Shake Summation

Rip It Up, Issue 107, 1 June 1986, Page 24

Shake Summation

Peking Man Good Luck to You (CBS 12”) This has been on high rotate for several weeks, and it sticks out — which is more of a comment on commercial radio than the song. Although it lacks the catchiness of ‘Room that Echoes’ and ‘Lift Your Head Up High it could be more typical of Peking Man: studied funk, extremely well-crafted, but over-worked so that it's squeaky clean and antiseptic. Apart from the cocktail jazz sax, only Margaret Urlich’s harmonies provide much character. That's the 77 —

over 12” the song is stretched to its limits, with a few more instruments thrown in by producer Bruce Lynch. Once again, so careful — why do | keep getting distracted? ‘Get the Feeling’ indeed; Peking Man might be falling into the “tasty licks” trap. Pop Mechanix Celebration of the Skin

(Hit Singles) Arresting opening from the drummer Kevin Emmett, then it's

U2 for the guitar lines and verses; Pop Mechanix emerge on the chorus — male duos seem to be essential currently — but it works on you finally. Heavy pop that’s retained its grittiness. ‘Land of Broken Dreams, “mastered from a cassette dub’; is very refreshing with its ringing acoustic guitars. Quirky vocals (Paul Scott) to a lovely sad melody. A cut-rate baroque production from Eddie Rayner; love the witty use of timpanis. Ardijah

Give Me Your Number (Pagan) Full of life, it leaps out from this batch with its energetic synth hook. Lightweight, but that’s what's good about it. The breathyvoiced Betty Monga is a smooth, assured pop singer, and while the plucked bass might be a cliche, it's essential for the funk sound. The HM guitar solo is the perfect touch and even the cut-off ending works. The instrumental version on the Bside shows how backing music can stand up on its own. The guitar solo is even more over-the-top, but its tongue is firmly in cheek. Excellent. Beat Soldiers

Conversation (Ode) Bottom heavy from the start, surprising for producer/engineer Phil Yule. When the vocalist stops singing to the floor and gets out

of the lower register he proves to be the best feature. Started out as early Simple Minds, with the Doors’ ‘Love Me Two Times' riff thrown in, but neither influence is developed. On ‘Comfortable Living’ the pastiche is perfected; ringing guitar lines, and anthemic stadium sound which falls away for a meaningful chorus, then back to the guitar lines ... there’s no question who these guys want to be, but they haven't got the edge. Chris Bourke

Sneaky Feelings

Better Than Before

(Flying Nun 12”) Firstly, '‘Better Than Before’ is not the work of melancholic beauty that ‘Husband House’ was, and I must admit to being very disappointed when | first heard and saw iton TV. Happily, having heard the record, | can say that ‘Better Than Before' is another very good song from the Sneakys, but less impressed am | with the song’s production. In the end it manages to lead the song nowhere, as despite being full of sounds, the production falters just when it needs to punch.

On the flip, things get enjoyably country-Byrdsy with pedal steel geetar from Red McKelvie on

David Pine's ‘Wouldn't Cry, and there’s also John Kelcher’s sad another-day-at-the-pub ‘Here’s to the Other Six, recorded at Strawberry Fields. Paul McKessar