Nominated by: Greg Knowles
Music club: Wander to Wozza's
Playlist addition: New Wave Goodbye
I do have a soft spot for The Crocodiles and especially Tokoroa born Jenny Morris. I even own a solo JM album! There. It's out!
There's the Mike Chunn connection, the Bruno Lawrence connection, the great vocal abilities of Jenny Morris, the clever clogs quirky songs musically/lyrically and then there is the single version of Tears. A ripper of a hit song in 1980.
The band were F.U.N. from start to flame out finish. But they were also pretty inconsistent and, I suspect, while fun, there wasn't enough substance to make it a going concern. Cue Jenny Morris heading to solo fame and glory.
But Tears (the album) does hold up, mostly. 'Mostly', because it's a game of two halves.
Side one contains some sublime moments. New Wave Goodbye, the lead off song, immediately sets a high standard which is mostly sustained throughout side one. Tears (the song) is the other stand out with Jenny Morris in great form.
I do prefer her vocals over the males (Tony Blackhouse and Fane Flaws) - so side two contains some so-so material for me. The quality dips through Ribbons Of Steel and It's The Latest (although I do love the surf guitar hijinks and Beatle references).
Whatcha Gonna Do and It's The Latest are okay but not really up there with New Wave Goodbye and Tears.
It's very much of its time: right on the cusp of the eighties while still having a foot in the late seventies.
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