From: awrc@dcs.ed.ac.uk (Al Crawford)
Newsgroups: rec.music.industrial
Subject: Re: Q: Chris and Cosey recommendations?
Date: 16 Apr 92 12:37:32 GMT
Reply-To: awrc@dcs.ed.ac.uk (Al Crawford)
Organization: The University Of Edinburgh - Department Of Computer Science

And lo, danm@grumpy.watson.ibm.com (Dan McCabe) spake unto the masses saying:
>
> Since we are all an opinionated lot, what recommendations would we make
> regarding the definitive Chris and Cosey release? I have Trust, which I
> like (it could have more of an edge, but it is pleasant enough).
>
> What do others recommend? And why do you recommend it above other C&C
> (assuming that you have a rational reason for recommending it, although
> none is needed)?

I've no real recommendations. If you like _Trust_ you would probably be
best to stick to the regular releases bordering that one i.e. _Exotica_
and _Pagan Tango_. The first of those is perhaps rather dancier than
_Trust_, the one after more relaxed.

Pocket reviews (note that reviews of early albums reflect the CD versions,
which have bonus tracks).

Heartbeat - first album? One of my favourites. Interesting features include
"Bust Stop" (which has aged *very* well - sounds almost contemporary),
Cosey going slightly nuts on "Manic Melody", the rather endearing "Moorby"
plus more atmospheric pieces like "Pressure Drop".

Trance - my least favourite C&C album. It's also one of their most
distinctive however, and the most likely to appeal to fans of the less
melodic side of industrial

Songs Of Love And Lust - another personal favourite. More melodic again
("Walking Through Heaven" and "October Love Song" are downright beautiful)
The bits inbetween are competent yet unremarkable.

Techno Primitiv - another reasonable one. "Stolen Kisses" and "Hazey Daze"
are more in the melodic vein. The title track is probably the closest to
what I see as the conventional new beat/light industrial dance sound that
they've done. Nice cover art too.

Reflection - A compilation of stuff from the first four albums with one
bonus track, "Internal 16". Not particularly recommended.

Exotica - I find this rather boring, to be honest. Competent but too samey.
The only track here that does anything for me is "Irama" which I love.

Allotropy - Good but rather different. It's a film soundtrack, one single
track about 40 or so minutes long. Goes through several distinct phases
and, unusually for a track of this length, holds my attention right
through.

Collectiv One - a compilation containing a Chris Carter solo release (the
LP _Mondo Beat_), plus a couple of collaborative 12"s (one with Lustm0rd,
the other with...oh damn, what's his name?)

Collectiv Two - the pick of the compilations.

Trust - well you've already got this so there's no need for a review.

Collectiv Three - subtitled "An Elemental Rendezvous" this combines a film
soundtrack with a live performance. OK, but nothing to write home about.

Collectiv Four - a compilation of archive rarities. Some interesting stuff
here, encompassing the full range of C&C styles and including their
collaboration with the Eurythmics.

Pagan Tango - most recent album. Similar to _Trust_ but more relaxed and
sensual.

I've only been able to list the stuff I've got - other releases (on CD)
include _Action (CTI Live)_, _Take Five_ (only on vinyl in Europe but
back-to-backed with _Exotica_ on a US CD), _Core_ (more collaborations),
_Rise_ (12"), _Synaesthesia_ (12"), _Passion_ (ltd ed 7") and a few TGT
releases (anyone care to elaborate on those?). Coming out shortly (probably
on Mute) is Cosey's solo release+magazine _Time To Tell_ has been out
before but is now coming out in an enhanced form on CD. Chris Carter's solo
release _The Space Between_ is available on Mute/The Grey Area.

--
		      Al Crawford - awrc@dcs.ed.ac.uk
       "Breakdown. Splinter. A thousand fragments disperse and die."