Bring It Down

ONE 7" single was all it took. 'Beautiful John' had me champing at the bid at its shimmeringly perfect pop-tunefulness. Their imminent album was odds on favourite to be a winner.

And here it is, thirteen tracks fit to send anyone into paroxysms of ecstasy. The not so secret weapon of this New York quartet is the golden larynx of Mary Lorson. Every syllable that slides from her mouth is coated with a delicious and addictive sugar coating. And let's not forget Billy Cote, the band's chief composer and guitarist (as well as occasional bassist). After all, without his soaring guitar work and breadth of melodic vision Mary would have little incentive to open her mouth. And that would be a crying shame.

Within a couple of spins you know that Bring It Down is an album that you're going to play until the grooves wear flat. Sure it's soothing, calming and imaginative, but there is also a surprising breadth and variety to the selection that defies the often narrow definition applied to mainstream pop.

So while you get the breathtaking simplicity of 'While Away' you also get a rocky '20 Foot Bed' with Pauline Murray-esque vocals. And for the easy flowing 'Razor Pilot', there is an instant contrast in the punky, riff/racy 'Lay Down Law' stealing directly from Department S's 'Is Vic There' (and containing those fine lines: "If you can't undress 'cos you're too repressed you've gotta stay down low . . ."). Again, while you have a surprisingly effective instrumental waltz in 'Pocket Fulla Medicine', it is balanced by the razor-guitared, cymbal-crazy upbeat-alism of '(Living A) Daydream'.

All in all, Bring It Down is very hard to fault. And Madder Rose? Well, they are the perfect remedy for the last couple of years of musical vacuity. Take them to your heart now!

* Dan Oggly