Customer Reviews

Bauhaus Singles: 1979-1983, Volume 1

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Okay, the inevitable adjective that comes up when discussing this band is "Gothic," since they practically invented the genre. And for (so called) "serious" music fans, the gothic lable automatically gives most bands a credibility rating somewhere just above Satan/hair metal. I'm convinced this is the reason the Bauhaus are never mentioned on great and/or influential artist lists. Which is too bad, 'cos they most definitely are great and influential. Peter Murphy's imposing baritone is one of the most distinctive voices in rock (really, try to think of someone else that sounds like him!) and Daniel Ash is/was one of the most innovative guitarists. Combine that with the tight and inventive rhythm section, and you've got one great art/punk band, that should be routinely be mentioned in the same breath with groups like Birthday Party and Gang of Four. This is seriously intense music-- early stuff like "Double Dare" and "Dark Entries" is blacker than Black Sabbath -- and at times seriously bizarre. Murphy, like his spiritual forefather Jim Morrison, realized he was treading a dangerous path that could easily lead to ridicule and parody, so he diffused the situation himself by singing intentionally hilarious and silly lyrics. Fans of evil, hard rock, inventive arrangements, superb and innovative musicianship, and just plain weirdness have to check out this group.

Bauhaus is a band that any music expert or historian has to know. Their dark, vibrant art-rock was crucial to the progression of post-punk, and many credit them with starting Goth; the band cannot be contained in that bucket but some songs definitely were. They spawned legions of followers and their influence can still be felt today. Bauhaus basically made 2 types of songs. 1 set was a charged-up, highly inventive and intelligent form of punk featuring short, direct jams with off-the-wall lyrics delivered in Peter Murphy's frantic style - think Bowie doing Sex Pistols or Stooges covers. "God in an Alcove", "Telegram Sam", "Dancing" and "St. Vitus Dance" fit into this category. The other grouping, and likely the set they are more known for, is comprised of dark, brooding songs of despair and alienation; obviously this is where the Goth rep comes in. "Dark Entries", "Bela Lugosi's Dead", "Spy in the Cab" and "Passion of Lovers" fit in this group. "BLD" was a massive underground club hit in the early 80's - it by itself created an entire subculture.

Is this collection the best launching point for a newcomer? Who's to say? There are so many Bauhaus compilations out there that you could make any number of arguments. I think it's a very good place to start, as it is slightly more accessible than Volume 2, which has a generally bleaker feel. Personally I prefer Volume 2 but then again I'm a long-time fan. "Crackle" would be a good alternative starting point, or perhaps the 80's comp "Swing the Heartache" - the track listing is similar to this disc. If you can spend the dough, I'd say just get both V1 & V2 and be done with it. If you like these then you can consider getting the studio albums. It can be hard starting with the studio albums unless you really know the group; they are quite strange and don't always feature many of the singles - they are excellent once you are used to their sound. Bauhaus was odd in that way. The group only made 4 studio albums but the number of singles and comps would make you think there were like 10 of them. Even we big fans often listen to Bauhaus through compilations; it's an easier way to get most of the songs in 1 place. Much of their stuff was released only on now hard-to-find vinyl singles and old 7" releases. The studio albums are great and they complete the collection but may not be the best starting point.

lots of people say this band started goth but don't buy into all that without hearing this band for yourself. i remember as a kid seeing reading Thrasher magazine and seeing skaters wearing Bauhaus t-shirts. well, that was enough for me to go check them out. i bought "Bela Legosi's Dead" on cassette and played it endlessly. i played it endlessly not because i liked it; but because i couldn't understand it and i had to keep listening again and again. eventually, it all started to sink in...the rhythms, the mood, the strange numbness of it all.
and on this Singles collection, sure...there are elments of goth within these songs. but personally, i think peter murphy and company were channeling more of the spirit of glam rock of the 70's and giving it their own dark spin (especially later in their career). lots of these songs seem very punk to me also...just look at the intensity of "Passion of Lovers" or the screaming mad psychosis of "Double Dare." just listen to the way the bass just drives everything home and the guitar just sort of splashes and dances around the skeletal frame of it all. truly great stuff...but not for everyone.i would compare them to a more sinister Joy Division. so if that sounds up your alley, by all means, get this album.
Bauhaus stands out as a truly interesting and massively inspirational band that carved out an outstanding legacy and a back catalog worth seeking out.

For those who recently discovered the often-overlooked and amazing music of Bauhaus, this is the place to strat, definitely. It's a retrospective of the band's greates songs, basically from 1978-1981. The opening distorted bass notes of Double Dare is an electrifying start to this collection of music, and from there you're attention is captured.

Peter Murphy's vocals were unique, from a low-register monotone in the group's signature song "Bela Lugosi's Dead" (from a live album which is far superior to the original 1978 version), to frantic in "Stigmata Martyr," to melodic in "Spy In The Cab." Daniel Ash's guitar work was also uniquye and rather visionary. They also had one of the greates rhythm sections ever, conmprised of David J on bass and Daniel Haskins on percussion.

