Soft Cell -- classic or dud?

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Apparently nobody's asked this yet! And with the reunion more or less under way and my editors at the AMG asking me to review the original singles collection, I was seized with inspiration (and I'm currently listening to "Torch" right now -- what a song).

Okay, for me this is an utter, complete and *total* no-brainer -- classic? More like one of the best acts ever, for me an eternal top five in the pantheon. Like most of known humanity, "Tainted Love" was what I first heard from them back in 1982 or so and all I knew for years. I first discovered Marc Almond's solo work in 1988 and now I'm a total and complete fanatic of both his work on his own (just an amazing series of albums over time, I could go on...) and with Soft Cell itself. And when I did discover Soft Cell fully -- man. Picking up that original singles compilation was just a revelation. For me a song like "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" is the pinnacle of romantic drama, "Bedsitter" the definition of slice-of-life depictions of reality behind fantasy, "Soul Inside" sheer desperate, frenetic paranoia. And that's both lyrically and musically, Dave Ball is such an underrated musician and arranger -- things like the steady build of the melody on "Loving You, Hating Me" and that beautiful, shimmering introduction on the extended version of "What!"

So I'd be interested to hear what everyone else thinks, even if you only know "Tainted Love." :-)

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I don't know that much, but everything I've heard I love, if that's any help.

― Robin Carmody, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

For me 'Tainted Love' became a bit of a millstone. I've always hated it. However like yourself Ned I recently picked up a copy of their singles collection (for next to nothing) and was astonished. Suicide meets Tamla Motown, a cluster of Electro-pop jewels, lovely. Previous indifference/dislike melted away into new found respect. 'Memorabilia' proto-techno from 1981, + 'Say Hello, Wave Goodbye' is one of few tears that can cause tears in this listener. Volte-face, Soft Cell really had something, only it took 15 years after their split for me to hear it.

― stevo, Wednesday, 18 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

they brought sodomy to the top 20 again - classic!

― Geoff, Wednesday, 18 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Yep, I'm with you Ned, rilly top drawer, classic classic classic. And like Stevo, "Tainted Love" was a real turn off for me at the time. I didn't really pay attention until just after they broke up and never saw them live. I did get to see that Immaculate Consumptives show though, the one w/ Nick Cave, Foetus, Lydia Lunch and Marc. Marc did that Marc and the Mambas song about "waiting at the station for the train to ruination", sorry can't remember the title, with Lydia just languishing on a couch by his side spewing stuff like "Jeez, whaddya do with a guy like this?" and "Oh gawd, get out of town!" It was hysterical.

I used to love to play their version of the Heartbreakers "Born to Lose" to annoy all the dyed-in-the-wool Noo Yawk punker types who frequented the bar I DJed at. God, Soft Cell were great.

Other faves: "Numbers", a very human take on the whole John Rechy rack-em-up gay conquest thing and "Sex Dwarf"-so silly, so seedy, I never tire of it.

And the autobiography's swell, too.

― Arthur, Wednesday, 18 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I own : 1 album, 1 single (guess which one, duh). vaguely recall : handful of other traxxx. but , all pretty hot.

― duane, Wednesday, 18 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The great thing about SC (when they were good which was not always) isnt the decadence - Marc A could clearly have done fullon decadence if he wanted and was lured into doing so, boringly, for most of his career - but the tension between the straight and the seedy. For most of Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret (a totally classic album) Marc is singing about the frustrated itchy need to let go - "live a little, be a Tarzan, run a harem etc." - rather than the letting go. The silliness and shabbiness is really poignant: "Sex Dwarf" is more of a turn on because it captures the ridiculousness of amateur s & m as well as the power. And so on. And yes Ned the sounds - cheap and nasty - Dave Ball made are really key here: "Tainted Love" is one of the best singles ever mostly on the strength of the first ten seconds.

("Tainted Love" is one of the great oh-but-i-prefer-the-original-OF- COURSE singles. Other examples being Shipbuilding and Money's Too Tight To Mention. But ace though Gloria Jones single is...it's not *that* ace. Mind you I could also defend Simply Red vs the Valentine Brothers so.)

So classic for that, and for some of the singles - particularly the extended mixes - classic too. (A truly great underlooked gem is the full-length "Facility Girls" with its shivery perspective twists. The full-length "Torch" is brilliant too.) But for most of Marc A's career he's played up the Deviant Glam bits rather than the dirty- raincoat bits, and that's always seemed somehow too easy a route, to me.

― Tom, Wednesday, 18 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Classic.

Non stop erotic cabaret and art of falling apart are essential. They sound amazingly dramatic, passionate and lush nearly 20 years on. how people could find this music cold and distant is beyond me.

Non stop ecstatic dancing and last night in sodom both ok.

But in all cases they have one of the few CD reissues where the bonus tracks are actually worth having. Esp last night in sodom where the bonus tracks (you only live twice/007 theme/soul inside) are better than the actual album.

