Black Wave

black wave

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Picture this record achieving & surpassing whatever absurd yet gorgeous sounding Three Imaginary Boys era-Cure by way of the Screamers (listen to more music, pedestrian) by way of Emperor by way of the Seeds by way of totally believable, timeless aggression. Band contains Alicja Trout (The Clears, The Fitts), Jay (Reatards, Monsieur Jeffrey Evans' Cc Riders, The Final Solutions), John Garland (Sweetbox Nubbins), and Rich (The Reatards, American Deathray). Empty Records.

Black Wave,The Lost Sounds,Empty Records,Indie Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Black Wave

Average customer rating:

Probably Their Best
The last (and best) early XTC album.
All Hail The Amazing Crash-Boom-Band
pure genius
"I would have made this instrumental but the words got in the way"

Black Sea
XTC
Manufacturer: Caroline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Drums and Wires
English Settlement
Skylarking
Mummer
The Big Express

ASIN: B00005ATHH
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Tracks:

Respectable Street
Generals And Majors
Living Through Another Cuba
Love At First Sight
Rocket From A Bottle
No Language In Our Lungs
Towers Of London
Paper And Iron (Notes And Coins)
Burning With Optimism's Flames
Sgt. Rock (Is Going To Help Me)
Travels In Nihilon
Smokeless Zone
Don't Lose Your Temper
The Somnambulist

Amazon.com essential recording

The 1980 release Black Sea represents the last stand of the punchy, angular new wave that had won XTC strong critical and college radio support. Still arranging with an ear toward the stage they'd soon retire from, they continued working in the "drums and wires" style that had christened their previous release. Black Sea brims with XTC trademarks: engaging guitar hooks, cleverly rendered lyrics, and frenetic, creative melodicism. The material represents the pinnacle of XTC's early incarnation--a counterpoint to contemporary punk imbued with style, rhythmic punch, and melodic charm. --Todd Gehman

Album Description

Remastered reissue of 1980 album features the classic 'Generals And Majors'. Virgin Records. 2001.

Album Details

One of XTC'S Most Commercial Albums, features Three Bonus Songs: "Smokeless Zone," "Don't Lose Your Temper," and "The Somnambulist."

Customer Reviews:

Probably Their Best.......2007-01-25

When Andy Patridge retired from touring, it "set the stage" for his exploration of the lush chamber pop that has defined the second half of XTC's career (though it's far more than half by now). Black Sea is not the last album on which they sound like a "real" band--that would be the exellent follow-up, English Settlement--but it is the best single expression of XTC as angular, subverisve pop rockers with a two guitar attack that is unique in rock history. Black Sea finds them dreaming up catchy Beatle-esque melodies only to deface and agitate them with odd time feels, strategic dissonance, and Patridge's unmistakable "barking seal" vocals. This is certainly one of the most balanced and gratifying of their albums, and the best showcase of their unusual and inimitable approach to standard two-guitar bass, drums instrumentation.

In fairness to the boys, they never could have done Skylarking WITH Terry Chambers on drums, but it is equally apparent that they would never again approach this kind of barely stable energy WITHOUT him (although--word to the wise--the criminally underappreciated The Big Express comes close).

Finally, the influence of this album is prevalent today, and is explicit in the work of Hot Hot Heat and Futureheads, among others: Not just the XTC influence but the BLACK SEA influence in particular. That's because--song quality aside--no other ensemble has ever played smart rock quite like XTC at their road-tested best.

The last (and best) early XTC album........2006-07-20

A continuation of the direction they were heading in on "Drum and Wires", "Black Sea" finds XTC charging full steam ahead, and again finding ways to tighten and improve. The songwriting is a step up-- the sort of forgettable material on the previous album is largely absent here, particularly in the compositions of Andy Partridge-- and the expanded arrangements made possible by the presence of guitarist Dave Gregory again are brought forth to bear. But with this album really has that makes it a whole lot better than the previous albums is a sense of confidence in the vocal deliveries.

At its best, the album is straightforward and aggressive, putting together tightly wound pieces that feel like they're ready to explode but never quite get there (opener "Respectable Street", "Paper and Iron"), with some superb details into pop (the simply fantastic "Burning With Optimism's Flame", which points distinctly to the future's swirling pop arrangements), jangly new wave (Moulding's "Generals and Majors", with one of the most forceful and venomous choruses in pop music) and something wholly inconceivable-- closer "Travels in Nihilon" is quite unprecedented in the band's catalog-- a slice of avant-rock, with odd textures, a bubbling, neo-tribal beat, and a hint at Middle Eastern strains, plus Partridge over the top as confident as he's ever sounded doubled by a whisper that's as haunting as no doubt it was intended to be.

Admittedly, it's not all fantastic, there's a couple pieces that are somewhat middle of the road-- "Rocket from a Bottle" is a nice enough piano-driven piece but it's somewhat forgettable and while "Towers of London" seems to be popular with a lot of folks, I've always found it a bit overlong. But the record shines a lot more than it disappoints.

