Saved me

Jenny Morris - Shiver (1989) ***

Nominated by: KS

Music club: Wander to Wozza's

Playlist addition: She Has To be Loved

I can appreciate a lot of things about Jenny Morris. There's her voice for starters - she has such a rich tone and texture to her vocal style. She's definitely got a unique sound, with one minor, innsy winnsy, caveat and this is a me problem. I really don't like that vocal tick some females have where they sing in a raspy guttural way from the throat. It's that sound that June Carter has when singing Jackson with Johnny and Jenny has two moments on the album where she sings in that way. I. Don't. Like. It.

[Sorry - had to get that off my chest. I feel better now].

Her songwriting is another strength. Although the producer Andrew Farriss (on loan from INXS) has a hand in three of the songs, mainly it's Jenny's songs that dominate. A third strength is having a big hit and She Has To Be Loved was a great single. It's easily the best song on the album but Aotearoa and Saved Me aren't too far behind.

Having said that, although I appreciate and admire her abilities, I was never a big fan. For me, the eighties production tropes got in the way then and they do now - so that's a factor that I still find hard to get past. Another me problem.

On the plus side, it's a very NZ-centric album with Land Of The Long White Cloud AND Aotearoa appearing on the track listing. It's also widely held up as her best album, so - respect!

Great choice from KS, and the album does get better with age, Its sounded awesome in the car stereo on the commute this week.

You're back again but I'm so sorry, it's too late

The Crocodiles - Tears (1980) *** 

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.