They're one of the few reunions when it looks as though something worthwhile may be produced other than topping up their pension scheme.

― Billy Dods, Wednesday, 18 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"Where the Heart Is", "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" and especially "Torch" are utterly classic. I've never heard any of the albums. Kinda gone off "Tainted Love" - must have heard the thing 10 million times, although I don't disagree with Tom's comments. It IS one of the best singles ever, it's just that I don't want to hear it much.

― Dr. C, Wednesday, 18 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Sex Dwarves??????

― Mike Hanle y, Wednesday, 18 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Soft Cell are good! Soft Cell are good! Me like Soft Cell.

― DG, Wednesday, 18 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Classic, although I don't always admit it. And speaking of things I don't admit, my image at age 15, 1983 or whatever it was, was directly inspired by Marc Almond (black trench coat, black shades, dyed black hair, and occaisonally *gasp* eyleliner)... ok, some things are better left in the past.

"Non-Stop Erotic Caberet" still sounds good tho...

― Sean, Wednesday, 18 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I was one of those poor sods who only knew them for "Tainted Love" and that alone made me want to classify them as total dud (The song being one of those completely played to death 80s songs). It wasn't untill recently as I was nosing around in my boyfriend's record collection that I stumbled across his copy of "Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret" and decided to give it a spin. Afterwords my first initial response was..."DUH!" and how I could have been so blind. I was completely dumbfounded by both the lyrics and music. Oh--and I confess to having a thing for "Tainted Love" now. ;)

― JC, Wednesday, 18 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"Non-stop erotic cabaret" was one of my fave albums for years, though listening to it now I'm kind of annoyed by all the saxaphone. The 3rd track used to really turn me on ... "isn't that you on the screen?" Whooo!

Also loved The Torch, Martin etc. Hut does anyone know that amazing Marc Almond 6 track EP (I think, I only had a copy) with Matt Johnson (The The) Starts with a proto-drum'n'bass rhythm and beautiful chord sequence, then a psychadelic indianish track, Jacques Brel's "If you go away", what I think is a Scott Walker song, plus another Dave Ball classic ... I think it was called "The Unnamable" or something ...

― phil, Thursday, 19 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

That's weird, whatever you have sounds like some edited version of Marc's first solo album, "Untitled", which does indeed have Matt Johnson backing Marc up throughout and said Brel cover as well.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 19 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

three years pass...

"say hello, wave goodbye" is magnificent. i'm not sure how well he handled this later on, but on this record marc almond's struggling with his voice's inherent limitations is put to best advantage, epitomized that last wavering high note. he really knows how to tell a story--an incredibly expressive singer, if not a notably technically proficient one.

as for the story.... well, often male prewar country singers would sing ballads from the POV of a woman, which often serves to heighten my investment in the story even though from today's perspective this habit seems odd indeed. here we have a gay man singing in the persona of a straight guy singing to a girl, and the effect seems somewhat the same--not coy, not ironic, not camp as i understand that. just a story whose emotional undercurrents are made universal via the conviction with which almond puts across the details.

(those details included an entirely convincing back-and-forth between denial and disgust, transcendence and pettiness. i guess that's even hinted at in the title. and left unresolved by song's end.)

(i suppose a possible alternate reading, which i'm happy to hold in my head at the same time as the previous one, is of a [closeted?] gay man falling extravagantly in love with love for a woman, as a means of denying/transcending other feelings. the resulting melodrama is less the source of emotional trauma than the projection of a trauma that cannot be admitted.)

but yeah this song feels like a kind of apocalypse, but with just enough bitter humor to keep it from feeling sticky or overwrought.

― amateur!!!st (amateurist), Thursday, 9 September 2004 06:20 (twenty-one years ago)

although yeah, the third interpretation is that the "girl" part is just almond being coy, and the song is about a gay man struggling to deny his sexuality and aiming instead for a conventional wife/kids/suburbs life.

though actually i think the lyric is written and delivered in such a way that it can support all of these interpretations. v. clever of almond to register the emotional overlap between radically different forms of self-denial and -disgust. (or are they so radically different?)

― amateur!!!st (amateurist), Thursday, 9 September 2004 06:25 (twenty-one years ago)

As for me well, I’ll find some one
Who’s not going cheap in the sales.

ouch! I always found these lyrics so dirty and cruel and true - like a slap in the face. but i'm definitely a soft cell/ marc almond fanatic...

― Marco Damiani (Marco D.), Thursday, 9 September 2004 08:33 (twenty-one years ago)

If I were to get one Soft Cell CD, what should it be?

― supercub, Thursday, 9 September 2004 08:43 (twenty-one years ago)

"non stop erotic cabaret" is the classic one with the biggest hits, but my favourite is "this last night in sodom" - frantic, violent, occasionally lost in a thick haze of cheap drugs and sleazy sex.

