RAMMSTEIN - DU HAST

Rammstein's first hit in America was this delightful little single.  It heralded their biggest success in the 90's.  Compared to how well they've done on the international stage, both this single and album can't compare to their larger volume of work.  However, as far as US audiences are concerned, I'm pretty sure this is the pinnacle of the band's fame.

This version of the single features 4 tracks.  The first is the single version of 'Du Hast'.  It's an edit of the album full length version.  It's followed by the full album version of 'Buck Dich'.  So right there you have the main song and a b-side.  Excellent work.  The last two tracks are mixes.  The first is a remix by Jacob Hellner.  Using some strange electronic distortions, Hellner generates a new rhythm track and creates a deeper industrial version of the song.  The second remix is by Clawfinger and although it initially seems like it's going to be a more techno remix, it devolves into a harder rock version of the song.  Although I like both mixes, neither does the song justice.  'Du Hast' is just too powerful on its own.

Like most European singles, it comes housed in a slim case and like most Rammstein singles, I'm happy with the content and feel like I got my money's worth.  My final words:  BREAKTHROUGH SINGLE FROM A BREAKTHROUGH BAND!

RAMMSTEIN - DU HAST
01. Du Hast (Single Version)
02. Buck Dich (Album Version)
03. Du Hast (Jacob Hellner Remix)
04. Du Hast (Clawfinger Remix)

ERASURE - "ERASURE"

This is the self-titled 1995 album by 80's band, Erasure.  For those of you who aren't in the know, Erasure are a duo consisting of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke (of Yazoo and Depeche Mode fame).  They enjoyed a great deal of success with their previous albums but this one was a bit of a dark horse.  

Up to this point, Erasure were most notable for great pop music.  They were the undisputed masters of the 3 minute hit single.  With amazing hooks and catchy lyrics easy to sing along with, they were an established band with a loyal following.  

But something changed with this record.

After this album came out, Vince Clarke started doing side projects like The Clarke/Ware Experiment where he developed soundscapes rather than pop songs and we see the origin of that happening here.  Some of the songs on this album have long synth solos and complicated motifs playing under the main vocals.  To call the record challenging would be a fair assessment.  If I'm not mistaken, this album started a slide in album sales for the band.  This is the first record in a long time that failed to make #1 in the UK.

The disc is obviously experimental and was the band's attempt to break out of the musical confines they found themselves in.  This can either be a good or a bad thing depending on the result.  I love groups who challenge themselves, but like most critics and fans, when it doesn't work out, I can't hide my disappointment.  "Erasure" is a little harder to judge.  It doesn't exactly succeed and it doesn't fail.  I'm not sure it broadened the palate of Erasure fans, but at the same time, it did in many ways expand what they would expect in the future from the band.

One thing is certain, Clarke and Bell are an amazing song writing team and they compose music that is simply joyful.  This album is no exception.  The infectious hooks and sing along melodies are all present.  It's the longer song times that initially hold you back from getting too caught up.  But in even this regard, Clarke seemed prepared.  They would extend the songs with trance-like beats and qualities that make the tracks seem almost religiously zen.  Take 'Sono Luminous' for example...  After the main body of the song ends around 5 minutes you still have a three minute slow fade out that ends with Bell singing acapella in a gospel style.

The very next track, 'Fingers & Thumbs (Cold Summer's Day)' delivers another long fade out.  This one lasts around two minutes and appears in the middle of the song.  'Rock Me Gently' is the most egregious example of these soundscape solos.  Clocking in around 10 minutes, over half this song is a synth trance solo. 

These songs are all mid-tempo with nothing really breaking the dance barrier.  Another reason fans might not like the disc.  

The first time I heard this album, I wasn't sure what to make of it.  I sorta thought it would grow on me the way the Pet Shop Boys album "Bilingual" did, but unfortunately, it hasn't.  I still like the music.  I'm especially partial to the singles from this album.  The edited versions of songs are more enjoyable and some of the b-sides during this time are outstanding.  I love them!