This reissue has been remastered and sounds fresh and clean-- a consistent problem with other recordings from this era. It's also been augmented with a trio of bonus tracks-- "Smokeless Zone" and "Don't Lose Your Temper" are both somewhat extraneous, but "The Somnambulist" is something totally different-- a quiet, almost unintelligible vocal over a throbbing drum and synthesizers, it ends up being one of the more intriguing pieces in the early XTC catalog.

"Black Sea" brought XTC's days as a post-punk/new wave band to a close. It shows signs of growth beyond the band's early sound and points to the future, but it is really the culmination of the band's early works. Recommended.

All Hail The Amazing Crash-Boom-Band.......2005-10-22

Andy Partridge had an idea. Take all the advances made in dual-guitar chord shapes and interlocking rhythm/bass/lead playing over the last three albums, apply them to effortlessly melodic, Beatlesque songs and arrangements, and ADD SOME REALLY LOUD DRUMS. I don't just mean "loud," I mean *LOUD*. Blow-your-ears-back loud. Loud like a used-car salesman's tie loud.

Black Sea is the type of album The Beatles would have made had they been frustrated, nerdy intellectuals rather than suave handsome Liverpudlians: painstakingly crafted, catchy songs stuffed with over-literate lyrics and matched to an awe-inspiring crash-boom-bang rhythm section (courtesy of drummer Terry Chambers and producer Steve Lillywhite).

The spectacular VIOLENCE of much of this album is a phenomenon of sound, precisely because even at its most apoplectic (the white-hot "Travels In Nihilon," "No Language In Our Lungs") or even EPILEPTIC (no word better describes the immortal "Burning With Optimism's Flames," which stutters and spits and crams so many lyrics into each phrase that Partridge has to literally stop the band each time before starting into the next one) it's still extremely controlled. The sound concept never overtakes the melodies, or the songwriting, and none of the songs ever escape from their authors.

XTC, at their best (and this is probably their best), were like delightfully gregarious mad scientists: witty and talkative, more than a little insane in their willingness to fuse avant-garde musical concepts with old-fashioned songcraft, but always in complete command of the science and technology of their art. Black Sea therefore represents more than just a platter full of sharp, clever songs - it represents the achievement of an intellectual ideal. To the benefit of us all.

pure genius.......2005-09-11

I just want to throw my 2 cents in because I've read the reviews. I've seen some people on here say they like this song and not that song and so on and so forth. For me, this album is totally complete. I LOVE every song on it. This is one of my favorite albums ever made. The first couple of times, I didn't get it. I thought they sounded weird, and inaccessable. Then the veil rolled back, and my eyes were opened and I could see the light. These guys are crazy smart! That's the only way I can describe them/the album. I've listened to it over and over and it never gets old. So needless to say I highly recommend it. Yes, it can be weird. If you are a person who listens to popish-bubble gum disposable music like the Mariah Carey, then you won't get it. But fans of rock should definitely check it out.

"I would have made this instrumental but the words got in the way".......2005-09-02

XTC's fourth album is easily their finest as
XTC: Influental touring rock quartet. They hinted at the greatness that is this album with 1979's masterful Drums & Wires. Let's examine shall we? The LP opens with their best-ever opener, "Respectable Street"- a dig at suburban prentiousness. The song may in fact be their most rockest (is that even a word?) song ever. Followed by the chiming dual guitar attack of "Generals & Majors" which succeeds in making cold war paranoia ultra hummable (or whistle-able if you will). Possibly Colin Moulding's finest single, it also features the now very popular disco/new wave hi-hat action inluenced by Terry Chambers. "Living Through Another Cuba" is cold war paranoia to dance to. "Love At First Sight", another fine Moulding single, is perfect psychedelic new
wave with it's echoing refrain, quirky chorus, stuttering guitar
solo and the always inventive drumming of Chambers. "Rocket From A Bottle" and "Buring With Optomism's Flames" are both upbeat,
optomistic songs with some great, great playing. The former
sounds like The Kinks backing Paul McCartney - tuneful but rocking. "No Language In Our Lungs" may in fact be one of XTC's all-time greatest songs (a feat in itself). The "I would have made this instrumental" & the repeating "way" parts still give me goosebumps. Ouch! "Towers Of London" provided XTC with yet another English folk (folk as in folklore) classic. "Paper & Iron
(Notes & Coins)" points to where people like Damon Albarn & Blur learned a few tricks. It's subject of working-class struggle is common subject matter but this song is above and beyond others
like it as we listen in on a band truly WORKING. "Sgt. Rock", a hit single in England is fun catchy fluff complete with mock hard-rock riffs. "Travels In Nihilon" is possibly XTC's most haunting song. The repetitive thundering drums and spooky bass line create an atmosphere not accomplised often in popular music.
It sounds like stumbling upon a tribe of early homosapiens on a foggy shore or something. The bonus tracks are nice as well "The Somnabulist" is interesting an exceptional. "Don't Lose Your Temper" is a nifty throwaway (with The Jam's Rick Buler on Handclaps for what it's worth) and "Smokeless Zone" is a sub-par Moulding contribution. The Rhythym section of Moulding and Chambers are at the height of their powers. As were Dave Gregory and Andy Partridge's dual guitar attacks. The Album went U.S. Top 40 and spawned five, yes five singles. Melodic, atonal, inspired, inspiring and great/complex/clever arrangements. Complex and intelligent rock never sounded so easy except for maybe that band from the sixties. What were they called again?
Oh yeah The Beatles.

