Second Album [Original recording reissued]

Suicide | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 18, 2000)
• Original Release Date: January 18, 2000
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B000040OC1
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #109,938 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne

2. Mr. Ray

3. Sweetheart

4. Fast Money Music

5. Touch Me

6. Harlem

7. Be Bop Kid

8. Las Vegas Man

9. Shadazz

10. Dance

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Speed Queen [Demo Version]

2. Creature Feature [Demo Version]

3. Tough Guy [Demo Version]

4. A-Man [Demo Version]

5. Sneakin' Around [Demo Version]

6. Too Fine for You [Demo Version]

7. See You Around [Demo Version]

8. Be My Dream [Demo Version]

9. Speed Queen [Demo Version]

10. Creature Feature [Demo Version]

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Reissue of the 1980 & second album by Martin Rev & Alan Vega's influential post-modern rock duo. Contains all of the tracks from the original release, plus two unmarked bonus tracks, 'Dream Baby Dream' & 'Radiation', added to the end of it. Also included is a 14 track collection of 1975 recordings entitled 'The First Rehearsal Tapes', for a total of 16 bonus tracks. A grand total of 27 selections. Double slimline jewelcase. 1999 release. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Thief of fire, November 1, 2000

By 

loteq (Regensburg/Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Second Album (Audio CD)

Suicide's first studio album was the highly acclaimed "First album", a somewhat cold and manic record which fired off a sonic assault of electronic noise and angst-ridden, morbid lyrics. Despite the purely synth-driven sound, it was still a punk album - and a very influential one, too. Connected with the famous "CBGB's scene" at that time, the duo's live performances in the late-'70s were still intact, but their "Second album" and nearly every following studio effort confirmed that Suicide were inclined to take the 'easy option'. For their much-delayed second outing they entered the studio with Ric Ocasek, and "Second album" indeed is given the same immaculate and slick production that was the trademark of several other Ocasek products. The abrasive nature of the first release has been replaced by a somewhat laid-back, more accessible sound which makes clear why Suicide are often considered as forerunners of all these '80s pop duos, for example, Erasure, Soft Cell, Pet Shop Boys, and OMD. On the other hand, this makes it all stranger because the band doesn't really write pop songs on "Second album" instead of coming up with layers of atmospherics and arrangements which employ more details and a stronger rhythmic foundation.

Given the still primitive equipment at that time, the effects and sounds Martin Rev manages to wrangle from his machines are still awesome. "Fast money music" is worth of comparison to some of Aphex Twin's gentler ventures, particularly "Analogue bubblebath Vol.1". "Diamonds,..", "Mr.Ray", and "Harlem" are magnificent electro-pop classics. "Sweetheart" and "Dream baby dream" are moderately paced love songs which almost border on saccharine. Alan Vega's vocals are much calmer than on "First album", but they still have a somewhat menacing aura. However, the variations and changes Suicide can create with their formula are limited, towards the end of the album it all sounds a little to similar. Nevertheless, this is a worthy successor to "First album" and Suicide even experienced some commercial success with this second outing. The bonus disc is a grave disappointment, though. It features home recordings from the early-'70s which are so poor in audio quality that their inclusion seems pointless. Although titles like "Speedqueen" and "Spaceship" appear interesting, it's almost impossible to work out what's going on and it only gets slightly more rewarding after repeated listening. All in all, 4 stars for "Second album" and 2 stars for "The first rehearsal tapes". OK?

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Up from the Underground, June 23, 2006

By 

Daniel Mintz (Eureka, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Second Album (Audio CD)

Sometimes slagged as a sell-out, Suicide's second effort bore the imprint of pop star producer Ric Ocasek yet stayed true to the band's urban roots. Though updated (for its time) electronics replaced Martin Rev's thrift store gear, the sound retains the monotonous urgency that defined Suicide as a pacesetter two years prior. Alan Vega delivers brilliant, madcap vocal performances, most often on the tracks that blast street atmosphere into the mix (Mr. Ray, Harlem).
Here we also see the duo venturing into starry-eyed fascination with fame and riches, which is strangely in line with its blighted vision -- when Vega croons about Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne and Fast Money Music, it sounds like the daydreams of a rotter. Dreams go sour on Las Vegas Man, a haunting and ultra-sedated exploration of gambling's self-defeating lure.
Vega unintentionally summed up the vibe of this album when he told an interviewer that he knew the band was nearing success when he saw a go-go dancer do a striptease to the glossy beat of Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne. That must have been a thrill but Suicide's mainstream appeal never went much further, an eventuality perhaps ensured by a wretchedly sentimental single release, Dream Baby Dream, here included as an obligatory but bum bonus track.
The powerfully morbid B-side, Radiation, is also included and is far better. Super Subway Comedian rounds out the extras with Vega's take on the lighter side of city life.
For contrast, the bonus circa-1975 second disc gives all us lo-fi junkies something to mull over and is impressively creepy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast Money Music, November 23, 2010

By 

Harold G. Meeks Jr. "hal2k" (raleigh nc) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Second Album (Audio CD)

Other reviews of this album often include the term "sellout", even if it is in the context of defending this album.

I have no idea where the idea that this is somehow a more "commercial" album than their first one, because it simply isn't.

Their second album finds the duo much more confident and polished than their first. Ric Ocasek's production adds a sheen that presages The Car's own dabbling into the same "wall of grinding sound" on "Shoo Be Doo" - the jarring and brilliant introduction to "Candy-O", measuring the same level of desperation and angst.

The songs on Suicide's second album have some of same elements of oppression, paranoia and desperation, but now with a glimmer of hopefulness that counters with gritty reality. It is sometimes an expression of the wish for escape via material goods - as the first track states, but often the depression and fear is just below the surface. This in the end makes this a more nuanced production.

Still, there are those that will be disappointed that there isn't another "Ghost Rider" or "Rocket USA" - but in the end this album is as - or perhaps more - essential than their first, because it is much clearer the influence this seminal band had on others afterwards.