― Marco Damiani (Marco D.), Thursday, 9 September 2004 08:55 (twenty-one years ago)

― amateur!!st, Thursday, 9 September 2004 15:14 (twenty-one years ago)

I was asleep when you posted this last night, sir. ;-)

A very fine reading of an apocalyptically great song. I was reminded recently again of Soft Cell's brilliance thanks to the weird and wonderful Non-Stop Erotic Video Show getting a DVD release, as I wibble on about here...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 9 September 2004 15:17 (twenty-one years ago)

six months pass...

amateurist's interpretation of Say Hello... is fine indeed. I just listened to Non Stop Erotic Cabaret today for the first time in ages and similar thoughts were bouncing around my head re Frustration. How angry is that song?

I'd forgotten about the genius of Seedy Films. It's his Walk on the Wild Side, I guess. Whatever, it works so beautifully. Blimey, and to think I was 14 when I first heard it

― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Sunday, 3 April 2005 19:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh and let's not overlook Dave Ball's contribution to Say Hello Wave Goodbye. Those 'strings' in the chorus still make me all goosepimply.

― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Sunday, 3 April 2005 19:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Me too. I have a compilation called 'The Best of Soft Cell' or something like that - without Tainted Love! Can't say I miss that song at all.

― moley, Sunday, 3 April 2005 20:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Tainted Love will be the soundtrack to the end of the world.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Sunday, 3 April 2005 20:57 (twenty-one years ago)

four months pass...

For the fanatics -- Marc Almond's site is now selling The Bedsit Tapes, which collects all/most of the original demos Marc and Dave did while still at school in Leeds. I have a hunch you might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere if you look around, but ya never know. Dave does liner notes; tracklisting:

1 .. Potential
2 L.O.V.E. Feeling
3 Metro Mr X
4 Bleak Is My Favourite Cliche
5 Occupational Hazard
6 Mix
7 Factory Fun
8 Science Fiction Stories
9 Purely Functional
10 A Cut Above The Rest
11 Paranoid
12 Excretory Eat Anorexia Nervosa
13 Cleansing Fanatic
14 Walking Make Up Counter
15 Pyrex My Cuisine
16 Tupperware Counter

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 6 August 2005 13:02 (twenty years ago)

Those titles are so great! "Walking Make Up Counter"!!! "Excretory Eat Anorexia Nervosa"!!!

― I Should Coco Schwab (Arthur), Saturday, 6 August 2005 14:24 (twenty years ago)

Heheheh. I should have guessed you would approve. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 6 August 2005 14:37 (twenty years ago)

bravo! i'd imagine it sounds pretty, umm, rudimentary, but hey, that never stopped The Normal or Cabaret Voltaire or Fad Gadget or DAF...

― CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Saturday, 6 August 2005 14:41 (twenty years ago)

i bought that 12"/80s/2 compilation the other week (i'd link to the thread, but i can't be arsed finding it) and it's got the extended version of bedsitter on it. i've never heard it before, and it is absolutely spellbinding: their finest moment after the 12" of "say hello" (which might, on the day of reckoning, just end up being my favourite song in the world).

it has a little skeletal rap in the middle eight, addressed to a girl. the way the bassline comes back in during this final couplet:

make your single bed
and push the tea leaves down the drain
take a long deep breath
and start the nightlife over again
brings tears to my eyes; just the sheer perfection of it.
there's also a heartbreaking additional refrain towards the end: "i'm waiting for something/i'm only passing time". this wasn't in the original, was it?
is everyone familiar with this version or not - ie is it just me that's managed to miss its existence for all these years?
― grimly fiendish, watching the mirror and counting the lines (grimlord), Saturday, 6 August 2005 15:54 (twenty years ago)

shit.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Saturday, 6 August 2005 15:54 (twenty years ago)

normal service now resumed.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Saturday, 6 August 2005 15:55 (twenty years ago)

Rah.

it has a little skeletal rap in the middle eight

Yeah, I love that -- first time I heard that I was all 'amazing! and so good! how to improve on something theoretically unimprovable.'

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 6 August 2005 16:26 (twenty years ago)

nine months pass...

I'm hearing something now and I'm not believing my ears. It's Soft Cell doing a Hendrix Medley. Purple Haze et al. I am truly amazed.

― honorary joy division roadie (Bimble...), Sunday, 7 May 2006 21:47 (twenty years ago)

Yeah I'd really like to have the Bedsit Tapes.

― honorary joy division roadie (Bimble...), Sunday, 7 May 2006 21:53 (twenty years ago)

My friend's a big fan, I think he has their whole discography. I like them too, I'd say their cover of Tainted Love assures they are closer to classic status than to dud..

― Harrison Barr (Petar), Sunday, 7 May 2006 21:57 (twenty years ago)

anyone else have that rare 12" mixes boot that's knocking around?

