Singles bar

Rip It Up, Issue 91, 1 February 1985, Page 34

Singles bar

Mark Phillips

The Kane Gang Closest Thing To Heaven 12" (London) For me the Kane Gang are one of the most exciting white bands to emerge in the last 12 months. Hailing from the North of England, they have displayed a true feel for energy and soul without losing their individuality or resorting to publicity mongering. Their cover of the Staple Singers' Respect Yourself' is pure dynamite, as is Small Town Creed; a single in its . own right, which luckily for us appears on the flip of Closest Thing To Heaven! So what about the A - side. I hear you say ? Well. ' it's a smooth and distinguished radio ballad with more than a hint of the Stevie Wonders love it. The Associates Waiting For the Loveboat 12" Billy Mackenzie has always deserved admiration and most of the time he's managed to get it. Produced by Martin Rushent, Loveboat' is an ambitious piece and in its 7" form is probably pure delight. Stretched to more than eight minutes on the 12" it gets lost and meanders into screeching guitars and vocal wails Exquisite sleeve makes it almost worthwhile, except the printers ruined it.

Feelabeelia Feel It 12" (Interdisc) Feelabeelia are another English outfit with American leanings This 12" has Quincy Jones' name plastered all over it. but don't be fooled, he actually had nothing to do with it Tight and tuneful, it features some Wonderful harmonica and a strong dancefloor resonance. Perfect for university FM stations Sylvester Rock the Box (Chrysalis) No one makes disco records like flabby faggots and Sylvester is the King, sorry. Queen of them all. Punchy and even more infectious than Aids, this is the disco record of the last six months Fantastic.

Lloyd Cole and the * Commotions Forest Fire 12" (Folydor). Much as I love this track I can't help hearing Springsteen's 'Fire' all the way through it. Smouldering hunk (of) Cole burns his way through one of the most likeable radio songs of the year, endearing himself to just about everybody Of particular interest is his version of Tom Verlaine's Glory' on the other side, an insight into how young Lloyd developed that distinctive vocal style. Shrlekback Mercy Dash (Arista) Shriekback have made two less than startling albums and a coupie of great singles. Mercy Dash continues the tradition Clever and rhythmic, it thumps along almost too fast, leaving a pleasant taste without much afterbum Bronski Beat It Ain't Necessarily So 12" (London) I always knew George and Ira Gershwin would make it one day All it takes is a little assistance from some oh-so- persecuted boys with no hair. I just hope they don't pick on Cole Porter next I wonder if Jimmy will have his legs amputated in the video that always

gels'em going. lan McCulloch . " September Song (WEA) Mr Bunnyperson himself unfolds his alter ego in the form of this old streetside cafe ditty More than a shock, this is liable to put ardent Bunnymen fans off the new velvetine Mac for life. Buy it for your mum or maybe even your granny. ‘Cockles and Mussels' on the other side is fantastic, they don't write 'em like that anymore, sheer unadulterated codswallop. Hunters and Collectors Throw Your Arms Around Me (White Label) Now hold on a second we all know how good the Go-Betweens are and we all know the qualities of Hunters and Collectors Why then are the Melbourne doctors and lawyers trying to pretend to be influenced by cattle, cane and country? Brothers Johnson You Keep Me Coming Back (A&M) Smooth as silk, the Brothers Johnson wash over your whole body Expertly produced by Mr Groove, Leon Sylvers 111, this could almost be mistaken for the Whispers.