So . . . is it time to talk about that New Album again?

THE place for your Sisters-related comments, questions and snippets of Sisters information. For those who do not know, The Sisters of Mercy are a rock'n'roll band. And a pop band. And an industrial groove machine. Or so they say. They make records. Lots of records, apparently. But not in your galaxy. They play concerts. Lots of concerts, actually. But you still cannot see them. So what's it all about, Alfie? This is one of the few tightly-moderated forums on Heartland, so please keep on-topic. All off-topic posts will either be moved or deleted. Chairman Bux is the editor and the editor's decision is final. Danke.
Post Reply
User avatar
Todashi
Gonzoid Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 352
Joined: 21 Jun 2019, 09:53

Obviously, any discussion about a new sisters album is a total cliche, and up until last week everything that could have been said about it had been said - Mr Eldritch obviously had no interest.

In fact, up until the new tracks were premiered, it had been a long time since there was any spark of creativity in the band. So here's a question - does the fact that they've written and performed new music make it more or less likely that they will record that music? A new album made up of all the unreleased tracks would actually be a coherent and self contained record, with b-sides and curios.

On one hand, playing new tracks shows creativity and an interest in driving things forward. There's a new member, and things seem good. Even the song refrain to Better Reptile - Shed Your Skin - implies a willingness to just draw a line under the past and live a more fulfilling present and future. A new album could be listed on Spotify and Apple Music, and while the band would see f**k all royalties from that, those tracks could be playlisted and shared around by people, creating a new audience and driving gig attendance.

On the other, the moment when the Sisters would attract a lot of attention for a new record is passed. The Sisters have been a touring act only for 30 years and Eldritch's implied argument that he doesn't need to record anything so why should he still stands. Also, performing new tracks makes a lot less impact than simply announcing a record with unheard music on it and then using that as a hook to attract people to contribute to a crowdfunded album etc.

Thoughts? Could you see a new sisters record in, say, 2020? Could they? Should they?
Top
User avatar
czuczu
Overbomber
Posts: 2191
Joined: 24 Oct 2005, 14:11
Location: UK

Apart from tour rehearsals and soundchecks, I'd be amazed if they've ever had a run through of any unreleased stuff with vocals - never mind recording it.
Top
User avatar
Planet Dave
Underneath the Rock
Posts: 6744
Joined: 22 Apr 2003, 23:51
Location: Where the streets fold round

Could they? Technically yes. Should they? Dunno, it's Von's band, he's welcome to do wtf he likes with it. Long ago my thoughts of a new Sisters album faded into 'if they do, great, if they don't, hey ho'. And if they do, and War On Drugs isn't on it, it'll be s**t anyway :lol: :wink:
Top
User avatar
Being645
Wiki Wizard
Posts: 15270
Joined: 09 Apr 2009, 12:54
Location: reconstruction status: whatever the f**k

Planet Dave wrote:Could they? Technically yes. Should they? Dunno, it's Von's band, he's welcome to do wtf he likes with it. Long ago my thoughts of a new Sisters album faded into 'if they do, great, if they don't, hey ho'. And if they do, and War On Drugs isn't on it, it'll be s**t anyway :lol: :wink:
... :lol: :lol: ... Yeah, that would be like FALAA without Logic.
Top
User avatar
Planet Dave
Underneath the Rock
Posts: 6744
Joined: 22 Apr 2003, 23:51
Location: Where the streets fold round

Being645 wrote:
Planet Dave wrote:Could they? Technically yes. Should they? Dunno, it's Von's band, he's welcome to do wtf he likes with it. Long ago my thoughts of a new Sisters album faded into 'if they do, great, if they don't, hey ho'. And if they do, and War On Drugs isn't on it, it'll be s**t anyway :lol: :wink:
... :lol: :lol: ... Yeah, that would be like FALAA without Logic.
Vision Thing without Ribbons. Imagine that, if you will.

:lol:
Top
User avatar
Being645
Wiki Wizard
Posts: 15270
Joined: 09 Apr 2009, 12:54
Location: reconstruction status: whatever the f**k

Planet Dave wrote:
Being645 wrote:
Planet Dave wrote:Could they? Technically yes. Should they? Dunno, it's Von's band, he's welcome to do wtf he likes with it. Long ago my thoughts of a new Sisters album faded into 'if they do, great, if they don't, hey ho'. And if they do, and War On Drugs isn't on it, it'll be s**t anyway :lol: :wink:
... :lol: :lol: ... Yeah, that would be like FALAA without Logic.
Vision Thing without Ribbons. Imagine that, if you will.

:lol:
:lol: ... Or Floodland without Never Land... :D ...
Top
User avatar
Planet Dave
Underneath the Rock
Posts: 6744
Joined: 22 Apr 2003, 23:51
Location: Where the streets fold round

Three albums in and that 'joke' is finished and done now haha. Maybe it's as well they've only knocked three out. Sorry Todashi you can have yer thread back.

