects: It does, however, finish in a tremendous blaze of glory. Flip is the old Townshend song, 'Disguises'. 'Going Underground', the band's .most successful single has been re-released, and the fact that it is not obtainable on any album makes it essential buying for the Jam fan. Adam and the Ants Stand and Deliver (CBS) All of a sudden, it's hard to take Ant seriously. This one has a neat sleeve and wonderful video, but the song does neither of them justice. Still, it's all good fun, and Gary Glitter likes him. The other side is Beat My Guest'. Ouch. Visage > Visage (Re-mix) (Polydor) This is indeed the title track of the Visage album remixed. It has been transformed into a very creditable synthesiser single. A Hit. 'Second Steps' isn't off the album. It's slow and funky —■ good late night listening. The Fall . Totally Wired (Rough Trade) The Fall have been described as "rough and grumble" very apt. 'Totally Wired' is probably their most commercial song, as far as that goes. It sticks in your brain. 'Putta Block' starts, stops, changes _ tempo and makes noises detrimental to your health. Great stuff.

PlasticsßmgffiPEplHHHjßl Diamond Head (Island) The Plastics are Japan's number one musical export (after imitation Gibson guitars). 'Diamond Head' is tongue-in-cheek disco of the sort favoured by New Yorkers ' like Kid Creole. The catalogue number is Nip 1. The Go Go's Our Lips are Sealed (IRS) Go Go's are all girls from the States. Their song lodges instantly in the memory banks and they have the advantage of making Debby Harry look old. Mark PhiUips^^^hHp.