Shriekback: Oil And Gold (Island Records/1985)

Shriekback's third album finds ex-XTC keyboardist Barry Andrews, ex-Gang Of Four bassist Dave Allen and ex-Out On Blue Six guitarist Carl Marsh's collectively greatest vinyl moment. Oil And Gold is the perfect transition from quirky outsider minimalist funk band to alternative commercial band. The album is perhaps their most diverse offering. It contains their most well-known hit in “Nemesis”, which is something of a mid 80's classic. “Fish Below The Ice” is also a fairly-successful single.

“Faded Flowers”, “Only Thing That Shines”, The Big Hush” and “Coelcanth” form something of a quiet calm suite. “Malaria” (which came this close to being issued as a single) and “Everything That Rises Must Converge” are both winning songs.

This was the last album to feature Marsh as lead vocalist, before the role was taken by creative leader Andrews. His whispering vocals are effective within the context of the bands inner logic.

This is a very good album and something of a forgotten mini-classic.

Here's the video review:

Gang Of Four: Songs Of The Free (Warner Brothers/1982)

Leeds' Gang Of Four released 1982's Songs Of The Free, their third album, on the heels of the excellent Another Day/Another Dollar EP. It is their first release with Sara Lee on bass, who took over after Dave Allen left the band to for Shriekback with Barry Andrews of XTC. She's a excellent replacement and is adept to playing nearly as deeply-funky as Allen did.

The album is successful in marrying the band's slashing post-punk to the funky new wave that was all-prevalent at the time. It was produced by Mike Howlett of Gong (who also produced OMD, Tears For Fears and A Flock Of Seagulls). Songs Of The Free is really only weak when one holds it up against Entertainment!, Yellow and Solid Gold. All of which are on the perfect side. Songs Of The Free is jam packed with moody, nocturnal grooves and somnambulist funk. Songs like “History Of The World”, “Life! It's A Shame” and “I Will Be A Good Boy” are my idea of perfect background music that I'd love to hear in a bar or pub. “Muscle For Brains” has a great funky guitar line. “Call Me Up”, “We Live As We Dream, Alone” and “I Love A Man In A Uniform” are easily the most effective songs on the album.

“I Love A Man In A Uniform” was a new-wave dance hit peaking at #27 on Billboard's Club Play Singles chart and became a staple of Alternative radio. The album itself is usually held up as Gang Of Fours last initial creative hurrah. Although it produced a handful of decent tracks, 1983's Hard was indeed a fairly soft affair. I've always considered Songs Of The Free part of a logical conclusion to the trilogy of Entertainment! and Solid Gold.

Recommended. Indeed.