Health and Efficiency -- Single

Album Review

An absolute must-have EP for David Gedge fans, "Health and Efficiency" recalls some of Gedge's finest early singles with the Wedding Present, when they were releasing singles every month, and more often than not, each one was fantastic. Surprisingly, this EP sounds more like the Wedding Present than Cinerama. The guitars soar in the manner of their classic record Sea Monsters on the song "Health and Efficiency," presented here in three different versions. Along with the regular version, there's a radio edit and one with Gedge singing the song in French. All are excellent. A very sad, sentimental tune of the sort which Gedge is a master, "Health and Efficiency" features keyboards and guitars coaxing the listener to tears. Then there's "Swim," which also sounds like Sea Monsters-era Wedding Present, but is more upbeat. More in the vein of Cinerama's first couple of records is the cover of John Barry's "Diamonds Are Forever" from the James Bond film. Steve Albini should also be credited for some fine production work on this top-notch EP.