Average customer rating:

dark, threatening, controversial...not punk
Virtuoso musicianship... on a punk album!
Virtuoso musicianship... on a punk album!
Life should Always be so Black & White!
An all time classic

Black and White (+6 Bonus Tracks)
The Stranglers
Manufacturer: Caroline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Raven (+4 Bonus Tracks)
Rattus Norvegicus
No More Heroes
The Meninblack
La Folie

ASIN: B00005MAGF
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

Tank
Nice N' Sleazy
Outside Tokyo
Hey! (Rise Of The Robots)
Sweden (All Quiet On The Eastern Front)
Toiler On The Sea
Curfew
Threatened
In The Shadows
Do You Wanna
Death And Night And Blood (Yukio)
Enough Time
Mean To Me
Walk On By
Shut Up
Sveridge
Old Codger
Tits

Album Details

Digitally Remastered and Repackaged with Bonus Tracks, Fresh Artwork, Extensive New Sleevenotes and Many New, Previously Unseen Photos.

Customer Reviews:

dark, threatening, controversial...not punk.......2006-05-28

Black & White is the masterpiece of The Stranglers, a band which showcased a very aggressive sound (especially the bass of J.J.Burnel) with Doorsian influences (the keyboards), dark themes and very politically un-correct opinions in their lyrics.

They were contemporaries of the british punk movement of the second half of the 70's, but they were never a part of that scene and were always distinguishable for their use of keyboards and independent thought. I don't think they ever pressed the anti-establishment issue that was so prevalent in the punk scene, although they never refrained from taking an independent stand on controversial topics.

Therefore, I disagree with the label "punk" so often attached to them, included the previous users' reviews on this site. If you want to use a tag, then I think "darkwave" fits best.

The music in this album blends "dark" themes with psychedelia, poppish hooks ("Tank", "Sweden - All quiet on the eastern front") and even up-tempo waltz ("Outside Tokyo"). The drums - as the costume of the time imposed - were played in a quite rigid, cold style; the bass is an ever-threatening presence and along with the keyboards give the Stranglers music its distinctive sound.

After almost 30 years this is still great album to listen to; my impression is that fans of dark metal would also appreciate it.

Virtuoso musicianship... on a punk album!.......2003-08-20

I love this album; I consider it the best punk album ever recorded. Despite my love for this album, I've never checked out any of the other Stranglers albums... perhaps I'm afraid I'd be disappointed when comparing them to this masterpiece. (This strange quirk of mine extends to the "bonus tracks" on the CD; I don't want to hear them for fear they'll turn a perfect album into an imperfect disc.) I can't imagine The Stranglers - or punk music - getting any better than the original "Black and White" album. I don't have a favorite track on this album; they're all gems.

What makes this record unique is its balance between traditional "punk" sounds and attitudes on the one hand and virtuoso musicianship on the other. Punk bands have never been known for talented instrumentalists; oftentimes, it's a person's ATTITUDE that gets him hired by a punk band, not his ability to play an instrument. As a result, most punk bands don't have very talented musicians. That's not the case here... the members of The Stranglers are all exceptional on their chosen instruments; they all have "chops" and play as though music theory matters. Bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel is perhaps the best in the band... his tone and basslines on songs like "Toiler on the Sea" and "Nice n' Sleazy" blow me away.

Punk musicians with chops? Time and tempo changes in punk songs? It hardly seems possible, but it is. Prog Rock meets Punk? Prog Punk? What's next, will the members of Yes join the Clash?

(The only complaint: the CD format robs the buyer of the art on the original album. The LP had a "marbled vinyl look" that was entertaining to stare at as it spun beneath the record needle.)

Virtuoso musicianship... on a punk album!.......2003-08-20

Punk musicians with chops? Time and tempo changes in punk songs? It hardly seems possible, but it is. Prog Rock meets Punk? Prog Punk? What's next, will the members of Yes join the Clash?

(The only complaint: the CD format robs the buyer of the art on the original album. The LP had a "marbled vinyl look" that was entertaining to stare at as it spun beneath the record needle.)

