CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDE
BOOTSY’S RUBBER BAND: “This Boot Is Made For Fonk-N” (Warner Bros.):: Bootsy sounds like a kiddie-show host at the end of his tether—trotting out sound effects, Steve Martin imitations, desperate appeals to deejays, anything he can think of Except a good riff.
CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDE
by
Robert Christgau
BOOTSY’S RUBBER BAND: “This Boot Is Made For Fonk-N” (Warner Bros.):: Bootsy sounds like a kiddie-show host at the end of his tether—trotting out sound effects, Steve Martin imitations, desperate appeals to deejays, anything he can think of Except a good riff. C +
RAY CHARLES: “Ain’t It So” (Atlantic):: Pro forma Charles here—jazzed up Berlin and Mercer-Alien, schlocked-up “Just Because,” uninspired Manilow and McDill, original Jimmy Lewis, “Drift Away” (eat your heart out, Dobie), and “Some Enchanted Evening” (eat your heart out, Ezio). In other words, a pretty damn good record. B +
THE EAGLES: “The Long Ran” (Asylum):: This isn’t as country-rock as you might expect— these are pros who adapt to the times, and they make the music tough. I actually enjoy maybe half of these songs until I come into contact with the smug, sentimental woman-haters who are doing the singing. I mean, these guys think punks are cynical and anti-life? Guys who put down “the king of Hollywood” because his dick isn’t as big as John David Souther1 s? C +