Everybody's gotta learn sometime..

Vinyl Review: The Korgis - 'Dumb Waiters'

Sometimes you find great records in the most unexpected places.

I came a cross a copy of the Korgis 'Dumb Waiters' while scouring the vinyl racks at New England Records in Armidale. The store has a good range of records along with a friendly proprietor so it is well worth a visit. And, as country towns go, Armidale has definitely got a good vibe.

I bought the album on the strength of the one song that I new.. 'Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime' which is an ethereal 80's classic and truly a magical song (first released in 1980). I figured, with a song as good as that on the record there would have to be at least a few other tracks worth listening to.. I figured correctly the record is great and these guys are definitely not one hit wonders. It is a fantastic example of irreverent new wave and synth-pop that still sounds fresh today.

Curiously, the only song from the four singles released from 'Dumb Waiters' that performed well in the charts was 'Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime'.. but chart performance does not tell the whole story.

Other highlight tracks on the record include the opening track 'Silent Running', the infectious 'Perfect Hostess' and the Squeeze-like 'Drawn and Quartered'. The final track on the record is the upbeat instrumental 'Rovers Return' carried by carnival organs and barking dogs.. a lot of fun.

The Korgis, an English band who formed in the seventies have had various lineups over the years and have released six albums, a bunch of compilations and two dozen singles. The 'Dumb Waiters' album lineup included Phil Harrison (keyboards and percussion), Stuart Gordon (guitar and violin) and James Warren (lead vocals and bass guitar).

The songs from the album that I've called out should not indicate that the other tracks are not worthy.. they definitely are. Each track is individual, interesting and has something to offer. 

If you come across the record, and you like the 80's, 'Dumb Waiters' would sit very nicely in your collection.