I like this album. I like it a lot. But it's exactly what I'm talking about. There's nothing here that's new, just a lot that's new
wave.
“One Step” is a nice single, a medium-slow melodic piece, but the lyrics are as typical as Nick
Whitecross' vocals: “Hold on a minute, here comes the real world/And I need it, I've been sitting outside for so long looking
in...” Give me a break, man — what's your problem with the “real world?” Buying too many of your records? Please.
I can take this seriously coming from Bowie or Joy Division, but I find it hard to believe that half the young singers in England are
in psychotic withdrawal.
The title track is quite danceable although weighted down with a pretentious opening; “One Day” is a surprisingly melodic song that's
easier to like if you ignore the lyrics. An interesting question is why at least half the songs on the album deal with women who are
supposedly "afraid of men."
As I said, I like this album. It's got quite a bit of soulful backing vocals and most of it is danceable. The singles are not the only
good songs on the record, which is not all that common in new wave, or pop music in general.
This is good new wave; I like new wave; I like this album. But having said that, there's nothing else to say in favor of the band.
Perhaps the saddest comment one can make on the eighties music scene (and the eighties in general) is that this can be considered
"rebellious" music.
(Ken Ficara)