Record Collector review
Posted: 26 Dec 2006, 13:07
Apologies if this is a repost, but I found this in this month's copy of Record Collector:
Not bad. Keith will certainly agree with the two-stars review of Vision Thing.First And Last And Always *** Rhino 5105575792
Floodland **** Rhino 5105575802
Vision Thing ** Rhino 5105575822
80s goff band om 'still sound rather good' shock
So near, yet so far... WEA and a fanbase of spotty-goths-tunred-accountants will mourn the absence of Alice and Temple Of Love from these otherwise excellent reissues. Chief Sister Andrew Eldritch has held onto those particular family jewels.
On the Sisters' 1985 debut, First & Last & Always, Doktor Avalanche's stark beats and the reverberated chorus of That Guitarist's guitar reveal their post-punk roots, as well as a reverence for the likes of Lou Reed. The six bonus tracks will be too tinny for most, but Poison Door's twisted glitter gives it dark charm.
By 1987, Hussey et al were out and Patricia Morrison was in. What she contributed other than a touch of funereal glamour is still debatable, but Floodland was a masterpiece. Its grim atmospheres and sense of grandeur made it the gothic-rock templace for ever more. This Corrosion's choir and no-brain chorus was destined to become a radio hit and is an obvious highlight. Get this for the four B-side bonus tracks, inclucing Torch and Colours.
In 1989, Eldrich recruited a bunch of metal musicians, which wasn't a good move. Vision Thing featured some reasonably anthemic rock songs, but elsewhere it was comedy-goth nonsense. Even the extras make it average album, not an essential one.
Joel McIver