Dustin: "Unplucked"
Lime Records 7243 854703 25 (42 mins)
Dial-a-track code: 1531
Ho, ho, ho, who'd want to be a turkey at Christmas? In fact, who'd want to even listen to a turkey at Christmas? Well, before you sit down to your Christmas dinner this year, put Dustin's new CD on the family gramophone and you'll think twice about tucking into that roast turkey. Unplucked is the feathered Wunderkind's latest Meisterwerk, an ambitious, wide ranging project which perfectly captures the Gestalt and Zeitgeist of our times (Gesundheit to you too). Having avoided a critical stuffing and a roasting at 375 degrees thus far, Dustin has had the opportunity to mature - but thankfully, he hasn't bothered to take the opportunity, preferring to remain his usual witty, wisecracking, frankly irritating self.
In the opening song, Rat Trap, for instance, Dustin gets right up Bob Geldof's nose, no mean feat, since there's so much foliage to get through. Meanwhile, in Thumbing Home Now, Dust in sticks up for Boyzone's singing, showing them how to mangle a tune like a real pro. As Dave might say, he's got more talent in his big beak than the rest of them put together. Another classic tune, Crazy, is somewhat spoilt by the soppy delivery of Sandy Kelly, who is obviously trying to lure our innocent Turkey into the pleasures of the flesh. It won't work, Sandy, so put away that knife and fork.
Sylvia's Mother finds Dustin all alone and on the phone, but Lockhard sees him causing mayhem on the streets with just a cap, a rolled up newspaper, and an empty promise to mind someone's car. Christmas Tree is Dustin's seasonal attempt to make a few bob to the tune of Fool's Garden's Lemon Tree, but judging from his success at selling Christmas trees, eejit's garden might be more appropriate. The album climaxes with the sultry, sensual tale of exotic travel that is Never Been To Meath ("Did a bit of neckin' in Termonfeckin"). Unplucked is a certified masterpiece, a worthy successor to The Joshua Trio, Astral Weeks and that album by Aidan Walsh.
The Artist: "Emancipation"
NPG Recrds 7243 8 54982 2 (180 mins)
Dial-a-track code: 1641
Having shortened his name to a squiggle, the Artist Formerly Known As You Know Who has finally settled his long winded dispute with his former record company, and now he's free to release records at will, and share his prodigious talents once again with a slave ring, anticipating world. Ho hum. With Emancipation of Art celebrates his new found freedom by releasing more new material than anyone could be bothered to shake a stick at. A parental sticker at the bottom of the CD warns of "explicit lyrics", but a more alarming warning lurks in the top right hand corner: "Contains three CDs". To be fair, although Emancipation is no Sign O' The Times, musically, it's still up to scratch; however, if you don't relish being mauled by three hours of lovesexy soul and horny jammin', you might just find the whole thing about as tedious as a tantric sex session with Sting.
The Heads: "No Talking Just Head"
MCA MCD 11504 (55 mins)
Dial-A-Track Code: 1751
This is Talking Heads in all but David Byrne's name, and when Byrne blocked Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison from using the original band monicker, they just cut the talking and got in some serious heads to do the lead vocals. Aussie rock god Michael Hutchence guests on The King Is Gone, Blondie diva Debbie Harry does the title track, and Reverend Shaun Ryder shouts it up on Don't Take My Kindness For Weakness. Other guests include Richard Hell, Johnette Napolitano, Maria McKee, Gordon Gano, Andy Partridge and Gavin Friday, but the inventive, rhythmic backing of Frantz, Weymouth and Harrison makes this three quarter strength offering well worth checking out.
The Presidents Of The United States Of America: "II"
Columbia 485092 2 (42 mins)
Dial-A-Track Code: 1861
If this band really were US Presidents, then they'd probably be goofy of Gerry Ford, as played to prat falling perfection by Chevy Chase. The podunk punk trio who brought us the tinned glory of Peaches returns with such tightly packed tunes as Lunatic To Love, Volcano, Bug City and Toob Amphfier. Oops! Watch that wire! Klunk! Dub!!!