Life should Always be so Black & White!.......2003-04-06

At first this album was a hard one to really grasp. Rattus & No More Heroes were so much easier, But with a little bit of work Black & White joins The Raven as well as the first two, as great Satisfying works of this Great Band! These guys followed their own direction, and that made this album timeless in an age of timely music. Solid songwriting and musical exploratory usage make for an album to be enjoyed, perhaps, forever. Not just songs where the clouds are interesting! Where is Sweden anyway?

An all time classic.......2002-03-11

Stranglers' fans will usually see one of three albums as the group's best: Rattus Norvegicus, Black and White or the Raven. Each have their merits and each have their own claim to be the high point. On 'Black and White' the group have found their 'sound'. The album holds together extremely well as a whole. There is still the punk energy of the group's debut. There is also some of the superb musicianship of the Raven. What makes this such a classic is the way the instruments feed off each other and complement each other so well. The booming bass lines of Jean-Jacques Burnel are constantly interacting with the unusual guitar style of Hugh Cornwell and the exceptional talents of Dave Greenfield on keyboards. This is what the Doors were aspiring to be but never quite achieved. Contains two superb singles 'Nice n Sleazy' and as a bonus track 'Walk on By'. Paradoxically it was listening to this album that A flock of Seagulls came up with their name- thankfully this group is 100 times better than Mike Score's outfit ever could be. Definitely worth the money.

Average customer rating:

It grows on you
Good, But Not Their Best
DHC numbawan !!
superb
The Best Dance Hall Crahsers CD Yet!

Purr
Dance Hall Crashers
Manufacturer: Pink & Black Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ska Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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The Old Record (1989-1992)
The Live Record: Witless Banter & 25 Mildly Antagonistic Songs About Love
Blue Plate Special [ENHANCED CD]
It Means Everything
Modified

ASIN: B00000JS10
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

Beverly Kills
Setting Sun
The Real You
Everything To Lose
Just Like That
Remember To Breathe
Make Her Purr
Do You Think You're Beautiful
Nothing Left To Say
Won't Be The Same
Cat Fight
Cricket

Customer Reviews:

It grows on you.......2002-07-26

I didn't like it when I first listened, but that's not uncommon with CDs I eventually find really interesting. Plan to take some time to read the lyrics -- they are different, fun, and clever. The harmonies are similarly appealing. I would especially recommend "Cat Fight" to all feminists.

Good, But Not Their Best.......2002-04-21

Generally, there are three elements that I look for in ska music. They are:
1. Happy tune/vibe
2. Horns section
3. Good Lyrics
Since ska is by nature always happy, this lives up to that expectation, but it pretty much ends there. They eliminated their horns section after making "The Old Album", and so far their lyrics have not made much of an impact on me. Just buy this if you are a DHC fan and already have some of their other stuff. If you're a DHC virgin, I recomend "Honey, I'm Homely!" perticularly tracks 1, 11, & 12.

DHC numbawan !!.......2001-09-30

This is my first DHC album, and by golly it won't be my last! Filled with catchy upbeat riffs and tight harmonizing from the two lead vox. I'm amazed (but immensely grateful) that we haven't seen DHC on mainstream radio.

superb.......2000-08-15

everyone has given this cd 5 stars and its well deserved. on a car ride home from vacation once i listened to this cd 5 times in a row. a lot of times when i first start listening to a song on purr it doesnt sound too good but then by the end of the song im blown away by how unbelievably good it is. it all just comes together to make songs that are so catchy words cant even describe it. cricket is such a great and different song. it sounds kinda like jewels "you were meant for me" i wonder how many other people think that. though i do like cricket a lot better. by other favorites are beverly kills, setting sun, everything to lose, nothing to lose, cat fight and cricket this cd is just sooo good you have to buy it

The Best Dance Hall Crahsers CD Yet!.......2000-07-20

While DHC has never brought out a disappointing CD, "Purr" is definitely better than the rest. Their incredible mixture of pop and punk music has created a CD that is impossible to put down. "Purr" is a must have!

Average customer rating:

No rip-offs here.
Great Band
better with age

Movements
Black Tie Dynasty
Manufacturer: Idol Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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This Stays Between Us
Big City Rock
The Black Magic Show
Clear Static
Under the Iron Sea

ASIN: B000EWBMT2
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Tracks:

Bells
Once Around
Debt
I Like U
Tender
Lakes
Ten Steps
Antarctica
Midnight Sun
Trick Photography
Devotion

Product Description

1. Bells
2. Once Around
3. Debt
4. I Like U
5. Tender
6. Lakes
7. Ten Steps
8. Antarctica
9. Midnight Sun
10. Trick Photography
11. Devotion

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

No rip-offs here........2007-03-06

This is the band I've been waiting for. Black Tie Dynasty bring a new twist on indie rock with their latest effort. I've heard way too many Coldplay and U2 rip-offs in the last few years, but BTD bring their own sound into a seemingly overcrowded genre. I think this band has some staying power.

