Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Thursday 12 March 1992, page 15


waves

By BEVAN HANNAN

The Celibate Rifles. Heaven

Stick. (Festival).

THERE couldn't be a more in

spiring Australian combination than Rob Younger being producer for The Celibate Rifles.

Younger, who fronted monumental 1970s underground act Radio Birdman. and The Celibate Rifles, the band most responsible for keeping the independent waves rolling in this county during the '80s, are in their own right cult legends. And it is fitting they are riding the influential board

into the '90s.

The Celibate Rifles' last LP, Blind Ear, was one out of the box and as the months tallied into years since that release in 1989, so did the pressure to at least match the effort with Heaven on a Slick.

But guitar snarl for guitar snarl, Heaven on a Slick rates right up there with the best of The Celibate Rifles previous surf rock albums.

Once again their guitar-stoked style harnesses a relentless energy explosion which avoids the trap of being carried adrift by the overdone rip.

The opening tracks Light of Life

and Cold Wind set the tone and thrust you through a memorable 13-track tube ride.

Happy House and G.D. Absolutely continue the surge before the LP takes a surprising melodic turn to Dream of Night, a keyboard layered cut that wouldn't be out of place on a Midnight Oil set.

Frontman Damien Lovelock's 40 gallon barrel vocals injects The Celibate Rifles undeniable character though, and then shimmers into new crowd favourite Groovin' in the Land of Love.

The converted can vouch The Celebite Rifles have been belling out this type of stuff for years.

While they have had to trudge through a certain amount of ignorance, it seems out of place that 10 years on they have become the punter's pick.

Heaven on a Stick marks the first album for new drummer Nik Rieth while the talented line-up is bolstered by guest appearances by noted vocalist Lin Buckfield and keyboard whiz

Chris Abrahams.

Lovelock's likable humour has lost none of its starch cither, particularly

on the super song S 'n' M TV.

"Still I turn on my TV again/And I cross the threshold of my pain/Thanks for what you've given me/An attention span of minus

three."

A bonus for fans is the inclusion a four track EP - comprising Back in the Red. Sometimes. Bill Bonney Regrets and Jesus on TV - with every Heaven on a Stick CD and cassette. What further prompting do you need? MC 900 FT Jesus. Welcome to My

Dream. (Festival).

AHONK.Y pumping out rap? It

seems the sound which was born in the city slums has switched camp to the ranch air of Texas.

MC 900 Ft Jesus, the name Mark Griffin has pinched from a TV evangelist, made inroads at all points of the globe with his single Truth is Outta Style and this follow-up album is in

the same mould.

Unlike traditional rap, Griffin delivers his lyrics with a calmly spoken voice, although he retains the same sneering manner which is the trademark of this genre.

But his musical arrangements are most interesting, drawing on jazz and

blues influences to complement the familiar rap elements.

Three of the tracks arc in essence instrumentals with O-Zone at best described as pedestrian.

There are others though that bring out the best of the brass and wind instruments, most notably the clari

net.

This gives the music a '90s Peter Gunn Theme feel and similarly Griffin himself sounds like his vocals have been recorded off a police switchboard two-way radio.

Killer Inside Me is the first single from the LP although thebest number is Dancing Barefoot, which is uplifted by subtle scratching and angelic female harmonics.

Griffin's lyrics, pleasingly, aren't repetitive and aru rather engaging, especially the gonga drum spiced Dali's Handgun.

Adventures in Failure is another interesting expression in what may be a pointer to where rap is headed.

Rita MacNeil. Home I'll Be. (Festi

val).

IF YOU'VE seen the promotional

advertisement for Home I'll Be on

television, there couldn't be a more adequate preview for this Canadian songstress' latest effort.

Rita MacNeil is out of the earthy

ballad mould which has made Foster and Allen so popular in this country and Home I'll Be has been launched as a build-up to her upcoming Australian tour.

She has toured here once before, at the end of 1990, and was well-received, prompting her to write the song Journey to Australia which has been included on the album.

This track incorporates WaltzingMatilda Matilda and is designed to appeal to the Australian audience although skeptics may call it a tacky attempt.

There is no doubting MacNeil has an extraordinary voice and in Canada she has been accredited with Best Vocalist, Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year awards.

This ability is reflected in Old Flames Nwer Die, and Watch Love Grow Strong.

In short, this would probably make a nice gift for

mum and dad.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1(

?n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1C

TV 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

SINGLES

LW TITLE ARTIST 1 Love You Right Euphoria

2 Saltwater Julian Lennon 4 Justified & Ancient The KLF

3 Talk About Sex Salt n Pepa

5 Don't Let the Sun Elton/Michael 6 Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana

11 Remember the Time Michael Jackson 8 The Globe BAD II 12 Tip 01 My Tongue Diesel

10 Finally Ce Ca Peniston

ALBUMS

LW TITLE ARTIST

1 Baby Animals Baby Animals 2 Greatest Hits Salt 'n' Pepa 4 Nevermind Nirvana

7 The Commitments Soundtrack

3 Soul Deep Jimmy Barnes 8 Diamonds and Pearls Prince

6 Dangerous Michael Jackson 5 Waking Up the Neigh

bours Bryan Adams 11 Shepherd Moons Enya 9 Achtung Baby U2

2XX INDEPENDENT

LW TITLE ARTIST 1 Penny Century Clouds

Slipped Away Have A Nice Day Five Lamps The Hard Ons

3 Line Up Psydone Smyle 5 Breakfast Mr Floppy

4 Tribal Voice Yothu Yindl

2 The Hard Ons The Hard Ons

Not Like That Club Hoy

Scrap Metal Scrap Metal Young Blood 3 Various

The Celibate Rifles: new abium rates "right up there" with their best.