But the truth is, this might be the last Erasure disc I'll pull from my shelf to listen to.  I almost always listen to it only when I'm on an Erasure kick and I work my way through their records.  Still, it's so much better than a lot of the stuff coming out during that period of time.

My final words:  AN EXPERIMENTAL CHOICE FROM A POPULAR GROUP!

ERASURE - "ERASURE"
01. Intro: Guess I'm Into Feeling
02. Rescue Me
03. Sono Luminous
04. Fingers & Thumbs (Cold Summer's Day)
05. Rock Me Gently
06. Grace
07. Stay With Me
08. Love The Way You Do So
09. Angel
10. I Love You
11. A Long Goodbye

SOFT CELL-MARC ALMOND - TAINTED LOVE

Marc Almond's rise to fame is largely due to Soft Cell and this track.  He went on to become a famous solo artist.  I just recently heard a segment on BBC Radio Documentary series where he traveled to Russia to learn more about a famous gay Russian singer who was plunged into obscurity because of his sexuality.  So he's still around and working.

Soft Cell are a group I've always liked but I've never picked up their album.  I really should.  I like a lot of the songs on it.  Even if they're considered a one hit wonder.  I still like them.

This is an interesting single because it was released in order to promote a new Marc Almond CD rather than Soft Cell.  He used it to capitalize on the success of Soft Cell to promote his own solo project, "Memorabilia".  There are 3 tracks on the disc.  The first is a new remix of 'Tainted Love'.  The second is a 12" version of a new song called, 'Where The Heart Is' and the final track is the original 12" version of 'Tainted Love' which is basically an extended version of the song.

Housed in a Euro slim case, I think this is a pretty good release.  Of course it might not matter so much if I had the corresponding albums, but I don't so it's very relevant to me.  I'm glad I at least have this but I'd like to have more.  My final words:  A GREAT SINGLE TO SUPPORT A GREAT SONG!

SOFT CELL-MARC ALMOND - TAINTED LOVE
01. Tainted Love '91 (7")
02. Where The Heart Is (12")
03. Tainted Love (Original 12" Version)

RAMMSTEIN - SONNE

This is a single from Rammstein's album "Mutter".  It's a great single for a couple reasons...  First, it has a b-side!  You heard me right.  The first track is essentially the album version of the song, but the second track is 'Adios'.  Now before you get too carried away, let me point out, 'Adios' does come from the album as well, but it's still nice to break up the mixes with another track and these two compliment each other rather well.  I'm not being too picky today whether or not the b-side is a non-album track or not.  I'm just enjoying the fact it's there.

Second, it has mixes.  Tracks 3 and 4 are remixes by the Swedish band, Clawfinger.  The first features deep metal drumming and harder power chords.  The second uses a jungle beat for the remix and relies on lower keyboard tones in place of the guitar power chords.  The final track is an instrumental version of the song.

I quite enjoy singles by Rammstein.  I think they pack a lot in these mini albums and I've never found one I thought was a total waste of money.

My final words:  ANOTHER EXCELLENT SINGLE FROM GERMANY'S PREMIER METAL BAND!

RAMMSTEIN - SONNE

01. Sonne

02. Adios

03. Sonne (Clawfinger K.O. Remix)

04. Sonne (Clawfinger T.K.O. Remix)

05. Sonne (Instrumental)

DEPECHE MODE - A PAIN THAT I'M USED TO

This is the first disc in a two disc set for the single, "A Pain That I'm Used To".  It features two tracks.  The first is the album version of 'A Pain That I'm Used To' and the second is a b-side song not on the album called 'Newborn'.

Since this release is so basic, I'll discuss the songs a little more in depth.  I really like 'A Pain That I'm Used To'.  I think it's a great song.  I'm not as impressed with the distortion sounds used at the first and throughout.  They started using forms of distortion in tracks right around 1992-93 when they released 'I Feel You'.  Granted, the sounds are used to emphasize the meaning of the song, but it ends up being more of a distraction.  In general, I love the tune and the meaning.  I think the lyrics are lovely.