Great Band.......2007-02-19

Excellent album. I consider their sound a mixture of Coldplay and Depeche Mode. I also got a chance to see them in concert and they put on a great show. Check out their myspace page to sample their music.

better with age.......2007-02-14

your first time with BTD Movements, you'll notice allusions to Joy Division, Depeche Mode, Coldplay, Soft Cell, U2, etc. your second time with BTD Movements, these influences begin to recede. your third time with BTD Movements, you realize it is a unique and amazing piece of work, and that the only relation it has to the aforementioned greats is that it can stand up among them.

Average customer rating:

Goodness..
An album basically made up of 1 song

At War with Satan
Venom
Manufacturer: Metal-Is
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Welcome to Hell
Black Metal
Welcome to Hell
Possessed
Under the Sign: The Sign of the Black Mark

ASIN: B0000DETEV
Release Date: 2006-01-02

Tracks:

AT WAR WITH SATAN
RIP RIDE
GENOCIDE
CRY WOLF
STAND UP ( AND BE COUNTED)
WOMEN, LEATHER AND HELL
AAAAAAARRGHH
AT WAR WITH SATAN (TV ADVERTS)
WARHEAD (12' VERSION)
LADY LUST (12'VERSION)
THE SEVEN GATES OF HELL (12' VERSION)
MANITOU (12'VERSION)
WOMAN (12'VERSION)
DEAD OF NIGHT (12' VERSION)
MANITOU (ABBEY ROAD UNCUT MIX)

Customer Reviews:

Goodness.........2006-12-18

This is Quite the Wonderful..Climax I'd Expect from such Energetic..Motivated..Classic..Pioneers..Their best album.."Thrash" is quite mistaken..(Don't mind if I Do..But good name.) Are we not supposed to Worship?Sell your soul..A sophisticated baNd..A Freakin AwesoMe..Band..Punk and Metal are now trippy rock with sophistication..Although the first hardcore band coUld have beEn Venom...Let's let this one be heard and remembered as the finest in metal..Cronos is cool, if you read Gavin Baddeley's "lucifer rising" you'll see. They are the legends they deserVe..

An album basically made up of 1 song.......2006-09-19

At fist listen the first thing that came up and kicked me was how good the production was. Now we're not talking high class production values as with today's bands, but compared to Venom's first two ultimately cool but poorly produced gruesome twosome, this sounds pretty dang good.

The album kicks off with the surprisingly long title track. This baby is almost 20 minutes in length (when released on LP, the song actually took up the entire first side)! This was very gutsy for the band! The song is surprisingly good with an "interesting" story within its lyrics. The story has some demons heading up to heaven to take the place down. They severely beat up angels who at once they recover from getting their whooped and then head down to hell to take out the demons. Yes, it is one whacked out story that only could be dreamed up by the demonic minds of Venom. The song is surprisingly well structured, considering the bands rather poorly (but still cool) structured origins. I did like the song very much but I do have to say that at 20 minutes in length, it does get a little long. Even cutting it down to 13 minutes would have been sufficient enough. One of my favorite moments of the song is the ending when it has a narrator talking over the song. It's so chilling it will give you goosebumps!!

Since the first song is so long, sadly the rest of the album really just acts as filler. Sure there is some decent material, but it really is just "there" per say. Of the six tracks that follow the monster opener, Rip Ride would have to be the best. It's just trashy black metal that Venom known for. The album closer is humorously titled Aaaaaaarrghh but sadly it doesn't live up to its funny name. It's mostly just talking. To show off the bands unique sense of humor, they announced that the third "a" in the title is silent. HAHAHA!! That's why I love Venom! They can be scary, aggressive, yet they also have that great British sense of humor (whoops, I mean humour)

The album cover itself was a real "shocker" at the time that would make any parent majorly angry at their child. Though some found it shocking, I personally found the cover to be actually humorous. I could just picture the band members just sitting around, drinking and playing cards trying to think up another way to be shocking. One member goes "how about we make the album cover have the texture of the bible and print an inverted cross on it!" Hey, what can I say, it worked as most people I know remember the album cover more than anything.

Overall I don't view this album to be as good as or better than Welcome to Hell or Black Metal. Though it's not as good, I still viewed it as a step in the right direction evolution wise. The reason for this is of course for the much improved production values as well as the better song writing capabilities that the band proved with the title song. Sadly Venom would not continue with this trend as they de-evolved with their pivotal but extremely disappointing release of Possessed.

More interesting Venom releases to come later...

