PHILIP JAP
Philip Jap (A&M)
Jap is the sort of chap who contorts his body into complex shapes and calls it art. Philip believes in taking his shirt off. He also specialises in the meaningful stare with which Pete Murphy sells Maxell tapes.
Jap’s songs offer nothing but effort. He specialises in those sudden switches of melody that some call art and I call ugly.
When he comes close to finding a tune, as on the album’s opener, ‘Save Us’, he merely sounds like Spandau at their most leaden. Elsewhere he sounds as contemporary as Mike Batt.
Lacking in grace, melody or wit, Jap offers awkward songs around which video makers will compose pretentious films.
☆☆