Customer Reviews

Everything

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4 star:		(7)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Tones On Tail was a project created by Daniel Ash in 1982 so that he could experiment with music that just wouldn't have worked well with his other band, Bauhaus. Either by accident or design, Bauhaus had crafted and developed a particular forte, and the stuff that Ash wrote for Tones just wouldn't have worked in the confining Bauhaus setting. And perhaps on top of that, Ash was interested in pursuing more pop-oriented avenues, which he was able to convincingly do in a fresh new outfit without having the stigma (and thus having to answer for) changing the direction of a credible, well-established act. In spite of their experimental nature, to have Bauhaus begin playing songs like "OK, This Is The Pops" would have probably done more harm than good, even though that song is awesome in its own right. In short, Tones On Tail was a fresh start for Ash, and there were no connotations concerning his musical direction with this endeavor. In Bauhaus, the sky had gone out... but here, the sky was the limit. Fittingly, we were being introduced to a completely new epoch that Daniel Ash never quite recovered from. After Bauhaus split, Tones became the priority, and he and Kevin Haskins forged ahead with this new sound. How exciting, then, that the spirit of this little experiment would continue on for so long, with the saga continuing on under a new name when David J rejoined his Bauhaus musical partners Ash and Haskins. When they regrouped (albeit without P. Murphy), they recorded "Ball Of Confusion", and those pop sensibilities continued on under the name of Love And Rockets. With this being the "middle ground" between Bauhaus and Love And Rockets, there are more than a few gems you'll appreciate, like "Burning Skies", "Movement Of Fear", Real Life", "Rain", and many more. In their own right, however, Tones On Tail did develop a pop sound that was independent from what you'd expect from Bauhaus or Love And Rockets. These are the tracks that could logically be seen as a direct influence on the new wave/dance pop that was so prevalent in the early to mid 80's. To have such a short life span, yet such a rich history of influence and importance, definitely makes Tones On Tail an indispensable listen even today. This release in particular is a wonderful find, because nothing has been left out... hence the title, eh?! Anyway, you should feel grateful about the comprehensiveness of "Everything!" because when I first got the Tones On Tail collection from Beggars Banquet many moons ago there were tons of tracks that had been left out, which bothered me a bit. And despite the fact that some of these have been remixed or updated, you can still enjoy the entire poppy, quirky, sometimes silly, sometimes moody discography in all its glory.

It's funny that some of the best moments of Bauhaus and Love & Rockets were actually recorded by Tones on Tail. At times ToT was an extension of its predecessor Bauhaus' dark, experimental atmospherics. Other times, they created catchy alt pop more in line with its successor L&R. Well I guess that means I should do a quick history lesson...

The experimental and brilliant post-punk, art-rock outfit Bauhaus consisted of Peter Murphy, a legendary figure in the mold of a dark apocalyptic Bowie, on vocals, Daniel Ash on guitar (and occasionally sax), David J on bass and Kevin Haskins on drums. Eventually they had their differences and Peter went on to his successful, excellent solo career, David left for Jazz Butcher, and Daniel & Kevin formed Tones on Tail enlisting Glenn Campling on bass. ToT broke up after a few years and reunited with David J to start Love & Rockets. OK - enough history.

Their best tracks are their deeper, richer tracks; these also happen to be their darker efforts. "Lions", "Christian Says", "Performance", "Rain" and "Burning Skies" are all heavy on texture and mood, utilizing minimalist rhythms and beats, simple but effective basslines and sweeping non-intrusive electronics. Ash, taking over for Murphy on vocals, uses his voice perfectly throughout never taking over the music the way Peter sometimes did. At these times, they may have done Bauhaus better than Bauhaus.

However, don't get the impression that ToT way always dark and brooding. On the contrary, they cranked out some of the most lighthearted, funny and catchy tunes of the era. "Go!" is infused with a straight-ahead punk attitude and an almost silly feel to it; it's become more famous recently due to use in a national ad campaign. Similarly "There's Only One" is direct and fun, accessible to anyone looking for a little dance romp. "OK This Is the Pops" falls into this vein as well.

Tones also put out a few strange, experimental efforts in the way that Bauhaus did. "Slender Fungus" is one such track. These pieces aren't always the easiest to jump right into, but for bands like this it was necessary to try some very wild ideas. They don't all work but it was important to try and it adds to the overall work of the band. Influential bands don't exist simply to churn out Top 40 songs now do they?