― lil' merzbow wow (haitch), Sunday, 7 May 2006 22:46 (twenty years ago)

this one

― lil' merzbow wow (haitch), Sunday, 7 May 2006 22:52 (twenty years ago)

that Hendrix medley is on Art of Falling Apart, isn't it? I am pretty sure my copy has it..

― dar1a g (daria g), Monday, 8 May 2006 00:14 (twenty years ago)

Tainted Love will be the soundtrack to the end of the world.

-- Onimo (gerry.wat...), April 3rd, 2005 10:57 PM. (GerryNemo)

WTF was I on about?

Curse you drunken internets!

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 8 May 2006 00:24 (twenty years ago)

Hahahahaha it's all our faults.

― honorary joy division roadie (Bimble...), Monday, 8 May 2006 03:54 (twenty years ago)

Tainted Love will be the soundtrack to the end of the world.
-- Onimo (gerry.wat...), April 3rd, 2005 10:57 PM. (GerryNemo)
WTF was I on about?
Curse you drunken internets!

-- Onimo

I just realised it's a Dr Who reference. Tainted Love is played by Cassandra on the "iPod" in The End Of The World

Curse you failing memory!

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 8 May 2006 07:02 (twenty years ago)

I for one welcome our newly failing memory.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Monday, 8 May 2006 08:57 (twenty years ago)

A great song in "Bedsitter" and one of the best cover versions ever in "Tainted Love". Those two alone make them classic.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Monday, 8 May 2006 11:02 (twenty years ago)

Maybe I'm alone in this, but I don't even think "Tainted Love" is their best Northern Soul cover (which is "Down In The Subway").

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Monday, 8 May 2006 11:31 (twenty years ago)

What?

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Monday, 8 May 2006 11:33 (twenty years ago)

You're right. My Written English Gland appears to have packed in while writing that.

What I meant to say, is I think "Down In The Subway" is Soft Cell's best cover. Feel free to disagree, as I'm sure you all do.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Monday, 8 May 2006 12:47 (twenty years ago)

You misread my post.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Monday, 8 May 2006 12:57 (twenty years ago)

I agree with Marcello.

― Tim (Tim), Monday, 8 May 2006 13:02 (twenty years ago)

Skipping 67 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/aug/21/soft-cell-release-northern-lights-first-new-song-15-years-marc-almond-dave-ball

― Dan Worsley, Tuesday, 21 August 2018 11:43 (seven years ago)

Wait, whatwhat now!?

― Le Baton Rose (Turrican), Tuesday, 21 August 2018 17:18 (seven years ago)

two weeks pass...

Box set in hand:

Two words: hell yes

Four words: Misery! Complaints! Self-pity! Injustice!

(And bonus @simon_price01 content doncha know.) pic.twitter.com/HsVPU1ty0j
— Ned Raggett (@NedRaggett) September 5, 2018

Would crack into it immediately but I have houseguests for the next few days. Alas.

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 5 September 2018 19:08 (seven years ago)

That looks marvellous!

― Le Baton Rose (Turrican), Wednesday, 5 September 2018 19:21 (seven years ago)

three weeks pass...

Well, a couple of days away but I'm envious of anyone going to the O2 show on Sunday for sure. They're recording it for audio/video release and preorders are up so I can't complain too much, and I did see them on their American reunion tour back in 2002 or whenever it was as well. Even so, a twinge of regret I can't make it over.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 27 September 2018 23:29 (seven years ago)

Amazing setlist. Just would have liked “It’s a Mug’s Game” too!

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/soft-cell/2018/the-o2-arena-london-england-33e914c5.html

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 30 September 2018 23:18 (seven years ago)

nine months pass...

anyone have it yet? https://www.lexermusic.com/soft-cell-live

― StanM, Monday, 29 July 2019 15:45 (six years ago)

Ordered and en route...

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 29 July 2019 21:32 (six years ago)

one year passes...

Back back back again!

https://softcell.tmstor.es/

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 28 July 2021 17:06 (four years ago)

Also a new set of shows, performing _Non Stop Erotic Cabaret_ in full:

https://myticket.co.uk/artists/soft-cell

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 28 July 2021 17:35 (four years ago)

Misread the thread title as Soft Cell -- classic or duo? and thought, well gosh, really?! Can't they be both?

― henry s, Wednesday, 28 July 2021 17:41 (four years ago)

two weeks pass...

Hey hey, we got one of the new songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnheY81x3dM

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 12 August 2021 17:38 (four years ago)

three months pass...

https://thequietus.com/articles/30878-soft-cell-non-stop-erotic-cabaret-oral-history-dave-ball-marc-almond-interview
Wonderful oral history

― willem, Monday, 29 November 2021 10:19 (four years ago)

one month passes...

