Stepping In And Out Of Line

Au Pairs - Sense And Sensuality

The (dare I say) more accessible and commercial follow-up up to Playing With A Different Sex was less well received than the debut, but in my opinion when examined apart, it works very well and should not be overlooked as a credible record. Clearly more polished with jazz licks, funky disco guitar riffs and considerably more horn than the post-punk Playing..., Sense And Sensuality holds its own, and Lesley Woods' lyrics still pull no punches in her cynical study of relationships and politics.

Originally released on a vinyl album on Kamera Records (KAM 10) in 1982, represented here in top quality lossless flac audio.
A1. Don't Lie Back
A2.  (That's When) It's Worth It
A3. Instant Touch
A4. Sex Without Stress
A5. Fiasco
B1. Intact
B2. Tongue In Cheek
B3. Stepping Out Of Line
B4. Shakedown
B5. America

Kissing The Pink

Au Pairs - Playing With A Different Sex

Not normally known for as breeding crowd for credible post-punk, Birmingham gave us the Au Pairs. This lot were probably closer to Edinburgh's Josef K than The Pop Group, and nearer to Leed's Gang Of Four than A Certain Ratio, but in their own unique way, the Au Pairs were pretty funky.

This is post-gender post-punk funk with attitude as the Au Pairs challenged industry stereotypes, sexual inequalities and relationships. This wasn't just jerky pink guitar pop for the Jackie problem page generation, this wasn't girl power in its formulation stage, but young blokes like me (at the time) were convinced front woman Lesley Woods disliked men. We were wrong, she just wanted to make her point about male perception of control in relationships, the boardroom and politics. Is your finger aching?, I can feel you hesitating...

Originally ripped from a vinyl album released on Human Records (HUMAN 1) in 1981 to high quality lossless flac audio.

A1. We're So Cool
A2. Love Song
A3. Set-Up
A4. Repetition
A5. Headache (For Michelle)
B1. Come Again
B2. Armagh
B3. Unfinished Business
B4. Dear John
B5. It's Obvious