Average customer rating:

Good but not great
Wonderful
excellent
fine compilation of Goth and industrial music
4 cds of wildly inconsistent music

Black Bible
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Cleopatra
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Goth Box
Goth Industrial Club Anthems
This Is Neo-Goth
Gothic Club Classics
Projekt: Gothic

ASIN: B00000DAKI
Release Date: 1998-10-27

Tracks:

In The Flat Field - Bauhaus
Blacklist - Legendary Pink Dots
Dead Heaven - Gary Numan
Everyday Is Halloween - Ministry
Laura - Fields Of The Nephilim
Pagan Lovesong - Virgin Prunes
Christian Says - Tones On Tail
Jipp - Red Lorry Yellow Lorry
Rosary - Gene Loves Jezebel
Holes - Specimen
She's A Killer - Alien Sex Fiend
Kagami - Die Form
Supernaut - 1000 Homo DJ's
Fatherland (Sisters Of Mercy Mix) - Die Krupps
V's Theme (Outro) - David J.

Tracks:

Somnolent - Delerium
Drool (Mother) - Switchblade Symphony
Allegedly, Dancefloor Tragedy - Suspiria
An Exit - Spahn Ranch
Adrenaline - Rosetta Stone
Love And Solitude - Love Is Colder Than Death
Torturous - Nosferatu
Eyelash - Big Electric Cat
The Lake - Corpus Delicti
Irresistible - Two Witches
Angel - Wumpscut
4 Walls Black - Genitorturers
Clownhead - New Creatures
Psychocult - Merry Thoughts
Invocation (Salome's Dream) - Die Laughing
Malvasia - Into The Abyss
Serenade For The Dead - Leaether Strip

Tracks:

Waves (Take Me Alive) - Rhea's Obsession
Wake Up - Crimson Joy
Odio En El Alma - Hocico
Write My Name In Blood - Burning Retina
Subversion III - Ikon
Seasoned - Numeralia
Untitled - Santeria
Birth - Gravedance
The Shepherds Deathline (Leaetherstrip Mix) - !AiBoFoRcEn
Chains - Strap On Halo
Monsters - Cruxshadows
100 Crimes - Absinthee
Desperado - Eve Of Destiny
Scar Tissue - Adam Christian
You Can Never Cut Your Hair - Trance To The Sun
Infusion - Lucifer Scale
One Mind - Magenta

Tracks:

Halloween Theme - Electric Hellfire Club
Transylvanian Concubine (The Marilyn Manson Mix) - Rasputina
Black Light District - Boyd Rice
Writhing - Blackouts
Chain - Vampire Rodents
Annabell Lee - Ataraxia
Suicide - Wake
A Flock Of Birds - Chako
This Mirage - Christian Death
The Hop - Theatre Of Hate
Party Time - 45 Grave
Cathedral In Ice - Fahrenheit
In This Garden Of Mine - Fading Colours
1969 - Wayne Hussey, Mission
Cinerarium Waltz - Eerie Von And Mike Morance
Interview - Siouxsie Sioux
Interview - Robert Smith

Customer Reviews:

Good but not great.......2007-02-09

I am a big fan of old school gothic rock. The new stuff is pretty good...and so is this collection. The booklet inside contains an explaination from Athan Maroulis (Spahn Ranch). According to him, the compilation was missing something and needed a fresh start so to speak. So the collection includes some darkwave and industrial artists. I was excited. I haven't had much exposure to industrial music because I'm still kind of stuck in the 80s. What made this just ok for me is that some of the worst songs by many accomplished bands and artists made their way here.

The Die Form song was absolutely awful. And where in the world are the Sisters of Mercy?! Seriously, they are the embodiment of goth to me and they aren't even on here! The Mission doesn't even make it on here until the 4th disk...and it's not even a classic!! And did everyone just forget about Shroud?! I sure didn't!!!! The Bauhaus song was pretty crumby too.

It's not a total bummer though, there really is some great stuff on here. Die Laughing made the cut (although it is an instrumental), there's some Big Electric Cat, and Ataraxia. The Ministry song, Everyday Is Halloween, is a great choice! I haven't heard it in many a year. And I absolutely love Dinah Cancer (45 Grave). The Cruxshadows are amazing. Rasputina is awesome. I think, more than anything, I was hoping for a little more goth.

If you are new to the genre, DO NOT let this be your first compilation! Start out with the classics like the Sisters of Mercy, the Banshees, Joy Division, and the Bauhaus (and particularly a better Bauhaus song than what's on here). As much as I hate to admit it, the latest compilation, A Life Less Lived, from Rhino Records is the best place to start.

All the same, if you happen upon this collection, go ahead and buy it. Some of these bands have long since broken up and now their music is EXTREMELY hard to find. I was lucky to set my hands on this; and while I'm not wild about it, I still enjoy it because most of it is just good music.

Wonderful.......2006-04-03

I purchased this album yesturday and simply can't get enough of it.

I'm not sure why exactly it seems to be getting so many bad reviews; sompe people seem to be complaining that its not just one genere of music: "Goth rock", "Goth", "Darkwave" or whatever else when apparently they haven't even read the booklet that came with this compliation cd

"Orginally, this collection was going to be similar to previous releases such as Goth Box, in that it would feature only "Gothic music", When compiling began, it became blatantly obvious that the material needed a fresh approach." etc. etc.

