CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDE
ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION: "A Rock and Roll Alternative" (Polydor)::If these guys actually sounded as if their studio was located (as it is) in a Georgia industrial parkfluorescent light through the pines and so forth—the general improvement in clarity and inventiveness might be interesting: imagine, a Southern band with urban allegiances.
CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDE
ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION: "A Rock and Roll Alternative" (Polydor)::If these guys actually sounded as if their studio was located (as it is) in a Georgia industrial parkfluorescent light through the pines and so forth—the general improvement in clarity and inventiveness might be interesting: imagine, a Southern band with urban allegiances. But it's industrial only in the most predictable sense— more product. Even Charlie Daniels obviously has something to sing about; the vocalist here—why should I bother to look up his name?—might just as well be cuttin' another dog-food spot.
C+
"Blondie" (Private Stock)::Ahh, New York. I remember Debbie Blondie when she was singing with nurseryrhyme breathiness for a group called the Wind in the Willows. Now she sounds flatly cyniqal against a very funny aural montage of girl-group and original-punk usages from the prepsychedelic era—less blithe, certainly, but more, you know, together. Which is what new-punk posturing is all about. Special award: best use of organ since "Light My Fire." B +