Modern English: Gathering Dust (1980/AD 15)

        Modern English are back and it seems they discovered Hawkwind. This single was released in November of '80. The sound here, while still post-punk, is heavier, features more spacey electronics, and has the best production yet of any 4AD release. The track itself, Gathering Dust, is fantastic. It begins with just hi-hat, and the guitars, and slowly more is added to mix, until the chorus, where the dynamics, let loose. It's a very dramatic track.
       The B-Side is called Tranquility of a Summer Movement. It begins with some bird sounds, some guitar sounds that sound like a dog moaning, and backward vocals. Around half-way the rest of band joins in and the pace slowly picks up until the end when everyone is double speed. While not a horrible track, it lacks an real memorability and aside from the dynamic shifts, doesn't have much direction. Notably this is the first release with artwork by Vaughan Oliver who would become famous for his record sleeves with 4AD.

Rating: 4/5