LP Reviewed in Sounds, 13th November, 1982
CHINA CRISIS ‘Difficult Shapes And Passive Rhythms’ (Virgin V2243) **** 1/2
ANYTHING THAT spreads itself around too much becomes devalued in time and, sadly, synths have joined that ever increasing bracket of disposable commodities on my Stock Exchange.
God be with the days when the synth was used as an extension of music, an additional contribution to atmosphere and flavour, an emotional instrument.
Now that every two-bit outfit has one as a matter of course, competition to produce innovative possibilities becomes the major issue and emotion takes a back seat. But not for everyone.
China Crisis are one of the few outfits that use the instrument without creating resoundingly hollow space-age precision; but that’s not to say they’re not professionals.
Retaining the moody, mellow ambience of more fluid music, this album gently insinuates its way into your consciousness, low-key softness and luxurious atmospherics combining to relax and delight even the most ‘digitally’-oriented ear.
China Crisis | Difficult Shapes And Passive Rhythms | (Virgin) 1982
Most bands exhibit some self-conscious indecision on their first LP but China Crisis give us a blast of purely confident indulgence . . . and it works!
Lyrically mature and uncluttered, the songs are full of subtle imagery and demanding power — though to label the sides of the disc ‘right wing’ and ‘left wing’ leaves me a bit stumped.
Certainly their songs are political but only four tracks are overtly so and even then they’re not coloured red or blue; instead, they define and defend the dignity of the individual within these regimes.
‘Are We A Worker’ and ‘African And White’ are two of the most powerfully emotional songs I’ve heard in a long while, and could be the — signature tunes for any human rights organisation. (If I’m making them sound twee or part of the bandwagon, I definitely don’t mean to — I think China Crisis are one of the most individualistic contributors to that stagnating field of work for some time.)
“They’re Japan rip-offs,” bellows Valac over my shoulder. Sorry son but I don’t agree. Japan have always had a hollowness of soul, an innate frustration that I don’t see here.
China Crisis, I don’t doubt, will stick to their guns, maintain a balanced independence, and prove me right! (Helen Fitzgerald)
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