Heartland

Just wondering what The favourite Sisters era was.

My favourite era is the 1981 - 1983 embryonic era.

too long between albums:

• played FALAA and Wake to burn out
  same with Floodland and its singles
  Vision Thing was a big disappointment at the time, now I find I love that live band line-up
  (see my recent entries in the Weeding Section)

so that's the one for me

Very difficult indeed...

I started loving the Sisters through Floodland, and I still love everything about that era, which includes more or less the Gift-era, since the style is very much the same (at least to me, I don't say it is so to everyone ), but I love the embryonic-era very much too, with songs like Burn which are sublime,

For now I think I'll go for the last one, because it is a more pure era, it's pretty straightforward music (not that much elaborated) and the lyrics are sublime anyhow, and you have to know the music too before being able to like that part (at least, more then floodland, vision thing, whatever)...

can i braoden your poll a bit Niccy?????

is it for any of the following:-

a) The Music
b) The Look
c) The Lineup
d) The Output
e) None of the above, just playing devils advocate.................

It's for the music and the line up.

I always felt the embryonic Sisters were the REAL Sisters.

I like the Floodland era alot, Andrew and Patricia seemed like a deranged version of The Eurhythmics.

Most of the Sister songs I like are from the embryonic/Floodland era.

i vote for floodland....
....'cause i can't vote for the post 1996 era !!!
sorry!but i think till 96 we see the sisters in her best mode ever!
political,fashion like,interviews and great songs.....and the best live sound!!!

Musically... FALAA. Very tough, they've been so consistent.

Line-up... I do love Patsy. Did-they-or-didn't-they...?

As far as the trousers are concerned, I actually can't choose. Probably a "long-hair" time - VT or early on...

Favourite Eldritch look: Dominion video: white suit and the beard ...

Favourite musical era: the embryonic years, because that's how I discovered the Sisters (release of SGWBM in '92)...

Favourite era from a collector's point-of-view: '80-'85...

Best Live era: I agree w/ Barman Blast: the VT line-up (and they get bonus points for playing Temple of Love live (may I recommend the 10th anniversary gig rendition, top!)...

Best line-up overall: '84-'85

Best era easily must be the embryonic Sisters era.
Some of the best songs (Damage Done, Good Things, 1969, Floorshow, Anaconda, Gimme Shelter), in fact even after signing to WEA, before FALAA they made some stonking tracks (Body Electric 83, Train, Bury Me Deep).

Same goes for the live stuff. I received a lot of early Sisters gigs, such as the first, fourth and sixth (I think) gigs, and the rawness and energy amazes me.
Gives me a little shiver when I hear Von scream "Damage! Damage! Damage! DamageDamageDamageDamage DONE!"

Plus, they still looked goth, and Von didn't look like a Fire Chief On Hip-Hop Medication.
(Mind, the version of Anaconda tacked onto Exxile On Euphoria from 2001 just plain rocks)

Fave era 83-86, from the Temple of Love EP through to Gift. Eldo had become good at programming a drum machine by this stage (did he obtain a helping hand?) and I liked the dance beats.

My favourite sisters era was & probably will always be the 80-85 era. The first years they were just so damn cool! Full on,Bass heavy, Drum kickin' scorchers... The black stuff, the leather, ... man, I need to lie down now And those songs: Burn , Floorshow , Watch , Teachers/Adrenochrome, ...

Their absolute masterpiece is The Reptile House EP , without a doubt! Deeeeep stuff...

When Gunn left the building, things kept on going strong, although much changed. Listen to those 84-85 live recordings and ... ... They take me away every time. Just the best band in the world!

All this said, I must say that I see Floodland as another superb album, one that is far away from FALAA, but 100% Sisters. The Sisters -masterplan unfolds...

Vision Thing, well that was a bit of a pain in the ass for me... especially in the beginning. Weird production, slick songs, damn guitar riffs! But now, years later I love the production, I love the sound and I think as a whole it's another brilliant album with absolute brilliance on Ribbons & I Was Wrong!

