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What Goes On Single Review

Author unknown

Melody Maker, 22nd April 1978

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A high-rankinge executive of his former record company has said that the coincidence of his self-imposed exile and the new wave made Bryan Ferry instantly obsolete. No longer fashionable and no longer musically contemporary, he was a classic casualty of changes in pop trends. Although this is the cruelest possible statement of Bryan's dilemma, it does spotlight his problem. He no longer seems to have a sense of musical purpose, and without the coherent vision he once offered, recording other people's songs becomes merely a hit-or-miss affair.

This new single is more listenable but more ponderous than the hits he had in 1976. Without musical light to contrast the darkness, his sinister plodding becomes heavy.

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Text copyright 1978 Melody Maker, used without permission.
With thanks to Grant Goggans.