Customer Reviews

In the Flat Field

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

 

 

A lot has already been said about this album, and I'm not likely to top it, but suffice it to say, In The Flat Field is one of the best debut albums ever, and for an album now nearly 30 years old, it still sounds so fresh and different. The extras included in this set are wonderful: several previously unreleased versions, most of which are every bit as good as their more well known counterparts. And the book and packaging are beautiful and well worth the price.

But don't go throwing out your single-disc edition, as there are a couple of things NOT included in this box set, namely being the single versions of Telegram Sam & Terror Couple Kill Colonel (Both available on the previously released single-disc version In the Flat Field).

For reference, because Amazon doesn't list the version names on disc two:

1 Dark Entries (Singles A Side - AD 3 [A])
2 A God In An Alcove (Original Version)
3 Untitled (Single B Side - AD 3 [B])
4 Terror Couple Kill Colonel (Original Beck Version) *
5 Telegram Sam (Original Beck Version) *
6 Terror Couple Kill Colonel (Single B Side - AD 7 [B])
7 Scopes (Single B Side - AD 7 [B])
8 Terror Couple Kill Colonel (Southern Mix #2) *
9 Crowds (Single B Side - AD 17T [B])
10 Dive (Out-Take / Alternative Mix) *
11 Spy In The Cab (Out-Take / Alternative Mix) *
12 Stigmata Martyr (Out-Take / Alternative Mix) *
13 Rosegarden Funeral Of Sores (Single B Side - AD 17T [B])
14 Double Dare (Alternative Verson / Mix #4) *
15 Telegram Sam (Alternative Mix #1) *
16 Untitled 2 *

* denotes previously unreleased tracks

This box is a great buy for anyone who doesn't already own _In the Flat Field_. For those who have the older editions, some points to note:

(1) The mastering on the new edition is only subtly different from the old -- there isn't a "night and day" difference, at least to my ears. "Double Dare" is a little less trebly, perhaps. Not a complaint (the new disc sounds fine), but don't pick this up just for the remastering.

(2) The bonus tracks are an interesting selection, but (as pointed out by a previous reviewer) they don't include the single A-side recordings of either "Terror Couple Kill Colonel" or "Telegram Sam". Personally, I think these would be of more interest to a new fan than the alternate mixes included here; for an old fan, they're a good reason to hang on to the previous CD edition of this album.

That said, this edition does a great job of providing context; the art and liner notes are excellent and do a good job of documenting just where Bauhaus were in 1980. I don't mean to put any buyers off this release -- just don't want them to be disappointed at the things they're *not* getting.

hello to all:

---Well about this disc is one of the best reedition set about a disc in fact not only the original and the singles discs are what its worth it to buy it, but in fact is the booklet thats makes this item one of the est complilation about a album.

Im a fan of bauhaus music not only this icon of gothic music also im fan of the side proyects of everyone of the members since peter murphy solo music, daniel ash, david j. and theirs bands togeder tones on tail, love and rockets (a big band)and also dali`s cars (a great disc) and this album has everything, music,photos and history to make a remembrance of the start of the band and all of the facts that the fan`s like but dont now.

I recomend this disc 100% and it`s worts the cost for bring all the way to Mexico

With all due respect to the previous reviewers, Toss your single disc edition in the dustbin! This edition is FAR superior and worth every extra penny I paid for it. I once owned the single disc edition and the sound quality was flat, trebly,muddy, and full of holes but the underrated re-mastering on this edition is worlds better and perfectly re-captures the atmospheric dark/art/noise that was Bauhaus.
As the previous reviewers note, the A-side single versions of "Telegram Sam" and "Terror Couple Kill Colonel" are missing from this edition but the Southern studio mixes of these songs, (tracks 15 and 8 respectively) are nearly identical,if not superior to, the official mixes. What's more, the alternate outtake of "Stigmata Martyr" on the second disc is better than the final album mix. I would have added the second BBC session to the disc also whose version of "St. Vitus Dance" is more concise (not to mention rawer) than its official version as well, but that's OK, I have "Swing the Heartache" as well. The booklet reads like an early fanzine and it really recaptures all that was best in this early period of the band's history. It also makes one forget the subsequent commercial deterioration the band underwent.
"In The Flat Field" remains the best Bauhaus album to date. Although "Mask" also has a spooky atmosphere,it lacks the raw, stripped down frenzy of its predecessor.
After that, the band's music went straight downhill.
"The Sky's Gone Out" is too commercial not to mention dull, tired and empty, "Burning From The Inside" sounds more like a Tones On Tail album, and "Go Away White" should just GO AWAY!
Although "Mask" is no slouch, by any means,v"In The Flat Field" will always be my favourite Bauhaus album. Both ITFF and the singles of that era remain the band's greatest songs. At long last, after nearly thirty years, these classics are given the sonic restoration they deserve! I have only two more words: BUY IT!!!!!