As for the people that say that the songs choosen for this album were "mundane" or unorginal, or whichever else; I wonder why they purchased this set in the first place without even looking at the back of the box; everything is clearly marked there plane as day.

I don't mean to start any kind of "Flame war" here, but I feel that the negative criticism that this album has recived is un-fair based on the incompetence in its authors.

Oh, the person I had purchased this compilation from also meantioned that it seems that this is also going out of print, so if you manage to track down a copy I would highly suggest not passing up a chance to get this.

excellent.......2005-09-13

A nice mixture of different dark styles. From the usual suspects of Spahn Ranch, Ministry, Bauhaus and Switchblade Symphony to some of less well known stars of the dark side.
Some surprising choices from those bands, like choosing a song off of Ministry's keyboard album instead of the even darker stuff that was to follow.

While most of the people buying it probably already have a lot of what's here, the things you don't make it worth it. If you like Darkwave, industrial/goth, etc., etc. it's well worth the price.

fine compilation of Goth and industrial music.......2005-06-08

I suppose it's difficult to please fans of Goth, who tend to look on the gloomy side of things by definition, but I think this collection is very good! There are four CDs in a nice case and the extensive liner notes are quite informative and entertaining.

Here you'll find cuts from Alien Sex Fiend, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Magenta, Die Krupps, Mission UK and many others, many of them on a compilation or for US distribution for the first time. Of course not all of your favorite groups will be here and you would undoubtedly have put on a different song than the one selected, but with the great range of music and the great written information, chances are you will learn something as well as discover a few new favorite groups.

4 cds of wildly inconsistent music.......2005-05-07

Cleopatra Records produces a wide variety of compilations. Some quite good (tribute to pink floyd and gong's YOU remixed) and others awful. This package falls into the awful category. A nicely done package with little inside. Over 50 bands contribute to this. Biggest names are Bauhaus (In the Flat Field), Leg. Pink Dots, Delerium, Fields of Nephilim, Boyd Rice, etc. If you are a true collector of these folks and expect to get something new or really rare, forget it. Most of it is available. The rest of the multitude of bands sound like 80 throwbacks. Nothing really innovative or original. Problem with gothic has always been it's pretentiousness. Cleopatra has already released a variety of dull gothic compilations, why do this again? I am sure there is something in here for everyone, but not everyone will love all of this material. Borrow it from a friend, not worth the price in my opinion.

Average customer rating:

Finally the long awaited album is here

Code Fun
Black Tie Revue
Manufacturer: Gearhead Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Rent a Crowd
Sold for Tomorrow
Heart Tunes to D.E.A.D.
Forget to Tell the Time
Strange Magic

ASIN: B000N69P4S
Release Date: 2007-04-17

Tracks:

Red Everywhere
I m So Sure
Code Fun
Call Waiting
There s Nothing Wrong with Veronica
Vegas Sticks
Too Much Thinking
Late Show
All of the Fish in the Sea
Absent Radio

Product Description

Hailing from the Steel City Pittsburgh, PA's Black Tie Revue gelled as a band in 2005. This incredible pop band includes elements of The Records, The Yum Yums, The Velvet Underground and The Cars in their original catchy tunes and are proudly young and geeky. They play addictively hooky, flagrantly irresponsible three-chord power-pop songs, with loud guitars, new-wave keyboards, sing-along harmonies, and a whole lot of jumping around.

Customer Reviews:

Finally the long awaited album is here.......2007-06-11

I can't tell you how long I have been waiting for this album. Awhile ago I was told that this album would be released in the fall, but that was 2005. Anyways, the saying goes "Good things come to those who wait," and even though I, like many other fans, had quite a lengthy wait, I can honestly say that it was well worth it. If you want to spin something that is unadulterated pure fun from beginning to end, then look no further than this CD. This CD is guaranteed to get your feet tapping, body moving, and instantaneously lift your spirits. The only, and I mean only, problem I have with this CD is the album cover, which I fear may deter someone new looking into this band, but let me assure you that the cover, in no way shape or form is a representation of what is on the disc.

