An essential classic
Kenneth M. Brooks | San Diego, CA | 10/22/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A lot has already been said about this album, and I'm not likely to top it, but suffice it to say, In The Flat Field is one of the best debut albums ever, and for an album now nearly 30 years old, it still sounds so fresh and different. The extras included in this set are wonderful: several previously unreleased versions, most of which are every bit as good as their more well known counterparts. And the book and packaging are beautiful and well worth the price.
But don't go throwing out your single-disc edition, as there are a couple of things NOT included in this box set, namely being the single versions of Telegram Sam & Terror Couple Kill Colonel (Both available on the previously released single-disc version In the Flat Field).
For reference, because Amazon doesn't list the version names on disc two:
1 Dark Entries (Singles A Side - AD 3 [A])
2 A God In An Alcove (Original Version)
3 Untitled (Single B Side - AD 3 [B])
4 Terror Couple Kill Colonel (Original Beck Version) *
5 Telegram Sam (Original Beck Version) *
6 Terror Couple Kill Colonel (Single B Side - AD 7 [B])
7 Scopes (Single B Side - AD 7 [B])
8 Terror Couple Kill Colonel (Southern Mix #2) *
9 Crowds (Single B Side - AD 17T [B])
10 Dive (Out-Take / Alternative Mix) *
11 Spy In The Cab (Out-Take / Alternative Mix) *
12 Stigmata Martyr (Out-Take / Alternative Mix) *
13 Rosegarden Funeral Of Sores (Single B Side - AD 17T [B])
14 Double Dare (Alternative Verson / Mix #4) *
15 Telegram Sam (Alternative Mix #1) *
16 Untitled 2 *
* denotes previously unreleased tracks"
Not quite what I was expecting, but a solid release
trystero | USA | 10/27/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This box is a great buy for anyone who doesn't already own _In the Flat Field_. For those who have the older editions, some points to note:
(1) The mastering on the new edition is only subtly different from the old -- there isn't a "night and day" difference, at least to my ears. "Double Dare" is a little less trebly, perhaps. Not a complaint (the new disc sounds fine), but don't pick this up just for the remastering.
(2) The bonus tracks are an interesting selection, but (as pointed out by a previous reviewer) they don't include the single A-side recordings of either "Terror Couple Kill Colonel" or "Telegram Sam". Personally, I think these would be of more interest to a new fan than the alternate mixes included here; for an old fan, they're a good reason to hang on to the previous CD edition of this album.
That said, this edition does a great job of providing context; the art and liner notes are excellent and do a good job of documenting just where Bauhaus were in 1980. I don't mean to put any buyers off this release -- just don't want them to be disappointed at the things they're *not* getting."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1