Heads up...

https://liveherenow.co.uk/products/soft-cell-stream-ticket?_pos=2&_sid=a595cf9d2&_ss=r

Available for the next couple of days, but there will be a separate Blu-ray etc release later.

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 29 December 2021 00:54 (four years ago)

two months pass...

video for “Purple Zone” (duet w/ PSBs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv4QNTg1Mps

― donna rouge, Wednesday, 23 March 2022 14:04 (four years ago)

Struggling to think of any collaboration in any medium that is quite so staggeringly less than the sum of its parts.

― Piedie Gimbel, Wednesday, 23 March 2022 14:59 (four years ago)

I think it's a sweet little fillip

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 23 March 2022 14:59 (four years ago)

More info---Pets do some mixes---Happiness Not Included (thanks for warning) out May 6: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Soft-Cell-Team-Up-With-Pet-Shop-Boys-For-The-New-Single--Purple-Zone-.html?aid=sqHHp24xO3Q&soid=1101984419757

― dow, Thursday, 24 March 2022 04:18 (four years ago)

one month passes...

North American dates! https://www.marcalmond.co.uk/live/index.html

23 AUGUST 2022
The Magnolia, El Cajon, CA, USA
(presale code TAINTED2022)

24 AUGUST 2022
YouTube Theater, Inglewood, CA, USA

26 AUGUST 2022
The Masonic, San Francisco, CA, USA
(presale code TAINTED2022)

28 AUGUST 2022
House Of Blues Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
(presale code TAINTED2022)

30 AUGUST 2022
Beacon Theatre, New York, NY, USA
(presale code TAINTED2022)

31 AUGUST 2022
History, Toronto, Canada
(presale code TAINTED2022)

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 9 May 2022 23:14 (four years ago)

three months pass...

listening to this last night in sodom for the first time…. ahahahaha omg

― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Thursday, 18 August 2022 02:47 (three years ago)

Can't wait for your review Brad

― Bee OK, Thursday, 18 August 2022 03:19 (three years ago)

Here doggy doggy
http://www.dangerousminds.net/comments/soft_cells_infamous_sex_dwarf_video_nsfw
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 1:28 PM (ten years ago) bookmarkflaglink

Link is still good but video is gone:
https://vimeo.com/429915379

― Bee OK, Thursday, 18 August 2022 03:46 (three years ago)

Still can’t believe I get to see them again next week

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 18 August 2022 04:27 (three years ago)

Little Rough Rhinestone <33

― you can see me from westbury white horse, Thursday, 18 August 2022 05:09 (three years ago)

Ah man, this sucks, but at least there'll be something:

Sadly we learned today that Dave Ball will not be able to do the Soft Cell USA tour. The shows are still happening, for full details please see the statement on the website:https://t.co/MSWd25GFnf pic.twitter.com/YLnxzVAkwW
— Marc Almond (@MarcAlmond) August 22, 2022

From the FB announcement:

Sadly we learned today that Dave Ball will not be able to do the Soft Cell tour in the USA. We hoped until the last minute that his recovery would make it possible and all was looking good but unfortunately he has had a set back and is unable to make it.
Philip has been on standby, as our contingency being the producer of the album, and having stepped up in the past.
I will miss Dave on stage as his presence is hard to replace but musically and visually the show will run the same and Phil always does a great job on synths.
I know you will still enjoy the show. The show will be in two halves: The first half a mixed selection, songs from The Art Of Falling Apart and our other albums plus a selection of new songs from Happiness Not Included. The second half the whole of Non Stop Erotic Cabaret in order.
I know Dave wants everyone to see what a brilliant show it is and he thanks everyone for their messages in recent weeks.
The team being already in the USA for this, let’s just do it.
It is stressful enough as it is on the occasions that Dave is not with me, so hopefully the love and support will be there for us.
Marc Almond

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 22 August 2022 16:59 (three years ago)

damn so its just a marc almond show i guess.

― kurt schwitterz, Monday, 22 August 2022 19:24 (three years ago)

Sad news. Wishing Dave Ball the best.

― SQUIRREL MEAT!! (Capitaine Jay Vee), Monday, 22 August 2022 20:49 (three years ago)

one year passes...

Well...if you're made of money:

https://thesoundofvinyl.com/collections/soft-cell/products/non-stop-erotic-cabaret-6cd-box-set

