Vicious But Fair

Robert Christgau’s American consumer-guide notice was markedly cooler than the British response to Streetwalkers’ previous records. He gave Vicious But Fair a C+ and remained unconvinced by both the writing and Roger Chapman’s most mannered vocal turns — a useful counterpoint to the band’s strong contemporary live reputation.

Contemporary reception — research summary. In the Rock på fem olika sätt record column, Mia Gerdin strongly criticizes Vicious but Fair’s packaging and the sexualized violence in its advertising.

Her musical assessment is mixed-to-negative. She praises Chapman’s voice and the band’s handling of its reorganization, yet finds the material unimaginative and below the musicians’ potential despite tight, powerful arrangements. This contrasts with her favorable responses to Downtown Flyers and Red Card. The publication date records the review, not the album’s exact release date.

Source: Dagens Nyheter, 25 February 1977, p.22. This is an original English summary, not a full translation.