ZANG TUMMM TUMB ARTICLES “the first draft of history”

Other pop CD releases

Holly Johnson, Soulstream, (Pleasuredome)

3/5

Having spent most of this decade waging his own war against Aids, its not surprising that Holly Johnsons first album in years has a decidedly spiritual bent. The hedonism of the Frankie years now just a glitzy memory, his new philosophy runs something like: “Radiate light, love power, set free your soul.” Thats from Hallelujah!, whose rather pat optimism resurfaces on The Best Invention (the best invention being love, of course) and All U Need Is Love. The message would resound more profoundly if it were accompanied by some decent tunes, rather than colourless beats-by-the-yard that do nothing for Johnsons reedy voice. By default, the best tracks are the campest: the nostalgic Disco Heaven and Legendary Children, which lists gay historical figures (is he quite sure about Shakespeare?).