bauhaus -- in the flat field: classic or dud?

"Few debut albums ever arrived so nearly perfectly formed; that Field practically single-handedly invented what remains for many as the stereotype of goth music -- wracked, at times spindly vocals about despair and desolation of many kinds, sung over mysterious and moody music -- demonstrates the sui generis power of both the band and its work. This said, perhaps the best thing about Field isn't what it's supposed to sound like, but what it actually does -- an awesomely powerful, glam-inspired rock band firing on all fours, capable of restraint and complete overdrive both, with by a charismatic, storming frontman. Starting with the challenging angst of "Double Dare," with shattering guitar over a curious but fierce stop-start rhythm while Murphy rages ever more strongly over the top, Field contains a wide range of inspirations and ideas. The astonishingly precise rhythm section of David J and Haskins pulls off a variety of jaw-dropping performances, including the high-paced tension of the title track and the brooding crawl from "Spy in the Cab." Ash, much like his longtime hero Mick Ronson, turns out to be a master of turning relatively simple guitar parts into apocalyptic explosions, from the background fills on "St. Vitus Dance" to the brutal descending chords of "Stigmata Martyr." Murphy, meanwhile, channels as much Iggy Pop as he does Bowie, proving to be no simple copyist of either, able to both maniacally sing-shout and take a somewhat lighter touch throughout; if some lyrics seem tortuously ill-thought-out, Murphy's sense of performance often saves them. Concluding with the seven-minute "Nerves," an aptly titled piece that alternates between understated energy and unleashed power toward a dramatic ending, Field started off Bauhaus' album career with a near-perfect bang. The CD version contains many worthy bonus tracks from contemporaneous singles, including the storming rage of "Dark Entries," a brisk cover of Marc Bolan's "Telegram Sam," and the bitter, perversely beautiful "Crowds," a waspish, cabaret-like rant against fickle audiences. The long-belated American issue includes one further track, a version of "Terror Couple Kill Colonel" with a notably distorted vocal from Murphy."

What, you expected me to trash an album I know by heart? I don't think so! ;-)

They were taken out when the pub changed hands. The pub became much more popular. Perhaps it was this, perhaps it was the renaming (the R&C name existed primarily to confuse customers of its rival nearest pub - the Rat and Parrot), or if it was some other reason we don't know. It remains that the pub became more popular.

Of. Bauhaus were rubbish too.

Alex, I don't think you're a homo, for what it's worth....I have suspicions that you may be Polish, however.

SURVEY SEZ: C

Also, the cock on the cover is fine by me. Doesn't anyone remember the Greeks and Romans?

Someone should have kicked that frat guy's ass, Alex.

Hmmmm. Alex In NYC in a pink feather boa, eh?

I bet the sight of that could turn a boy's head....

.... or do I mean stomach?

right now, at this moment, "Stigmata Martyr" is the best song ever.

I was just thinking about Bauhaus at work today for no reason! Not any particular song, either.

I ought to pull out that first album, it's a real head trip.

Confession: I stole the inside sleeve for that record from the radio station I DJ'd at because it had lyrics and pictures and my copy didn't!

one of the greatest intros to an album ever. so fucking massive. that bass!

Am I missing much if I've got the 2 best-of volumes, the BBC sessions and the live reunion album?

you need every studio album.

What Scott said.

Re: opening bass. First full-on Bauhaus reunion show, 1998 -- lights out, screams start, THE BASS KICKS IN. And it was amazing.

Mr. Odd I just wrote you an email (unrelated to this thread). I think we're ready for AIM, are you out there?

And yes you need every studio album.

AAAAAAH! It just occured to me I want to hear King Volcano right now!

I have it on vinyl! YESSSSSSSS

burning from the inside. on acid. 1984. a truly memorable moment. what an album.

There you go! My friends played me Led Zeppelin on acid, not the same thing! :)

"I will climb this high wall in remembrance of clancy"
You know - it's the one where he mentions the "slits in the green locker doors"..."Of Lillies & Remains" that's it - I feel sorry for people that hadn't had the chance to experience this band in high school, because high school = locker doors, dude. Adults ain't even got it cornered in that respect, gym membership or not.

But yet we are getting off topic now, this thread is about the FIRST album, and I promise to turn my attention to it presently. I discovered it at about the same time as Siouxsie's "Join Hands" album if I recall correctly.

Of COURSE I am drunk. But what are you?

But look I've already discussed this on my poor excuse for a blog. I want to be a proper goth at the age of 36. It's not too late. I may have a balding head, but I can still paint my nails black. I haven't dressed all in black for years. I want to do it now. I can get a black hat and a new pair of glasses with black frames. I must feel and be the goth within. And then I shall take a picture by the full moon. I just want to be a proper goth for once in my life, however briefly.

Bless you Bimble :D

Thanks Trayce, you have saved me tonight for I cannot seem to find anyone to chat with, even my long-time friend is in Spain right now so I can't call him though I tried.

I don't even see that you are messenger enabled at this juncture. Oh well. I shall survive. For I have pulled out the first Smiths album and I have seen the light and am happy again. I'm going to play the whole fucking thing and no one can stop me.

Hoos said he was going to be drinking in about 45 min which could be 15 min from now but that's all I know.

Right, this is a bloody Bauhaus thread and don't think I've fucking forgotten, you wankers.

"Into my filing cabinet/hemispheres spurn"

Great, great album. Despite about 25 years of critical ridicule, I think ALL their work really stands up.

Take a look it soon hath slithered

renunciation clad

ideal remembered in stone aloud

The mass production profile...

he's a god.

NOW I AM SILLY

Silly

The spy in the cab.

Into my filing cabinet hemispheres spurn

Cerebral fix etc.

Was the cerebral fix here the source for the band name?

Not sure what's on where by the band and i think my favourite track by them is Lagartija Nick which was singles only until it was compiled as such.
But yeah they do seem to have a number more dimensions than one might at first assume, tinges of things like reggae, funk and psychedelia cropping up in places quite effectively.
Peter Murphy could be a major dick at times, not sure if that has crept in by this point but do remember reading interviews with him more recently that just left me thinking pompous pretentious dickhead.

But as lps go I think this is probably quite decent. I think it's Mask that I have the box set version of though

what kidn of dumb question is this thread title?