Martha And The Muffins - Danesparc

Jul 28 2008 By Paul Cole

(Cherry)

RELEASED ahead of the 80s Echo Beach band’s reunion set, this 25th anniversary edition pretty much sums up the musical landscape into which it was first released – twangy slap bass, synth doodles, clipped guitar, tricksy drums and white soul vocals.

But for Martha Johnson’s voice it could be the backing track for a Duran Duran karaoke night.

Of significance now because the album was one of studio svengali Daniel Lanois’ early efforts, the bonus tracks put the original setlist in the shade, the hypnotic Dangerous Machines driven by tribal electropop drumbeats.