Pink Grease - This Is For Real

by Anthony Strutt

published: 12 / 5 / 2004

Label: Mute Records
Format: CD

Enjoyable, but unspectacular late 70's/early 80's new wave on debut album from new Sheffield group, Pink Grease

Review

On the whole, 'This is for Real', Pink Grease's debut album, is alright. It has an edge of late 70's to early 80's new wave, but there is nothing here that you won't have heard before. It opens with 'Remember Forever' which has Indian war-like drums and Iggy Pop style howling vocals. It is backed by very punky guitar lines that sound like those of the Hives or the Stooges from their 'Search and Destroy' era. 'Fever', which comes up next. sounds like a single, and has a very catchy vocals and guitars that are commercial-sounding in a fun B-52' s way. 'The Pink G.R.E.A.S.E' meanwhile sounds like the Buggles and has saxophone dripping all over it. 'Emotional Retard' has even more sax, and, with its fast tune, comes across as a cross between the Cramps and Roxy Music. 'Wind Up Bird' sounds like a slowed down Sex Pistols, while 'Peaches' recalls the Ramones, but throws a cheesy synthesiser solo into its middle. The drums in its introduction meanwhile sound like they have been borrowed from the Mary Chain' s 'April Skies'. 'The fun-filled pop of The Nasty Show' is again reminiscent of Roxy Music, but also has a "Roadrunner' style guitar riff in it. 'Superfool' sounds like a very weak Iggy Pop track, while 'Party Live' has more swearing than any of tracks on the rest of the record put together. It sounds like Pink Grease are trying very badly to sound like black hip hop guys and it doesn't work at all. 'Serial Heartbreaker' sounds like a cover of the Stooges done by a disco version of Primal Scream, while 'High Strung Chironi' has an overload of sax and is fast paced new wave. 'This is for Real' ends with 'Into My Heart' which is a sensible new wave guitar track and has a vocal that recalls David Sylvian during his Japan era and Bryan Ferry. It is nice while it spins. There is nothing new here though, and all this stuff has been done much better.

Track Listing:-

1 Remember Forever
2 Fever
3 Pink G.R.Ease
4 Emotional Retard
5 Wind Up Bird
6 Peaches
7 The Nasty Show
8 Superfool
9 Party Live
10 Serial Heartbreaker
11 High Strung Chironi
12 Into My Heart