Most of what makes
Cindytalk's debut so wickedly engaging is the voice of
Cindy Sharp. Howling, cathartic vocals were nothing new by 1984, but
Sharp's exorcistic bellows are unique -- practically weaponized, more damaged than anyone else's. The pulverizing
"It's Luxury" is lead by incisive guitar riffs that rival
Big Black's chain-link fence battering.
Bad Seed and
Birthday Party member
Mick Harvey appears to have stopped by the studio for all of two minutes to lend thudding drums to
"Under Glass," which is rife with sax bleats, lumbering bass, and other
BP-isms. When not dabbling in isolationist electronics (
"The Ghost Never Smiles," "Everybody Is Christ"), a good amount of
Camoflauge Heart is dipped in
Birthday Party's harum scarum. But while
BP dove headlong into the bacchanal,
Sharp shakes demons with equal lack of abandon into despair. Other than a few formless moments, this is inspired, oddly cleansing work. ~ Andy Kellman
