Shake Summation

Rip It Up, Issue 95, 1 June 1985, Page 36

Shake Summation

Russell Brown

The Mockers One Black Friday (RCA) Another stab at making the perfect Mockers single; and quite a nice one at that. Apart from some very cheesy keyboard bits it’s subtle and sparse, Andrew has a melody he sounds comfortable singing ... it’s a pleasant little pop song nothing more. The flip, ’Another Day’ is just as nice and very similar. It’s ironic that Andrew Fagan can be so interesting while the music’s working towards anything but. The Buckets Full (Bucket Records) Three likeable but not exceptional bits of power pop in a purple and orange cover. ‘Burn The Flag’ starts things off jauntily and even seems to steal a bit from The Star Spangled Banner’ a bit like a poppy Big Country. ‘Bucket Baby’ is silly and ’No Answer' is a more measured version of the same style. At least they sound like they’re enjoying themselves. Aotearoa Maranga Ake Ai (Jayrem) Aotearoa are nine young Maoris who gathered together with the stated aim of making music that combined various musical idioms

with taha Maori and it’s interesting that it’s the indigenous elements that make this record. 'Maranga Ake Ai' features some great singing and a militant lyric let down by the music, a standard, innocuous club reggae glide. Despite sounding rather familiar, the fine singing and rhythm work carry the flip, 'Flaruru Mai; through to be rather better than the A-Side. Grey Parade Call To The Trees (Hit Singles) Agreeably catchy, stylish and melodic without really being exciting, ‘Call To The Trees’ sounds like a polished-up Diehards with much improved singing from Mr Ed. The flip, 'Years and Years’, sounds a bit like Sneaky Feelings’ ‘Amnesia’ (yup!) in places and would be good but for the icky synth setting. Violet Summer The Morning Before (Jayrem) Hmmm ... a curious record. Steve Wilson plays most of the instruments and sings in a foppish, Bolanish way (rain equals“reen" and pain, “peen”). The Morning Before’ is a little melodic, a little arty, a little psychedelic and, if taken with a pinch of salt, a little tasty, especially the echoey flute.

’False Words’ is at its best with the occasional injection of the guitar sound that the Glitter Band useta have but lets itself down with a silly acoustic guitar/percussion break in the middle. 'l’ll Never Let You Down’ has a good tune but not much of a lyric. It’d be nice to hear Wilson with a good group around him rather than being left to his own devices, he sounds twisted enough to produce something really good. I do trust he has a sense of humour though. Vietnam (Jayrem) An odd mixture of pop and sombreness here actually the singer sounds like a cross between Andy Fagann and lan Curtis in places. Best track is the instrumental, ’China Tonite’, with its cheeky pinch of the ‘Flarry Lyon Theme’ bassline. ‘Another Day’ is pleasant too but ‘Behind the Paintings' sounds a bit too much like a couple of JD songs for comfort. It would all flow a lot better if the drummer didn’t sound like he was trying to imitate a cheap drum machine. Fear Of Extinction (Jayrem) Four songs that seem to mean well but miss the mark. Dominaht basslines propel the songs but don't make up for a lack of melodies and some hopeless singing, so the songs don’t flow. Best track is the Wire-ish 'Hands Off the Home Team; but I dunno if Wellington ever recovered from that Cure party.