It may be classified as gothic, but that's irrelevant. I actually go against the gothic stereotype, especially fake goths, but the music on this collection are enriching and I feel somewhat complete with it blarining its sinister, dark and visceral tones throughout my stereo speakers. Most "best of" collections are awful in representing an artist, especially those that are commercialized, but this one gives the listener a perfect view of the spectrum of Bauhaus' rather brief career.

Bauhaus is one of those bands. They don't have a massive catalogue of songs, but what they do have is excellent. Yes, Bauhaus was one of the first and best goth bands, but there's a lot more here. They definitely have a punk sound on a lot of songs, and there are elements of progressive rock as well.

The opening track "Double Dare" is okay but not a great opener. "In the Flat Field" is one of the best songs, "Dark Entries" is excellent. The singles "Bela Lugosi's Dead" and "Terror Couple Kill Colonel" are great too. The best song on the album, in my opinion, is "St. Vitus Dance."

Singles: 1979-1983, Volume 1 is a great album. I think it's an album that everybody should at the very least listen to.

Being an acquired taste, Bauhaus is best introduced to the newcomer through a Best Of collection. And this is the superior compilation by far from this pioneering goth band as it contains all of their early classics, including rare singles and a great choice of tracks from the first two albums In The Flat Field and Mask.

My personal favorites are the deranged Stigmata Martyr with its scary Latin recitation, St. Vitus Danse, A God In An Alcove and The Passion Of Lovers plus the early singles Telegram Sam, (their tribute to Marc Bolan of T. Rex) and this live version of the legendary Bela Lugosi's Dead. Other great moments are Spy In The Cab, Terror Couple Kill Colonel and Hair Of The Dog.

Inspired by The Cure and The Banshees, Bauhaus were brave pioneers who chisseled out their own very distinctive sound and never compromised with commerciality. Their music remains inspiring albeit sometimes inaccessible, but always innovative. I would also like to recommend Peter Murphy's solo albums where he took the Bauhaus vision further, in a generally more melodic and accessible style.

The review has nothing to do with the actual music, which is great. Rather, it's the "best of" collection status. It's really a redundant waste. Just buy In the Flat Fields and The Mask, and you have all that's on this "Volume 1" and more. Maybe at the time, they weren't available on CD, but they are now. GET THE COOL ORIGINALS!

quite simply (in my opinion) a seminal "Goth" collection of tunes that laid the groundwork for what would come later through the unparalleled work of the incredible founding members of this band.

When these guys took the stage it became much more than rock, goth, punk, metal - though tangible elements of all of these pervade the work. Bauhaus broke new ground and took us to mysterious dimensions that cleared the doors of perception and left us transformed.

Go see Daniel Ash and Peter Murphy (as well as their cohorts) whenever you have the chance. It is as close as you will get to the magic.

This is also a perfect introduction to the Goth Rock genre. True Goth Rock that is, rather than "nu-metal" and synth pop that is often mislabled as such. This album contains the majority of their most important songs. Never comfortable using only a single style of songwriting, Bauhaus' music combines quite a variety of moods, textures, and shades. Up-beat and dancy at times, slow and dirgelike at others. Then there is the spastic and tribal side as well. The songs move from dismal, depressing and nightmarishly morbid, to artsy, bohemian and sometimes downright silly and playful. The music perfectly fits the image of the band as art school weirdos dressed in black, with pale skin and heavy eyeliner. The prototype "Goth" look. The concept of Bauhaus in art is put to music here. Less is more. Sometimes anti-art can be more art than art... if that makes sense. Back to the music... The David Bowie influence is everywhere. As is Black Sabbath, Adam & the Ants and T-Rex. (check out the totally convoluted version of Telegram Sam) This compilation contains some of the most powerful Gothic Rock anthems ever written, including the cacophanous Double Dare, In The Flat Field, Passion of Lovers, and the Goth equivalent to Stairway to Heaven, Bela Lugosi's Dead; a haunting tribute to the greatest Horror actor of them all. Perfect for Halloween with effects laden guitars making what sounds like "bat noises" and creaking coffin lids. In fact, the music itself is very much inspired by the immagery of early German Expressionism. Films like Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari come to mind often while listening. Most of the music on this disc is indescribable. It simply must be heard to be understood. This is not your typical rock affair. This is very experimental art-Punk and may be a bit too strange for those who are not familiar with anything other than "normal" rock and pop. Also the music tends to be on the dark and dreary side. We aren't talking about a toe tapping, uplifting, feelgood time here (although there is pleanty of strange off-beat humor involved) Let that serve as a warning. To those interested in artsy alternative, post punk, or if you've just become interested in Goth, I can't recommend this cd more vehemently. It's invaluable!

I'm a new Bauhaus fan and I love this cd! I knew about Bauhaus and their 'gothic' music but I've never heard their music before (shame on me) so I decided to give this 'best of' CD a chance. At first I didn't "get" their music. It was dark (duh), noisy, and lyrics were nonsense, but as I listen more and more, I started to get their music and now I have much respect for their musicianship. The same respect I give to people like John Lennon and David Bowie. I can't believe they were making this kind of music in the early 80's, it still sounds forward-looking. Underneath their dark make-ups and custumes, they are really talented musicians! Especially the way they arranged music, oh man, it's genius!

if you are new to Bauhaus like me, I defintely recommend this cd as your first stop. I'm gonna by Vol. 2 next.