BAUHAUS & HOUSE
Bernard Sumner’s last project, Bad Lieutenant, released Never Cry Another Tear in 2009. Fans of New Order’s last album (Waiting For The Sirens’ Call) may like it. It is very melodic but mainly acoustic. This seems a shame, because Bernard Sumner really excels when he is working with synthesizers – as evidenced on most of New Order’s output and Bernard’s side-project (Electronic). The production on Never Cry Another Tear is top-notch, but the actual songs are unremarkable (apart from Summer Days, which is my personal favourite). They lack the excitement and innovation normally associated with New Order’s singer/songwriter (now in his mid-fifties).
Bernard Sumner worked with Karl Bartos (ex-Kraftwerk) in 1996. The collaboration should’ve yielded amazing results. Sadly, Raise The Pressure was Electronic’s weakest album. For those who like it, Karl Bartos’ solo album (Communication) is worth finding. There are no surprises here. Kraftwerk may have invented synth-pop and inspired countless musicians, but the German band was a spent force by 1986. There has only been one Kraftwerk album since then (and it wasn’t particularly impressive). Even the most innovative bands eventually run out of ideas (or just become complacent). Very few of them improve with age (see also Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV0X6zJaL4M
The first Basement Jaxx album (Remedy) was great fun. With the spirit of Prince, the London-based duo partied like it was 1999. Well, it was 1999. The follow-up (Rooty) was just as good. Basement Jaxx gave Jamiroquai and Moloko a kick up the backside, with funky house music guaranteed to have crowds of people dancing (at clubs, concerts and festivals). Kish Kash, the third album, was a bit over the top. It was starting to get a bit much (more of the same but less enjoyable). Since the singles collection, there have been two more ‘proper’ albums. I bought Crazy Itch Radio and instantly regretted it. It is awful. I haven’t heard Scars. Raindrops (the lead single) is excellent but I have doubts about rest of the album.
I owned all of the Bauhaus albums, when I was a teenager. However, there is now only one Bauhaus CD in my collection. Crackle (the definitive singles collection) is all you really need. It contains the UK gothic band’s best songs (eg. She’s In Parties, Double Dare, In The Flat Field, Bela Lugosi’s Dead and much more). Prior to Crackle, the singles collection was split over two separate CDs. You’ll struggle to find those volumes now though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e8TGVMYfxk&feature=related
The Beastie Boys’ Anthology is another rarity. If you just want the ‘best of’ collection, go for Solid Gold Hits. I personally prefer Anthology: The Sounds Of Science. It is a double-disc set which includes over forty songs (singles and album tracks). Apart from The Mix-up, Beastie Boys only released one album since Anthology (To The 5 Boroughs; one of the best). The long-awaited Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 was finally released last year (part one has been delayed indefinitely). Sadly, Adam Yauch died from cancer last month.
The Beloved showed promise in 1989. The debut album (Happiness) sounded fresh and exciting. Inspired by New Order and the acid-house scene, Jon Marsh and his wife made accessible and euphoric dance music. There was an adequate remix album, the following year. The cracks were already beginning to appear by 1993 though (Conscience was mediocre). The third and last album (X) was released in 1996. Nobody noticed. Single File marked the end of The Beloved, with an industry standard remix of The Sun Rising. Jon Marsh made a few remixes and continues trying to make music. Judging by the crap he has posted on his Myspace page, I’ll be very surprised if he makes a comeback.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEMWhDU5F7E
Finally, Joey Beltram was one of the first heavyweights of underground techno. He produced enough material to have a ‘best of’ collection. It is the only Joey Beltram CD I own – and the only one I’ll ever need. When I’m in the mood for some pounding rhythms and interesting (but dated) techno sounds, I may occasionally reach for Classics. I don’t listen to techno very often though.
Further listening
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj6hMQ8WfZk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkHFQEGD6Lo
Enjoyed Dracula’s Castle and ‘Nacho Libre’s’ Rendez Vu.
Maybe they should get together, combine these two? A spoof on Mexico’s drug war – Mexican wrestlers as a drug cartel fighting Vlad the Impaler (Count Dracula). Awesome late night grindhouse flick, yes?
P.S.: Vlad the Impaler could be played by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, though he had nothing to do with any of those Russian reporters meeting unseemly ends over the years.