AU PAIRS – PLAYING WITH A DIFFERENT SEX LP – Nr MINT A1/B1 UK 1981 PUNK INDIE

Au Pairs – Playing With A Different Sex
(Human Records  1981  HUMAN1)
Matrix No’s: A1/B1 – UK Pressing

Vinyl in Nr MINT condition
(there are some light surface marks visible on the vinyl when held up to the light but they don’t affect the sound quality apart from the odd light pop/crackle)

Sleeve in Nr MINT/Excellent+ condition
– some wear to edges/corners
Insert in Nr MINT condition

The Au Pairs were a British post-punk band that formed in Birmingham in 1978 and continued until 1983. They produced two studio albums and three singles. Their songs were said to have “contempt for the cliches of contemporary sexual politics” and their music has been compared to the Gang of Four and the Young Marble Giants. The band was led by Lesley Woods, who was once described as “one of the most striking women in British rock”.

Playing with a Different Sex is the debut studio album by English post-punk band Au Pairs. It was released in 1981, through record label Human.

In its retrospective review, AllMusic described the album as “one of the great, and perhaps forgotten, post-punk records.” The album peaked at No. 33 in Britain and launched the single “It’s Obvious”, which reached No. 37 on the Club Play Singles charts in America in 1981.

Track listing

Except where otherwise noted, all songs by Paul Foad, Peter Hammond, Jane Munro and Lesley Woods.

Side A

1. “We’re So Cool” – 3:29
2. “Love Song” – 2:51
3. “Set-Up” – 3:21
4. “Repetition” (Bowie) – 3:34
5. “Headache for Michelle” – 6:39

Side B

1. “Come Again” – 3:54
2. “Armagh” – 3:37
3. “Unfinished Business” – 3:29
4. “Dear John” – 2:57
5. “It’s Obvious” – 6:19

Personnel

Au Pairs

• Jane Munro – bass guitar, production
• Lesley Woods – guitar, vocals, production
• Paul Foad – guitar, vocals, production
• Peter Hammond – drums, production

Technical

• Eve Arnold – cover photography
• Ken Thomas – production, engineering
• Martin Culverwell – production