Sounds
March 20, 1982
The Soft Boys: Two Halves For The Price Of One (Armageddon Records BYE 1)
by Paul Strange
Thought we'd heard the last of The Soft Boys with Underwater Moonlight, but in their wisdom Armageddon have decided ro release this strange two-halved beast -- a studio outtake side and a live side -- for the "fab price of £3.59".
Lope At The Hive takes us back to March, 1980 and the last lineup of The Soft Boys going through their paces in front of a fairly enthusiastic audience at London's Hope And Anchor.
Originally recorded in the er...hope that one of the numbers might be good enough to fit on Underwater Moonlight, the session is a testimony to the band's former strength and a great insight for anyone who never caught them live.
Lead guitarist Kimberley Rew is in fine manic form (tremendous power on "Black Snake Diamond Rock"); frontman Robyn Hitchcock displays his usual weirdness (check the lengthy narrative about fish and Radio 1 during "Underwater Moonlight"); while Matthew Seligman (bass) and Morris Windsor (drums) keep the rhythm section bubbly, tight, and punchy throughout the five numbers. Great stuff.
Over on t'other side are the five studio outtakes. "Innocent Boy" was left off Robyn's recent solo album (Black Snake Diamond Role) and should have remained unreleased. Very average Hitchcock, it plods along in a pleasant fashion, never getting anywhere.
Likewise "There's Nobody Like You", although it's saved by the terrific high vocal chorus and punchy guitar riffs. "The Bells Of Rhymney" is a tight, almost authentic cover of the old Byrds number and a welcome change from Hitchcock's Barrett fixation (note the inclusion of "Astronomy Domine" on the live side).
The killers are the opening cuts -- "Only The Stones Remain" and "Where Are The Prawns?". Chewy globules of freaky Pop, this is how The Soft Boys should be remembered.
An album for the devoted few. Count me in, particularly at £3.59.
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