Monocled Alchemist

“Pillar To Post” / “Queen’s Tatoos” (Rough Trade RT 112) September 1982

Aztec Camera | Pillar To Post | (Rough Trade) 1982 | Along with Adam, the ensuing, solitary three singles that otherwise really sparkled this week all share the superpop ‘cover’ (the fold out method?), of an absurdly happy-dancey-jittery-lively surface, with the guarantee of something solid below.

In socially bad times, the perverse (nervous?) sheer livliness of the best of the superpop shows up noticeably. Now take Aztec Camera: another lost readership situation, as they are aware.

From crying into their soup, Roddy and Co have become a modern White Plains. ‘Pillar To Post’s production is a dazzling success, and completes, in a single move (sic), the Aztec turnaround, a la Scritti Politti.

Goodness gracious, but my ageing pop (pre)conceptions tell me, slyly, realistically, that this is a Hit, and a big one at that. If it was performed by a vile Talk Talk it certainly would be.

Aztec Camera | Pillar To Post | (Rough Trade) 1982

Let’s hope that Rough Trade, standing out so strongly this year, have got themselves cunningly together enough to provide it with the gentlest of pushes that it requires.

Once again, no talk of Sell Out at the back there. In these desperate times, Scrambling to The Top, forgetting to send postcards or letters, seems the only way (read recent Scritti thoughts . . . ).

That I can’t say that with certainty at all, leaves me with only, my colleague in many ways, Clive James to quote:

“History is usually in favour of those who don’t know where it is going . . . ” I could quote Suetonius at you equally as well. Or me. (Sounds, 11/09/82)

Great hook, great lyrics and great production do not make a hit single when the voice is weaker than a Tony Blacjburn joke. When nice Scots boys can sing, they’ll have hits. (Record Mirror, 18/09/82)