Average customer rating:

Possessed
Venom
Manufacturer: Metal-Is
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Thrash & Speed Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Welcome to Hell
At War with Satan
Black Metal
Agent Orange

ASIN: B0000DETF0
Release Date: 2006-01-02

Tracks:

POWERDRIVE
FLYTRAP
SATANACHIST
BURN THIS PLACE TO THE GROUND
HARMONY DIES
POSSESSED
HELLCHILD
MOONSHINE
WING AND A PRAYER
SUFFER NOT THE CHILDREN
VOYEUR
MYSTIQUE
TOO LOUD (FOR THE CROWD)
NIGHTMARE (12' MIX)
FOAD (12' B SIDE)
WARHEAD (12' B SIDE)
POSSESSED (REMIX)
WITCHING HOUR (LIVE)
TEACHERS PET/ POISON/ TEACHERS PET (LIVE)

Average customer rating:

It's good music
Great band, lots of potential but...
Marginal Effort
finally something worth listenening too

Black Wave
The Lost Sounds
Manufacturer: Empty Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Rats Brains & Microchips
Lost Sounds

ASIN: B00005QD5C
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Reasons To Kill
I'm Not A Machine
Plastic Skin
Don't Turn Around
Do You Wanna Kill Me
1620 Echles St.
Throw Away
Citats Blanc
Ocelot Rising
I See Everything
Dark Shadows
Lost And Found
Saturn Stomp
I'm Not Me
Die Pax
What'd I Say
Soon This Tomb
Heart Felt Toys
Walk In Line

Album Description

Picture this record achieving & surpassing whatever absurd yet gorgeous sounding Three Imaginary Boys era-Cure by way of the Screamers (listen to more music, pedestrian) by way of Emperor by way of the Seeds by way of totally believable, timeless aggression. Band contains Alicja Trout (The Clears, The Fitts), Jay (Reatards, Monsieur Jeffrey Evans' Cc Riders, The Final Solutions), John Garland (Sweetbox Nubbins), and Rich (The Reatards, American Deathray). Empty Records.

Customer Reviews:

It's good music.......2005-11-12

The recording is not supposed to be all crisp and clear, this is REAL music not something some money-seeking label put together for MTV.

The recording quality is not horrible at all, it's done perfectly. Alicja Trout, Jay Reatard and Rich Crook are not amateurs, they make some of the best music available today. This is great stuff, yeah and alot of it is born in garages, but that just means these artists are too smart to pay for expensive studio time so they can use fancy equipment to kill their sound.

Lost Sounds are genius

Great band, lots of potential but..........2003-05-07

...Horrible recording quality. I don't know maybe the sound is what they were looking for, maybe it's their style. This band is really good, I see them being big in the future, which will hopefully put them on a lable more capable of capturing their bizarre sound. maybe the newer cd is better quality. Just be warned, the recording sounds very amatuer, like out of someone's garage.

Marginal Effort.......2002-07-22

Really spotty.. on some songs they are firing on all cylinders, but then there are others that just didn't grab me. Other songs show potential for greatness and almost get there. I found the recording techniques used to be distracting.. the keyboards drown out almost everything. If you are interested in bands in a similar vein, Six Finger Satellite knew how to combine keyboards with a wall o' guitar properly (I say "knew" because I'm not sure if they're still together). All of Six Finger Satellite's releases were really good, so you may want to check them out.

finally something worth listenening too.......2002-01-24

by far my favorite album in the last few years. this is much better than their first album (which is still awesome). sort of a black, eerie, new wave/garage mayhem that reminds me of the Screamers, early Devo, maybe even some Scientists, it's a new sound without sounding experimental or "progressive". something refreshing in a stale, stale, stale punk/garage scene. keep rocking

Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express

Average customer rating:

I love this album

Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express
The Go-Betweens
Manufacturer: Jet Set Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Chamber Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Tallulah
16 Lovers Lane
Spring Hill Fair
Before Hollywood
Send Me a Lullaby

ASIN: B00067Z23M
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Tracks:

Spring Rain
Ghost and the Black Hat
Wrong Road
To Reach Me
Twin Layers of Lightening
In the Core of the Flame
Head Full of Steam
Bow Down
Palm Sunday (On Board the S.S. Within)
Apology Accepted
Spring Rain [Multimedia Track]
Head Full of Steam [Multimedia Track]

Tracks:

Life at Hand
Don't Let Him Come Back [New Version]
Apology Accepted [Radio Session]
I Work in a Health Spa
Bow Down [Early Version]
Casanova's Last Words
Head Full of Steam [Single Version]
Little Joe
Wrong Road [Early Version]
Reunion Dinner
I'm Gonna Knock on Your Door

Customer Reviews:

I love this album.......2005-01-21

This is my 5 star Go Betweens album....every song is a good one and several of them are great...anyone who loves the GOB's has their own favourite and you can debate which one, (and I have)...This is their fourth album and the guys had grown up here and were making songs that reflected and refined their personal experiences and not just their imaginary ones...Grant Mc Lennan and Robert Forster were uniquely two lead singers in the one band, and they both had unique voices...both were infallibly Romantic but Forster was the ironist, McLennan, even at his lightest, was always touched with melancholy...these guys were the genuine article and though they never got famous they were a remarkable band... Spring Rain is Robert Forster at his most jaunty, Twin Layers of Lightening at his most sophisticated, Bow Down his most romantic...McLennan's offerings The Wrong Road and Apology Accepted are splendid...I love this album...If you don't know the band, start with a Greatest Hits and if you get what The Go Betweens were up to, this is the album you must have.

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