Letters

Rip It Up, Issue 118, 1 May 1987, Page 2

Letters

Post to ‘RIU’ Letters, PO Box 5689, Auckland 1

Wake Up! : To Rip It Up: So, Chad Taylor, you're not enthused about songs on emotional insecurity (ie, the penile variety), expression of women and gays and pressure to conform to the “NZ male” stereotype? Wake up! These are things that matter close to home. Sure Billy Bragg has a very strong stance on larger affecting issues and he puts it across with real power, but that could be because he's the exception rather than the rule; he's not amacho shithead and seems well adjusted as far as treating other human beings is concerned.

Nick Smith also has a very strong message; before you try to change the world (this is not detracting from Billy Bragg's viewpoint in any way) take a damn good look at yourself. We, as males in this country, especially need a shake up of attitudes and emotional expression.

Bollocks to your slagging him

off. You don't play rugby by any chance?

Adam Sidwell (Christchurch) You're putting words into my mouth — read the review again. Nick Smith bored me because his views were cliched oversimplifications. Because he made such crass generalisations —

about all males — his “social comment” was abstract and useless. His songs were pretty dull, too. | haven't played rugby since the fifth form — maybe we should get together for a game sometime. CT

New Video Releases Many new music vids from Polygram this month, including Status Quo Live in Concert and Roxy Music: the High Road, both live from 1982. More reviewed on page four. Out soon on CBS Fox is Mick Jagger’s long-form comedy adventure video Running Out of Luck. Nine songs, plus Jerry Hall, Dennis Hopper and Rae Dawn Chong. From CIC comes Coal Miner’s Daughter (Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn) and Blue City (with Ry Cooder music).