THE PASSAGE
PINDROP/DEGENERATES
JE
LES DISQUES DU CREPESCULE
★★
Formed by Hallé Orchestra percussionist Dick Witts, an early lineup of The Passage included Fall bassist Tony Friel, which might explain Witts’ Mark E Smith pastiche vocals. On debut Pindrop, whenever a promising slice of post-punk rumbles into place, Witts’ careless vocal delivery squashes it. It’s the same for the band’s most successful LP Degenerates two years later. Expanded to a trio, the synthdriven tunes approach The B-52s in places, only for Witts’ vocals to smother those, too. This 2CD package is of its time.