In sum, "Everything" (or "Night Music" depending which is easier to find) is an important album for anyone interested in the development of post-punk, alt 80's music, collectors of Love & Rockets and Bauhaus, or just those who want some great music.

Their only full lenght LP, "Pop" appears in it's entirety on Disk 1. Disc 2 contains ALL the songs that were released on the band's six (or so) singles and EP's. Disc 2 also includes the underground new-wave hit "Go!" AND a HIDDEN TRACK which is a superb interview with Daniel Ash (and Kevin Haskins at the end) in which he discusses the "recent" breakup of Bauahuas. This double CD is a "must-have" for that interview alone, but it also contains SIX songs which were previously unavailable on compact disc ("Now We Lustre," "A Bigger Splash," "Copper," "A Means of Escape," Performance 7 Inch Version," and "Shakes,") all other tracks have appeared either on the import cd "Night Music" or the domestic cd "Tones On Tail." All in all, you won't be disappointed.

I think that of all the incarnations of Mr. Ash and company, Tones on Tail was my favorite - and this coming from the world's biggest Peter Murphy fan. But if you really want EVERYTHING, then you need to pick up the CD single released in conjunction with this CD, entitled "Something". I had to contact Beggars Banquet in England to find a copy, but it includes a couple remixes that are a must-have for any collector. Ciao.

Having been a Bauhaus fan since the early 80's, like most others who have found their way to this review; this complete collection of all the songs released by TOT is nothing short of essential/superb. Having read the liner notes for the double album where Ash states that they wanted to make music without any clear definition and music that sounded like it was from Venus... I can safely say that they succeeded! The last Bauhaus album, Burning From the Inside, makes a beautiful companion or introduction to Tones on Tail.

Disc 1 is by far the most mellow of the two sides but it is a perfectly paced lead in to disc 2. Disc one has incredible moments of originality such as War, Lions, Happiness and Rain. Disc 2 has among my favourites Go!, Twist, Christian Says (Almost Bauhaus) and the utterly infectious "O.k This is the Pops" which is dance music for Vampires! The Hunger anyone?

There are so many other worldly excursions here by the three members of Tones that a review is never going to be enough. This is mood music, night music, and music for the sensually avant-garde. Infact this music is still so far ahead of anything happening today that it warrants listening by anyone and everyone desensitized by the 90's blandathon... yes there is a cure! (No pun intended there)

Get it and don't look back... (Radiohead eat your heart out)

There's no question that ToT is great, and that this disc *really is* just about everything they put out, but the "remastering" of many of these tracks is a big embarassment... "Twist" has painfully OBVIOUS digital distortion through the lead guitar parts, and for some reason someone decided to add a deep flange effect over the whole mix of "Pops" which just wrecks it if you know the original. I've tried to return mine to BB to no avail. Night Music may not have *everything* (including the interview which is really about the breakup of bauhaus and not ToT), but the quality is much, much better.

Tones On Tail was a real cool discovery for me. It is dark, clever pop with just the right dose of quirkiness tossed in for good measure. I liked this music a lot in the early 80's and I still enjoy it today.

Dont listen to the last reviewer, as his opinion is incorrect. This is not a collection of noise...this is real experimental music. I love the high pitched guitars with the mellow keys. This collection of all their music is essential to fans of dark brooding music. Best songs are "Christian Says" "Lions" "Ok, This is the Pops" they are all gooood. This is coming from a person who never got into Bauhaus...I dont like them! I think The Cure was way better. but thats beside the point. Tones on Tails, while brief, were excellent. nuff said

I can't stop listing to these two CD's! A friend told me about them. I didn't know Daniel Ash and Kevin Haskins were Tones on Tail. Heck, I didn't even know who Tones on Tail were! This is experimental music way ahead of it's time. A little jazz mixed in with a little goth, a little electronica, a little "weird pop". I was surprised that I actually knew the song "Go". It was one of the first great new wave songs to come out of the early 80's. Buy this double-cd set. I promise you won't be dissapointed.

There's a certain charm in collecting. You chase down all the vinyl, pick up the individual reissued CD's, and carefully organize all your treasures in chronological order on your glass fronted cabinet so that other collectors and admire your ebay and rummage sale skillz in putting together the complete record of your favorite bands.

Or maybe you're just a damn slacker like myself and you want everything together in one place. Yes, its everything. Its not cool but its efficient and if you don't feel like tracking down all the individual Tones On Tail releases, say halleluja and slap down your hard earned cash knowning that you might suck as a fan but you can listen to slender fungus any damn time you please.