Mesh and Lace (+ Bonus Tracks) [Import]

Modern English | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 22, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: 4ad Records UK
• ASIN: B00000728W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #155,569 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #81 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > New Wave

Editorial Reviews

The debut album by this overlooked 4AD outfit from Colchester in Essex. In many ways, Modern English helped to define the sound and image of that pioneering label; while admittedly pretentious at times, they were also sharp-edged, intellectual, and obsessed with aestheticism. The standouts here are the title track, "Smiles and Laughter," and "Gathering Dust," an epic post-punk exercise in aural dynamics. The keyboard rush that they employ is one of the punkiest uses of Stephen Walker's synthesizer imaginable -- at least prior to the development of the industrial movement. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars My irascible friend, July 31, 2000

By 

loteq (Regensburg/Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mesh and Lace (+ Bonus Tracks) (Audio CD)

This 72-minute CD is a compilation of ME's 1981 debut and several worthy bonus tracks from early singles and EPs. The band is primarily known for its 1982 hit single "I melt with you", but "Mesh and lace" marks a more aggressive stance and has few in common with the 4AD label's usual brand of sophisticated dream pop. However, for an essentially punk-based band the musical range here is quite impressive, sounding like a confluence between Joy Division's early material and Wire's arty "154". On the other hand, "Mesh and lace" is clearly a debut album; there's a fair amount of mediocre material which comes up with lots of pointless guitar feedback but no real substance. The best songs can be found among the extra tracks. The roaring "Gathering dust", the highly dramatic title cut, and "Smiles and laughter" are manic, sweeping gems. The atmospheric "Grief", "Tranquility" with its environmental sounds, and "Incident" with its staccato riffs have good ideas, too. Fans of ME's later work may not like the darkness and self-indulgent attitude of "Mesh and lace", but most of this album works well as angry, depressed mood music.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my all-time favorite albums., April 23, 2003

By 

S. Thompson (Victoria, BC Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mesh and Lace (+ Bonus Tracks) (Audio CD)

It reaches the deep aches and soothes the soul. It remindes me of times long ago when life was so terrible and it gives me a place to echo the longing for something so much more than what I have. It is wonderful. It is one of my favorite albums of all time.

Mesh and Lace is melodic, trance-like, and moody. It's there when I need to have music that understands what I've been through in my life. It is very personal.

Mesh and Lace is a collector's item. If you own it, you will know what a priceless treasure you truly have.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When is Modern English NOT Modern English?, March 26, 2007

By 

John Sledd "knows not much, but knows what he... (Woodbridge, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mesh and Lace (+ Bonus Tracks) (Audio CD)

When I was a kid, I bought this album on vinyl thinking it would be like the Modern English I'd heard (and loved) in After the Snow and Ricochet Days. It wasn't. And to be quite honest, at first, I really didn't care for it much at all. It's like cream cheese and peanut butter. You might like both but if you're expecting one when you bite into another, the initial shock can be unpleasant.

Mesh and Lace wound up being one of my favorite albums of all time. It's one of those sonic Bibles that helped shape me as a thinking being. I've been without Mesh and Lace for years as I've been without a turntable as well, so I recently picked up the CD and have been reliving the experience. And, best of all, it comes with bonus tracks. Some of which even sound a *bit* more like the Modern English of the two previously mentioned albums.

If you are a huge Melt with You fan, I can't promise you'll like Mesh and Lace. But if you like pure, raw, unbridled creativity, I think you'll be quite a fan.

J.