CD1 - NSEC REMASTERED ALBUM & ORIGINAL 7" VERSIONS & NON-ALBUM SINGLES
Frustration
Tainted Love
Seedy Films
Youth
Sex Dwarf
Entertain Me
Chips On My Shoulder
Bedsitter
Secret Life
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
Memorabilia (NSED Version)
Where Did Our Love Go? (NSED Version)
What? (NSED Version)
A Man Could Get Lost (NSED Version)
Chips On My Shoulder (NSED Version)
Sex Dwarf (NSED Version)
A Man Could Get Lost (Single Version)
Torch (Single Version)
What? (Single Version)
CD2 - NON-STOP EXTENDED CABARET & NEW REMIXES
Frustration (Extended Version)
Tainted Love (2021 10" Extended Version)
Seedy Films (2023 Extended Version)
Youth (2018 Extended Version)
Sex Dwarf (2023 Extended Version)
Entertain Me (2023 Extended Version)
Chips On My Shoulder (2018 Extended Version)
Bedsitter (1981 Extended Version)
Secret Life (2018 Extended Version)
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (2018 Extended Version)
Memorabilia (Daniel Miller 2023 Remix)
Memorabilia (The Hacker 2023 Remix)
A Man Could Get Lost (2023 Extended Version)
CD3 - CURIOS, RARITIES, SESSIONS & ALTERNATIVE MIXES
Frustration (Original Mutant Moments Version)
Tainted Love (2022 Version)
Seedy Films (Richard X Remix)
Youth (Dave Ball Warhol Funeral Mix)
Sex Dwarf (BBC Whistle Test)
Entertain Me (BBC Live Session)
Chips On My Shoulder (BBC Live Session)
Bedsitter (Flexipop Version)
Secret Life (George Demure Remix)
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (ORS Live)
A Man Could Get Lost (Live at Leeds Warehouse 2018)
Facility Girls (2018 Extended Mix)
Torch (Live) (TOTP2, 2002)
Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go (US Radio Edit)
Seedy Films (BBC Live Session)
Youth (BBC Whistle Test)
Chips On My Shoulder (ORS Live)
Bedsitter (BBC Live Session)
A Man Could Get Lost (Original Demo)
Tainted Love (Aborted Studio Take)
CD4 - NON-STOP INSTRUMENTAL CABARET & DEMOS
Frustration
Tainted Love
Seedy Films
Youth
Sex Dwarf
Entertain Me
Chips On My Shoulder
Bedsitter
Secret Life
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
Frustration (Original Demo)
Tainted Love (Original Daniel Miller Demo)
Seedy Films (Original Demo)
Chips On My Shoulder (Original Demo)
Secret Life (Original Demo)
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Original Demo)
Facility Girl (Original Demo)
Memorabilia (Original Demo)
Persuasion (Original Demo)
Memorabilia (Instrumental)
A Man Could Get Lost (7" Instrumental)
CD5 - ORIGINAL 12" MIXES & B SIDES
Memorabilia (Original 12" Version)
Persuasion (Original 12" Version)
Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go? (Original 12" Version)
Tainted Dub (Original Version)
Facility Girls (Original 12" Version)
Fun City (Original Version)
Torch (Original 12" Version)
Insecure…Me (Original 12" Version)
What? (Original 12" Version)
So (Original 12" Version)
CD6 - NON-STOP EROTIC CABARET, LIVE IN LEEDS, NOVEMBER 2021 PLUS MORE
Frustration (Live)
Tainted Love (Live)
Seedy Films (Live)
Youth (Live)
Sex Dwarf (Live)
Entertain Me (Live)
Chips On My Shoulder (Live)
Bedsitter (Live)
Secret Life (Live)
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Live)
Torch (Live in Leeds, 2021)
Memorabilia (Live in Leeds, 2021)
Insecure Me (Live at 02, 2018)
What? (Live at O2, 2018)
Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go? (Live in Leeds, 2002)

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 30 August 2023 18:26 (two years ago)

Woah, sounds great.

― Chewshabadoo, Thursday, 31 August 2023 08:09 (two years ago)

one month passes...

"This Last Night In Sodom": a perfect album, I say. Consistent throughout. Buzzy, wild synths and boxy drum machines. Almond's nearly unhinged overdubbed harmonies and backing vox. Tons of reverb. MONO! Frayed and hungover sounding yet full of a weird, speedy energy. Needs more accolades!

― SQUIRREL MEAT!! (Capitaine Jay Vee), Friday, 6 October 2023 01:04 (two years ago)

Trudat!

― Ned Raggett, Friday, 6 October 2023 02:42 (two years ago)

Thirded! (is it really mono though? I never noticed)

― Doctor Madame Frances Experimento, LLC", Friday, 6 October 2023 14:06 (two years ago)

Some of the tracks are, yes!

― SQUIRREL MEAT!! (Capitaine Jay Vee), Friday, 6 October 2023 15:14 (two years ago)

one year passes...