The new songs... let's talk in 5 years

ps: anyone know the song '...& The Ramblings of a madman' by Future Sound Of London? That one inspired me to write this....

I like the Floodland era alot, but it just wasn't the same for me without Gary Marx.

The Sisters to me was Gary, Andrew and the Doctor.

If it wasn't for Gary asking Andrew to play Drums there would be no Sisters of Mercy.

I also like Gary Marx's guitar style, I'm a big fan of his style, I learnt how to play all the early Sisters songs on guitar.

Another important factor was Craigs bass sound, does anyone know why Craig left?

I loved how they sounded like a mix of rock n roll/dance.

Plus I agree, The early Sisters dressed and acted how a rock band should act and dress.

I also love reading all the old interviews, Eldritch is a very funny man.

Basically, I think, the early Sisters were everything a Rock n Roll band should be.

I also enjoy Vons lyrics, my favourite lyrics are the lyrics to Floorshow.

My favourite Sisters singles have to be Body Electirc/Adrenochrome, Alice/Floorshow, Reptile House ep, Temple of Love, Dominion and all the singles from the 85 era.

I've been trying desperately to find all the singles released after Temple of Love for the B,sides, especially Emma and Poison Door after hearing a bootleg of the Sisters playing them live.

God I just love the Sisters of Mercy

Hojyuu-obi wrote:Best Live era: I agree w/ Barman Blast: the VT line-up (and they get bonus points for playing Temple of Love live (may I recommend the 10th anniversary gig rendition, top!)...

Cheers H-o

radiojamaica wrote:ps: anyone know the song '...& The Ramblings of a madman' by Future Sound Of London? That one inspired me to write this....

Far Out Son Of Lung And The Rambligs Of A Madman, I have that CD single

James Blast wrote:Far Out Son Of Lung And The Rambligs Of A Madman, I have that CD single

Does it sound as crazy as the title suggests?

Obviousman wrote:Does it sound as crazy as the title suggests?

'fraid not Obviousman, pretty standard mid to late period TFSOL, pretty good nonetheless

FALAA era, that was the Sisters. What came after is AE and an assortment of hired hands.

I can't choose between:

- 1980-83
- Floodland
- post-Vision Thing era (you didn't mention)

Not quite one of the choices on offer, but it's 83-85 for me.

The later indie singles, & F & L & A are the Sisters finest moments for me. Also the boots from 84 & 85 are the ones that I listen to the most.

I voted for the Floodland era. Although the "embryonic" period came a very close second.

always used to be 83/84 but have really been "digging" (:urff:) the floodland sound of late

Have to absolutely agree with the sentiments of radiojamaica on the 80 - 85 era, the Reptile House EP amd Floodland - to the point that you may as well read what radiojamaica wrote to get my opinion (so, why exactly am I boring you all ).

No, has to be said again!!

Floodland or post 96 (98 / 2001 in particular).

And of course, the next one

Pre-embryonic? Troubled childhood more like!

Bestest lyrics, darkest moods and wailiest guitars.

The Killer Combo:

• Alice / Floorshow
• The Reptile House (especially Fix and Valentine)
• Temple of Love / Heartland / Gimme Shelter

It. Simply. Doesn't. Get. Better. Than. This.

I'm right; you're wrong. Accept my truth and get over it

I remember being vaguely disappointed when they got the WEA major deal and announced FALAA that they wouldn't be a "secret" indy band any more, especially since 12" EP's are inherently cooler than albums. Think about it. I'm right again aren't I?

Close the poll now and ward the prize to the phoetus

Obviousman wrote:

James Blast wrote:Far Out Son Of Lung And The Rambligs Of A Madman, I have that CD single

Does it sound as crazy as the title suggests?

The Future Sound of London are very good.

They pioneered in the field of digital video and stuff in early 9ties. They made some very nice ambient/electronic albums, especially ISDN and Lifeforms are splendid! ..check 'm out