Frustrating Reissue
Gary Walsh | 09/26/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Out of print for more than twenty years, Blancmange's fine third and final studio finally gets reissued (along with the other two, all three with bonus tracks). I'll get right to the point about the 'frustration': The original album is not intact here. There are many modifications and the lengthy liner notes do not ackowledge any of them.
"Lose Your Love" is not the album version. It's a noticeably inferior version with a different introduction and the drum track considerably weaker. "Other Animals" likewise features a different introduction. "22339" is nearly two minutes longer than the album version. "No Wonder They Made It Back" is about twenty seconds longer than the original album version. As for the bonus material, neither 12" mix of the first two singles ("Whats Your Problem", "Lose Your Love") appears here. So you get no familiar version of "Lose Your Love" (possibly the best track on this album) at all. Thankfully, you do get the 12" mix of "I Can See It" (the re-titled, re-recorded single version of "Why Don't They Leave Things Alone"). But the biggest frustration of all is that "Mixing On The Ceiling" is not the singles megamix originally released on the "Lose Your Love" 12". Instead, its a version of "Living On The Ceiling" (from the first album), that has never appeared on any of their 12" singles, and is unfamiliar to me. Naturally, the liner notes do not acknowledge this. So, all in all, the original 1985 West Germany CD issue on London is now an essential purchase if you do not have it already. This version is worth having too but do not be misled into thinking that it is a faithful representation of the album."
Awesome re-release
B. Duncan | Springville, UT United States | 12/11/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was adversely influenced by what previous reviewers said about this re-release, but after looking it over and listening to it I am glad that I bought it. While it is true that it is missing some key 12-inch versions ("Lose Your Love" being the main one), it has impeccable, professional packaging and great music. Buy the CD and you will see that it is a quality release. I disagree with previous opinions and do not believe "Mixing On The Ceiling" was mislabeled at all--if I remember correctly, it is from a ten-inch single called Son of Ceiling which was never purported to be a mega-mix medley. Regarding concerns about slightly different song versions, as long as you have the original version of the album (and if you don't, buy the LP used on here or on eBay for a low price!), who cares? I always thought that having longer/different versions of songs by groups you are a big fan of was a good thing--first, because it gives you better insight into the artist's work of creating the music, and second, because it is like having the extended version of those songs. As regards "Side Two" (the actual title of the song), this is a different version of "22339" which was released as a B-side on the "What's Your Problem" twelve-inch single (that had the queen of hearts on the cover.) I actually like "Side Two" better than the album version of "22339" because it seems more raw and genuine. In effect, Blancmange's "Side Two" is to "22339" what Weezer's Pinkerton is to the green album (more from the heart and with less production and/or remixing, which is sometimes better.) Anyway, do not let previous reviewers prevent you from buying this CD if you are a big Blancmange fan. You will be glad you did."