I do recall reading a quote from Von along the lines of 'an album would increase gig ticket sales but we sell out so what's the point?'. So if you really want a new album, maybe the answer is for everyone to stop buying tickets for the next tour or two.
Top
User avatar
Todashi
Gonzoid Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 352
Joined: 21 Jun 2019, 09:53

Yes, the most compelling argument against recording an album is why bother? Here we are, discussing them, watching bootlegs and attending gigs, 27 years later.

I suppose a bigger question would be how long does Von want to continue working and gigging for? If he'd like to be playing gigs in ten years time, for example, then it would probably help to have new product out there.

I really like the sisters's back catalogue. But I'm bored silly of the same setlist that have been going on for the last ten years or more. They're really dragging the ass out of the released songs.

At this stage, I'd happily go see a gig that ONLY featured the new songs.
“I don't want people to come and see our gig because of the magnificent things I'm doing with my hips, but it's their evening, you know. They have to have fun. I'm a little bit naive."
Top
User avatar
czuczu
Overbomber
Posts: 2191
Joined: 24 Oct 2005, 14:11
Location: UK

Todashi wrote:Yes, the most compelling argument against recording an album is why bother? Here we are, discussing them, watching bootlegs and attending gigs, 27 years later.

I suppose a bigger question would be how long does Von want to continue working and gigging for? If he'd like to be playing gigs in ten years time, for example, then it would probably help to have new product out there.

I really like the sisters's back catalogue. But I'm bored silly of the same setlist that have been going on for the last ten years or more. They're really dragging the ass out of the released songs.

At this stage, I'd happily go see a gig that ONLY featured the new songs.
I know it's not in current spirit of bonhomie but adding new songs to the set means they're unlikely to keep reintroducing a golden oldie each tour. With all their words that need to be sung...
Top
Bartek
Underneath the Rock
Posts: 6141
Joined: 17 Sep 2005, 10:47

If only new songs will be permanent part of setlist then it's good mark.

New album? Of course, hope dies last but, c'mon, get real. :lol:
Top
User avatar
mh
Above the Chemist
Posts: 8123
Joined: 23 Jun 2003, 14:41
Location: A city built on rock 'n' roll

On the other hand there seems no real reason not to either; it's 2019 and recording and releasing something is utterly trivial by comparison to how it was in 1985 or even in 1998. For sure they don't need to, but if it does take their fancy to do so, they can quite easily and freely do so without undue risk.
If I told them once, I told them a hundred times to put 'Spinal Tap' first and 'Puppet Show' last.
Top
abridged
Slight Overbomber
Posts: 1431
Joined: 08 Sep 2008, 10:27
Location: Derry
Contact:
Contact abridged

Being645 wrote:
Planet Dave wrote:
Being645 wrote: ... :lol: :lol: ... Yeah, that would be like FALAA without Logic.
Vision Thing without Ribbons. Imagine that, if you will.

:lol:
:lol: ... Or Floodland without Never Land... :D ...
Think I'm the only person that isn't that keen on Never Land... :oops:
The Chancer Corporation
Top
User avatar
Planet Dave
Underneath the Rock
Posts: 6744
Joined: 22 Apr 2003, 23:51
Location: Where the streets fold round

abridged wrote:Think I'm the only person that isn't that keen on Never Land... :oops:
May I be so bold as to suggest ...

Image

(soz mods, please do make that picture a lot smaller, if you wish)
Top
User avatar
Pista
Cureboi
Posts: 17626
Joined: 25 Jun 2006, 15:03
Location: Lost In A Forest
Contact:
Contact Pista

Planet Dave wrote: (soz mods, please do make that picture a lot smaller, if you wish)
Got it ;)
Cheers.
Steve
Just like the old days
TheCureCommunity
Top
abridged
Slight Overbomber
Posts: 1431
Joined: 08 Sep 2008, 10:27
Location: Derry
Contact:
Contact abridged

Planet Dave wrote:
abridged wrote:Think I'm the only person that isn't that keen on Never Land... :oops:
May I be so bold as to suggest ...

Image

(soz mods, please do make that picture a lot smaller, if you wish)
:lol: Ah I know, I tried. And the lyrics are great but just something puts me off it. I am suitably ashamed. :wink:
The Chancer Corporation
Top
User avatar
Being645
Wiki Wizard
Posts: 15270
Joined: 09 Apr 2009, 12:54
Location: reconstruction status: whatever the f**k

abridged wrote:
Being645 wrote:
Planet Dave wrote: Vision Thing without Ribbons. Imagine that, if you will.