Bit of a fun surprise!

https://www.softcell.co.uk/product/non-stop-ecstatic-dancing-2025-coloured-double-vinyl-edition-pre-order

CD1
1 Memorabilia (Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing Version) – Remastered
2 Where Did Our Love Go? (Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing Version) – Remastered
3 What! (Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing Version) – Remastered
4 A Man Could Get Lost (Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing Version) – Remastered
5 Chips On My Shoulder (Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing Version) – Remastered
6 Sex Dwarf (Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing Version) – Remastered
7 Tainted Dub (From Original 12″) – Remastered
8 Torch (12″ Version) – Remastered
9 Insecure Me? (12″ Version) – Remastered
10 What! (12″ Version) – Remastered
11 So (12″ Version) – Remastered
12 Torch (7″ Version) – Remastered
13 Insecure Me? (7″ Version) – Remastered
14 What! (7″ Version) – Remastered
CD2
1 Memorabilia (The Hacker 808 Remix) – Previously unreleased
2 A Man Could Get Lost (Jon Pleased Wimmin Remix) – Previously promo only
3 Torch (MHC 2001 Remix) – Previously unreleased version
4 Insecure Me? (Hifi Sean Remix) – Previously promo only
5 So (Hifi Sean Baltimore Basement Dub) – Previously promo only
6 Bedsitter (Manhattan Clique Mix) – Previously on Heat The Remixes only
7 Tainted Love (Paul Dakeyne Remix) – Previously unreleased version
8 Memorabilia (Wally Funk Remix) – Previously promo only
9 Sex Dwarf (The Grid Remix) – Previously on Heat The Remixes only
10 Bedsitter (Erasure Remix) – Previously on Keychains box set only
11 So (The Grid Remix) – First time ever on CD
12 Memorabilia (Daniel Miller Remix)

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 24 April 2025 15:30 (one year ago)

three months pass...

Okay, album number six incoming:

https://www.facebook.com/softcell/posts/pfbid075bbiUjevqny2F1UvAFYhEVNKgXto93UVqSGmt4DPh2K939o544r87MueuV2zZrHl

Soft Cell @marcalmondofficial and @daveballelectro have this week signed a new worldwide recording deal for their sixth studio album, Danceteria, which will be released via Republic of Music in spring 2026.
Named after the infamous New York nightclub which played host to Soft Cell’s Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret US launch party, the club became renowned as the centre of new wave music in early 80s New York, frequented by many musicians and artists who became famous during the decade, including Marc Almond and Dave Ball.
Danceteria is the follow up to 2021’s acclaimed ‘*Happiness not included’ album, which reached Number 7 in the UK charts, and features the hit single ‘Purple Zone’ with Pet Shop Boys.
Marc Almond comments: “I have loved working on this album. Dave’s music has once again inspired me to write a set of lyrics that this time reflect a time in my life in New York in the early 80s, at a particular creative and pivotal time of changes in my personal life and the city itself. Some of the songs are very personal. Soft Cell have always had a strong connection to New York, recording our first three albums there, and taking inspiration from its’ underground and culture, my Soft Cell lyrics have often looked at America through British eyes”.
Dave Ball comments: “I’m very excited about the new Soft Cell album – the first thing to be created in my new studio in London. With Marc’s vocals recorded across the river in Soho, it’s inspired by, and tells the tales of, our London and New York experiences in the early 80s”.
After spending 2025 touring the US and Australia, Soft Cell perform their only UK show, headlining the Rewind Festival in Oxfordshire on 16th August.
Marc and Dave promise that “2026 will be a Soft Cell year”. Watch this space…

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 12 August 2025 23:58 (nine months ago)

three weeks pass...

Well this'll keep you busy:

https://www.softcell.co.uk/product/new-the-art-of-falling-apart-2025-6-cd-box-set-art-print-set

