Soft Cell

  • Thread starter Deleted member 2720
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D

Deleted member 2720

Well this album was a soundtrack to my youth. Undoubtedly one of the most interesting electro pop albums of the early 80's. Every track tells a wonderful story and then of course there were those video's! I used to play 'Sex Drawf' very very loud just to annoy the neighbours and to make them wonder what the hell was going on in my house!

Anyway it would be good to hear people's thought's of this classic album and any memories they have associated with tracks on this album.

I was really disappointed to read in Marc's autobiography that he felt their was to much Vicious Pink Phenomena on the album. Now, I love Marc but surely it was Vicious Pink's contributions that helped to make the album so good. 'Seedy Films' would not have been the same without Josie's vocals! I saw them perform this at a re union tour and it was really crying out for some female vocals.

I Saw Non Stop and Heat in Fopp for £3 this weekend.
 
Eric Generic

Eric Generic

I've got the 1996 reissue (the one with the horrid blue border sleeve), and there are some classic non-album singles tacked on at the end. So I tend to think of this as an even stronger LP than it probably was originally.

Everybody should have this in their collection, along with Dare and The Lexicon Of Love.

EG.
 
D

Deleted member 2720

Eric Generic said:
I've got the 1996 reissue
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This is the version they currently have in fopp for £3!
I would have bought it but they bonus tracks I think are the same as on the Soft Cell 'The Twelve Inch Singles' Cd ( which I have). I'd have to check that first though. Mind you it wouldn't hurt to have this album again anyway seeing as it is so inexpensive.
 
sometimesxtc

sometimesxtc

Melancholy Rose said:
Eric Generic said:
I've got the 1996 reissue
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This is the version they currently have in fopp for £3!
I would have bought it but they bonus tracks I think are the same as on the Soft Cell 'The Twelve Inch Singles' Cd ( which I have). I'd have to check that first though. Mind you it wouldn't hurt to have this album again anyway seeing as it is so inexpensive.
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buy both. i think i have three copies of nsec on cd (since the reissue last year) as well as the lp. and i'm a lucky enough boy to even have the twelve inch singles 6x12" set i picked up in london a couple of years ago for fifty quid. they brought the b-side back with a vengeance. facility girls, where did our love go, fun city.... i've ranted about soft cell enough on different forums over the years - this is undoubtedly one of my favourite albums, very much in the top five. dirty, smart, angry, seedy, heartwrenching. would encourage anyone who likes a bit of grit in their pop to have a listen and let the board know what you think.

bless you boys!
 
M

moorje

One of the greatest albums of all time. Fact. And that's even without Memorabilia and Torch.
 
nnnumb

nnnumb

Eric Generic said:
Everybody should have this in their collection, along with Dare and The Lexicon Of Love.
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Indeed. The Holy Trinity of 80s albums.

I could talk for ages on this album, as there's just so much to love about it, not least because it contains my favourite track of all time, Say Hello Wave Goodbye. Every single track is perfect! There is not one ill judged or duff moment on the whole thing. It's pure, benchmark Pop.

And, as if that wasn't enough, it's not even their best album!
 
sometimesxtc

sometimesxtc

nnnumb said:
Eric Generic said:
Everybody should have this in their collection, along with Dare and The Lexicon Of Love.
Click to expand...

Indeed. The Holy Trinity of 80s albums.

I could talk for ages on this album, as there's just so much to love about it, not least because it contains my favourite track of all time, Say Hello Wave Goodbye. Every single track is perfect! There is not one ill judged or duff moment on the whole thing. It's pure, benchmark Pop.

And, as if that wasn't enough, it's not even their best album!
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ok, i'll bite....
 
nnnumb

nnnumb

sometimesxtc said:
nnnumb said:
Eric Generic said:
Everybody should have this in their collection, along with Dare and The Lexicon Of Love.
Click to expand...

Indeed. The Holy Trinity of 80s albums.

I could talk for ages on this album, as there's just so much to love about it, not least because it contains my favourite track of all time, Say Hello Wave Goodbye. Every single track is perfect! There is not one ill judged or duff moment on the whole thing. It's pure, benchmark Pop.

And, as if that wasn't enough, it's not even their best album!
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ok, i'll bite....
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Well, my favourite has always been The Art Of Falling Apart followed, very closely, by This Last Night In Sodom.
 
sometimesxtc

sometimesxtc

non-stop erotic cabaret, or perhaps one of the singles comps. the 3cd twelve inch singles collection is one of the most essential single artists comps i've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. all three of their albums are terrific. non-stop is pretty much in the pantheon of my favourite ever records, but the other two are incredible. over the past couple of years i've probably listened to the art of falling apart more than anything else.
 
D

Deleted member 2720

kostadagreat said:
As a new listener, which album would you recommend as their best?
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I would start with 'Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret' and then 'Non- Stop Ecstatic Dancing' which was a remixed dance version of 'Non Stop Erotic Cabaret'.It has extended versions and instrumental versions. It also has a few different tracks like the classic 'Memoribilia' and 'What'. 'The Twelve Inch Singles' 3 CD pack is a must. It has 12" singles and quite brilliant be-sides like 'Fun City' and 'Facility Girls'.


I find it very hard to choose a favorite between 'Non- Stop Erotic Cabaret' and 'The Art Of Falling Apart' both are brilliant in my opinion.


Like Nnnumb 'Say Hello Wave Goodbye' is also my all time favorite song. I hated the 1991 version Marc did. The re- sang vocals just did not work for me.


I played Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing last night and forgot how risque the version of 'Sex Drawf' on this album was. My poor dogs became very alert when they heard all the moaning and groaning! I think my poor old elderly neighbour must have wondered what we were doing next door......ha ha.

oh Nnnumb, I just remembered Mari Wilson was in Soft Cell's 'What' video. I always forget that.
 
sometimesxtc

sometimesxtc

kostadagreat said:
What about the next two albums they released? Are they any good?
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absolutely. start with the art of falling apart... this last night might sound a bit abrasive after the gorgeous soul of non-stop. worth it in the end mind!
 
nnnumb

nnnumb

sometimesxtc said:
kostadagreat said:
What about the next two albums they released? Are they any good?
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absolutely. start with the art of falling apart... this last night might sound a bit abrasive after the gorgeous soul of non-stop. worth it in the end mind!
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Well worth it! This Last Night... is really undervalued in his discography. It is a lot rougher than the preceeding albums, but songs like L'Esqualita (about a Hispanic drag club in New York), Meet Murder My Angel, Mr. Self Destruct and Where Was Your Heart When You Needed It Most are some of the best material they ever recorded. It's a good entry point if you're interested in exploring the solo Marc stuff too as his first album, Vermin In Ermine, is quite similarish in places.

I wish all the Soft Cell albums would get the deluxe 2 CD treatment.
 
D

Deleted member 2720

nnnumb said:
Meet Murder My Angel.
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This one is my favorite on 'This Last Night In Sodom'.

Each album seems to get darker in sound.

'The Art Of Falling Apart' is a superb album and contains some of Soft Cell's best material. 'Loving You Hating Me' really should have been a single instead of being shelved. I think It was at this stage in Soft Cell's career that Marc formed Marc And The Mambas. Check out their albums title track 'Untitled' It's wonderful and features Matt Johnson from The The on synths and guitar. The album 'Untitled' also features a really good cover of Lou Reeds 'Caroline says'.
 
moorje

moorje

Yeah, Marc pretty much said Soft Cell won’t tour again, but would continue to record and do an occasional performance.
But he also said they wouldn’t reunite and he would never write any original solo material again...so who knows.
 
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