:lol:
:lol: ... Or Floodland without Never Land... :D ...
Think I'm the only person that isn't that keen on Never Land... :oops:
Oh no, I think almost everybody else would have chosen any of the other songs ... :lol: ... and I also like them all.

Todashi wrote: [...], I'd happily go see a gig that ONLY featured the new songs.
Oh yes, that would be nice ..... ;D ;D ;D ...
Top
User avatar
Jan
Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 207
Joined: 18 Jul 2002, 01:00
Location: in a corner of a foreign field
Contact:
Contact Jan

Planet Dave wrote:Three albums in and that 'joke' is finished and done now haha. Maybe it's as well they've only knocked three out. Sorry Todashi you can have yer thread back.

I do recall reading a quote from Von along the lines of 'an album would increase gig ticket sales but we sell out so what's the point?'. So if you really want a new album, maybe the answer is for everyone to stop buying tickets for the next tour or two.
To add something to it, AE is reluctant to put down "final" versions of songs, he said so somewhere end-2016... They don't need it.
"For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal." (John F. Kennedy, 1963)
Top
User avatar
Planet Dave
Underneath the Rock
Posts: 6744
Joined: 22 Apr 2003, 23:51
Location: Where the streets fold round

Jan wrote:To add something to it, AE is reluctant to put down "final" versions of songs, he said so somewhere end-2016... They don't need it.
Was that the interview when he was extolling the virtues of having so much fun with the technology that he was forever tinkering with the tunes? Rings a bell. Bottom line is, if a Sisters album appears in the shops, yaay, if not, ah well.

I've viewed the live shows for a while now as 'Dave Brock Needs A New Tractor', which was a quote from a review of the Manchester Apollo show in 1997, when indeed it did seem as though they were merely going through the motions, even with two new songs in the set. I've no expectation that these new new songs will ever see their names written on a master tape, all I know for sure is I'll be boinging around like a loony in London on Saturday, and many folk around the world will be doing the same between now and November. That's good enough for me. Beyond that, what will be will be.
Top
User avatar
Gaijin
Utterly Bastard Groovy Amphetamine Filth
Posts: 844
Joined: 27 Jan 2015, 23:14
Location: Zululand

Doesn't some record company have to stump up $3m and a contract before Von puts on his work clothes?
"The lambs are dead and the cows explode"
Top
User avatar
Dan
Overbomber
Posts: 2014
Joined: 25 Sep 2002, 01:00
Location: Leeds

Jan wrote:To add something to it, AE is reluctant to put down "final" versions of songs, he said so somewhere end-2016... They don't need it.
It's understandable to not want to record a studio version immediately, as often when a band tours with a song it undergoes changes, often for the better... but... some of the unrecorded songs are approaching a quarter of a century old. If he hasn't got them down pat now he never will.
Top
User avatar
EvilBastard
Overbomber
Posts: 3933
Joined: 01 Feb 2006, 17:48
Location: Where the Ruined Tower shouts

Being645 wrote:
Planet Dave wrote:
Being645 wrote: ... :lol: :lol: ... Yeah, that would be like FALAA without Logic.
Vision Thing without Ribbons. Imagine that, if you will.

:lol:
:lol: ... Or Floodland without Never Land... :D ...
Or the single of More without the B-side... or a cuppa without a Bourbon to dunk in it.
"I won't go down in history, but I probably will go down on your sister."
Hank Moody
Top
User avatar
Planet Dave
Underneath the Rock
Posts: 6744
Joined: 22 Apr 2003, 23:51
Location: Where the streets fold round

EvilBastard wrote:Or the single of More without the B-side...
There's a B-side???
Top
abridged
Slight Overbomber
Posts: 1431
Joined: 08 Sep 2008, 10:27
Location: Derry
Contact:
Contact abridged

Planet Dave wrote:
EvilBastard wrote:Or the single of More without the B-side...
There's a B-side???
I could be (the) one of 'those' people that prefer the B-Side. :oops: :wink:
The Chancer Corporation
Top
User avatar
Planet Dave
Underneath the Rock
Posts: 6744
Joined: 22 Apr 2003, 23:51
Location: Where the streets fold round

abridged wrote:
Planet Dave wrote:
EvilBastard wrote:Or the single of More without the B-side...
There's a B-side???
I could be (the) one of 'those' people that prefer the B-Side. :oops: :wink:
'Kin 'ell, we're gonna run out of big syringes soon ;D
Top
User avatar
timsinister
The Oncoming Storm
Posts: 4571
Joined: 04 Jan 2005, 17:08
Location: Newcastle
Contact:
Contact timsinister

Save one for me then... :twisted:

I also heard there was a price ticket for a new album that's uncomfortably high for any record company, sending a pretty clear message I think.

The possibility of a new album crammed with the latest songs would be divine.

The likelihood is equally believable from an atheist's point of view.
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Sisters Chat”