Customer Reviews

Martin Rev

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

 

 

Half of this release consists of extra tracks; tracks one through six comprise Rev's solo debut on Charles Ball's Lust/Unlust label. The rest were recorded quite some time afterward - - after his second solo release, CLOUDS OF GLORY, in fact. Guess you could say this is really Rev's first and third album. As these extra tracks were recorded with Ball, this is really a compilation of Rev's work with him. Not surprisingly, much of it sounds a lot like Suicide; the one vocal track reveals Rev to be a huskier version of his partner Alan Vega. But there's a lot of variety here - - from the melodic toybox of the opener, 'Mari', to the clanking soundscape of 'Nineteen 86' and pretty much everything between. 'Coal Train' matches 'Mari' in its subversive, dark catchiness while the doowop-tinged 'Daydreams' (think particularly The Clovers, 'Devil Or Angel') echoes some of Rev's Suicide work. And the lenghty 'Marvel' is waves on waves of synthetic melody washes that would not be out of place on a Krautrock sampler. Great, startling stuff.

Martin Rev(Suicide) is one of America's original electronic producers. This album is a re-issue of his debut solo album from 1980....if you can beleive that. This guy has influenced a wide range of artists like Cabaret Voltaire, the Orb, Depeche Mode, New Order, Colorform, etc. The difference between this album and other early electronic releases is that this album holds up to todays standards....in fact better than most new albums. The bonus cuts are excellent...especially Coal Train.

It was good release..regardless of Mr. Ball's reasons for dismissing it. I had the LP when it first came out. I was around 18 and doing a lot of psycadelics at the time. not a suggestion by any means but the album worked..that's all I'm going to say. I will say it doesn't hold up many years later...it just sounds like stuff I've done on my KORG and a few contact mics....

I produced this album; all the selections from 1979 and 1991.
I am proud of my substantial contributions, but must insist you pass this edition by -- it is truly an inferior creation relying on unfinished cassette work tapes (not even early mixes, nor virtually finished takes of which there are many!)
I have not been paid for these (inferior) sessions and will probably never be. Rev has had ample opportunity to be honorable and has shown he is not. Forget this release and go buy yourself some Kraftwerk or such. Believe me, Martin Rev is such an egomaniac he has no compunctions ripping you, the customer, off. Truly a disgraceful performance and product!