The Art Of Falling Apart’ will also be available as double LP and double CD packages, featuring highlights from the 6CD box with the LP pressed on colour vinyl.
‘The Art of Falling Apart’ reissue tracklistings for the 6CD box set
CD1 – REMASTERED ALBUM, B SIDES, BONUS 12″
Forever The Same – Remastered
Where The Heart Is – Remastered
Numbers – Remastered
Heat – Remastered
Kitchen Sink Drama – Remastered
Baby Doll – Remastered
Loving You, Hating Me – Remastered
The Art Of Falling Apart – Remastered
Martin – Remastered
Hendrix Medley – Remastered
It’s A Mug’s Game (7″ Version) – Remastered
Barriers (7″ Version) – – Remastered
Loving You, Hating Me – Special Mix – – Remastered
CD2 – THE ART OF FALLING APART – EXTENDED ALBUM PLUS ORIGINAL 12″ B SIDES
Forever The Same
Where The Heart Is
Numbers
Heat
Kitchen Sink Drama
Baby Doll
Loving You, Hating Me
The Art Of Falling Apart
It’s A Mug’s Game
Barriers
CD3 – CURIOS, RARITIES, REMIXES & NEW MIXES
Ghost Rider (New 2024 version featuring Jim Thirlwell)
Martin (The Hacker Remix)
It’s A Mug’s Game (Dave Ball 2018 Re-Eq Version)
Where The Heart Is (The Grid Remix)
Baby Doll (Nightwreckers Remix)
Barriers (Dave Ball Broken Down Angels Mix)
Martin (Dave Ball Halloween Mix)
Where The Heart Is (Marcas Lancaster Remix)
The Art Of Falling Apart (Atomizer Remix)
Barriers (Dark Poets Remix)
Heat (Yer Man Remix)
Martin (Nightwreckers Remix)
CD4 – THE ART OF FALLING APART (DEMOS & LIVE TV APPEARANCES)
Forever The Same
Where The Heart Is
Numbers
Heat
Kitchen Sink Drama
Baby Doll
Loving You, Hating Me
The Art Of Falling Apart
Numbers (Live on BBC ORS, 14/1/83)
Heat (Live on BBC ORS, 14/1/83)
Ghost Rider (Live on CH4 The Switch)
Numbers 7″ (DJ Version)
Heat (US Single Edit)
Baby Doll (Dave Ball Dub Version)
Numbers (Dave Ball Dub Version)
Barriers (Dave Ball Dub Version)
CD5 – THE ART OF FALLING APART (INSTRUMENTALS & DUBS)
Forever The Same (Instrumental Version)
Where The Heart Is (Instrumental Version)
Numbers (Instrumental Version)
Heat (Instrumental Version)
Kitchen Sink Drama (Instrumental Version)
Baby Doll (Instrumental Version)
Loving You, Hating Me (Instrumental Version)
The Art Of Falling Apart (Instrumental Version)
It’s a Mugs’ Game (12″ Instrumental)
Martin (Instrumental)
Hendrix Medley (Instrumental)
Barriers (Instrumental)
Ghost Rider (Original 1983 Backing Track)
CD6 – THE ART OF FALLING APART (LIVE IN LONDON 2018-2021 + MORE)
Forever The Same – Live At the 02 – 30th September 2018
Where The Heart Is – Live at The o2 – 30th September 2018
Numbers – Live At the 02 – 30th September 2018
Heat – Live At the 02 – 30th September 2018
Kitchen Sink Drama – Live in Hammersmith, 2021
Baby Doll – Live At the 02 – 30th September 2018
Loving You, Hating Me – Live At the 02 – 30th September 2018
The Art Of Falling Apart – Live At the 02 – 30th September 2018
Martin – Live At the 02 – 30th September 2018
Barriers – Live at The O2, 2018
Hey Joe/Purple Haze – Live in USA, 1983
It’s A Mug’s Game – Live at Hammersmith Palais, 1983
Ghost Rider – Live at Hammersmith Palais, 1983
Numbers – Live at Hammersmith Palais, 1983

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 4 September 2025 15:46 (nine months ago)

I don't know that we needed it, but I appreciate the fact that they and Thirlwell thought: "what we need is to record Ghost Rider again"

― Doctor Madame Frances Experimento, LLC", Friday, 5 September 2025 13:50 (nine months ago)

one month passes...

Ah damn. Farewell, Dave.

https://www.softcell.co.uk/dave-ball-tribute

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 23 October 2025 13:12 (seven months ago)

Immortal JUST for that opening to “Tainted Love” forever but when you consider all the work, wow what a genius and perfect foil.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 23 October 2025 13:15 (seven months ago)

Just as a reissue of The Art of Falling Apart looms too.

― The Luda of Suburbia (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 23 October 2025 13:15 (seven months ago)

Oh no way, don't believe it.

― Webinar in Wetherspoons (Tom D.), Thursday, 23 October 2025 13:16 (seven months ago)

New album next year too. It’ll be a valediction.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 23 October 2025 13:16 (seven months ago)

Heartbroken

― completely suited to the horny decadence (Capitaine Jay Vee), Thursday, 23 October 2025 13:26 (seven months ago)

Marc Almond’s full message is worth the read.

https://www.facebook.com/100044175322220/posts/1366794434803054/

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 23 October 2025 13:28 (seven months ago)

Also some words from his partner in The Grid, Richard Norris:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Fs7pnQjVz/

― groovypanda, Thursday, 23 October 2025 15:26 (seven months ago)

Lovely Bob Stanley post:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/goodbye-dave-141888745

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 23 October 2025 17:23 (seven months ago)

the Bedsitter bassline that sounded like Duane Eddy with a Korg

yes, otm!

― The Luda of Suburbia (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 23 October 2025 17:43 (seven months ago)

I watched the Non Stop Exotic Video Show for the first time in over 30 years (found on youtube)... Are there any earlier examples of a band making videos for every song on their album and putting it out on vhs?

― Kim Kimberly, Saturday, 1 November 2025 15:55 (seven months ago)

"Eat to the Beat" Blondie

― Mark G, Sunday, 2 November 2025 22:42 (seven months ago)

Thanks!

Blondie's first video album got produced in conjunction with this record, featuring a music video for each of the album's 12 songs. It was the first such project ever in rock music.[8]

― Kim Kimberly, Sunday, 2 November 2025 23:51 (seven months ago)

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