The Lines - Memory Span

UK post-punk outfit finally get their moment

The Lines are a classic example of a UK group who got lost in the post-punk deluge. Formed in 1978 by mainstay Rico Conning, they released their West Coast-influenced first single, White Night (reissued the following year by Miles Copeland’s Illegal label). The Lines eschewed trends, didn’t court press and were getting darker by follow-up On The Air, maybe recalling The Only Ones with blazing guitar lines and disparaging vocals, but bringing the noise on 1980’s Cool Snap EP.

By now a longstanding fixation with dub and Can was steering Conning into more experimental areas. 1981’s Nerve Pylon and Over the Brow single forged even further into avant pastures, the latter particularly atmospheric with brass-guitar interplay. Transit planted the original melodic vocal into further dubby stratas, also explored on the Therapy album, while funk crept into the House Of Cracks 12”. Still facing indifference from press and public, The Lines vanished after 1983’s final Ultramarine album, leaving their records gaining collectable status over the years.

This first collection collates the five singles and EP, displaying an uncompromisingly individual approach which eschewed the trend-hungry musical climate of the time. Devotees of the era and fans of fresh, fearless music should investigate.

Active | ACU 010

Reviewed by Kris Needs
<< Back to Issue 351