'Newborn' is a much slower number.  It features a quieter distortion white noise sound like an ambient wind rushing.  When the drums start, it feels like a heartbeat.  The song is about falling in love and feeling like life is starting over.  Love transforms him into a newborn and everything becomes new again.  It reminds me of their older material from the early 80's and I'm actually glad they're doing stuff like this again.

My final words:  AN EXCELLENT SINGLE!  I WANT EVERYTHING I CAN GET MY HANDS ON FROM THIS RECORD.  AMAZING PERIOD OF TIME FROM DM.

DEPECHE MODE - A PAIN THAT I'M USED TO
01. A Pain That I'm Used To
02. Newborn

LORDS OF ACID - ROUGH SEX

This is a single from the first Lords Of Acid album, "Lust".  When this disc came out, it was legendary.  It changed electronic music.  I still actually like the record even though the sound hasn't survived well over time.  Many people consider this music as novelty and don't take it seriously.  And let's be honest, I don't think it was intended to be anything more than a gimmick.  But the music was amazing and it was fun to cut loose and let your inhibitions down.  This music was all about freedom.

The first three tracks on the single were mixed by Joey Beltram.  The first mix is an instrumental version of 'Rough Sex' with some aggressive drum programming and none of the slow bits.  The second mix is a vocal version of the song with some differences.  It's a more updated sound, but essentially the same as the album track.  The third mix is the second track over without the vocals.

The second two mixes are of the track, 'Take Control'.  They're both remixed by MNO; who if I'm not mistaken is another pseudonym for Praga Khan and Oliver Adams.  The first version is a remix and it's a high energy version of the song while the second is simply an instrumental version of the album track.

It's fun to have these singles because they're so unusual and rare to find.  I have it purely for the sake of collecting even though I haven't collected anything the Lords have done for years.  I used to really love this group.  My final words:  A FUN SINGLE WITH MIXES GALORE!

LORDS OF ACID - ROUGH SEX
01. Rough Sex (Beltram Whip Mix)
02. Rough Sex (Beltram Bondage Mix)
03. Rough Sex (Beltram Dirty Dub)
04. Take Control (Remix)
05. Take Control (Instrumental)

SHINEDOWN - US AND THEM

This was a CD my baby sister, Annie gave me a few years before she died.  She wanted me to listen to it because she thought I would like it.  I kept it around but never played it.  When she was gone, I listened to it non-stop for days.  Even now, when I listen to this record, I think of her and it breaks my heart.

Shinedown aren't a band I'd heard of prior to Annie's suggestion.  I see them around now on friends' Facebook feeds or sometimes people discuss them when we talk about music.  But for me, they were a virtual unknown.  They sorta fit a genre of music I dabbled in, but never fully embraced.

Shinedown wear their influences on their shirt sleeves the way some people wear their hearts.  They obviously came up in the 90's when Grunge was a huge movement.  I wouldn't lump them in that category though, because they sound more like bands that happened afterward.  It's in the way the lead singer arranges his vocals.  There are moments when I feel like I'm listening to The Smashing Pumpkins and at other times, Soundgarden.  The music is generally aggressive and more rock than anything.  They're definitely more of a straightforward rock outfit.

I usually put the disc in and let it play, but there is one song I will listen to over and over.  The last track on the album is called 'Some Day' and although it's not about my sister, it feels like it is.  For me, the song is about the distance between two people.  The space between life and death.  Not being able to see her, talk to her or listen to her.  I don't know how else to describe what's become such an internalized and personal song.  It's a tune that captures something inside of me and transforms into an essential part of how I view certain memories and feelings.  For me, it's a part of what remains of her around me.  In both my heart and mind, I feel her in the sound.  This music was her favorite.  

And you hear her in it.

My final words:  A GREAT ALBUM WITH DEEP PERSONAL MEANING.

SHINEDOWN - US AND THEM
01. The Dream
02. Heroes
03. Save Me
04. I Dare You
05. Yer Majesty
06. Beyond The Sun
07. Trade Yourself In
08. Lady So Divine
09. Shed Some Light
10. Begin Again
11. Atmosphere
12. Fake
13. Some Day