Search - After the Fire :: Atf-Der Kommissar

A profoundly disappointing re-release

Michael Ropp | Brookings, SD USA | 06/25/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I am a huge ATF fan, having grown up playing "Carry Me Home", "Sometimes", and "Starflight" in bands. I literally wore out my vinyl copy of the self-titled "ATF" album. Recently, I purchased ATF's greatest hits CD (one I highly recommend), but I found myself missing "Carry Me Home" and "Sometimes", which aren't included. Also, the versions of "Starflight", "One Rule For You", and "Dancing in the Shadows" on the greatest hits CD are remixes that I don't like as well as the originals contained on the vinyl version of the self-titled "ATF" collection. Thus, when I heard the original "ATF" album was being re-issued on CD, I ordered it that same day. I was profoundly disappointed when I received it and found out that this "reissue" contains the remixed versions of the three songs I just mentioned, not the originals. I give the "ATF" album three stars because I really enjoy ATF, and because the songs "Sometimes" and "Carry Me Home" have survived in their original versions. However, if you are looking for a good ATF collection and don't just ~have~ to have "Sometimes" and "Carry Me Home", I'd recommend their greatest hits disk instead of this one. If you remember every note of the original, as I do, you'll be disappointed with the "ATF" CD."

Another Der Kommissar

M. J. Rimmer | Halesowen, West Midlands United Kingdom | 06/22/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I guess there's always going to be an interest in English band After The Fire because as long as there are stations playing eighties music, a DJ somewhere in the world will be playing their biggest US hit Der Kommissar. It always strikes me as ironic that their best known song is a cover version when the band's two main writers Pete banks and Andy Piercy were so prolific as writers. If you have already got hold of a copy of Der Kommissar, there's not much point buying this album as it's a slightly different version of the Der Kommissar compilation exept that you get Sometimes and a dub version of Der Kommissar. The sleeve notes make for interesting reading, obviously someone from the Sony research department was having a bad day as there are a number of bits of wrong information. For example, keyboard player Peter Banks was never a member of Yes!! etc etc etcFor the uninitiated, After The Fire were a cutting edge band and one of the first to make a synth the lead instrument in the band and in their time '79-82 was the peak period of the band, their unique style was special. Techno before techno was invented, this is more than synth rock since the band's songwriting was always top quality. Powerful, catchy, hooky melodies and driving rhythms of the upbeat songs was matched by subtle moments on the slower numbers. Listening it's amazing they didn't have more hit singles since this compilation shows that when it came to creating three minute memorable tunes, they had the chops. Recording three albums for CBS during that period they had minor hit singles in the UK and that one huge hit in America (Der Kommissar made it to no 5 in the Billboard charts. They also manage dto collect a verfy passionate cult following which meant that on the live circuit ATF were always a superb draw. The band did many high profile support slots touring with Queen, ELO and Van Halen but the huge success they deserved never materialised and the band split at the end of 1982 after a farewell Christmas gig in London.This compilation pulls together their best known songs, many of which were released as singles. The version of One Rule For You is the later inferior re-recorded version rather than the original single mix that was an English hit. Other singles like Laser Love and Love Will Always Make Me Cry still sound fresh. The version of Dancing In The Moonlight is again a later re-make cashing in on the success of the Der Kommissar single and sounds less like classic ATF (it even has a sax solo!!) but even that can't spoil the compilation. Other live favourites are included like the two instrumentals 1980-F and Joy as well as the synth workout Starflight which was the band's latter day concert closer. If you've never checked out the band before, this is the only way you can really get a chance to see what all the fuss is about.But now that we've had two versions of the Der Kommissar album available isn't it time that Sony dug out the individual albums and re-released 80F, batteries Not Included and Laser Love? Now that would be something to get excited about. So come on Sony! I'd even write extensive and accurate sleeve notes if you asked!"

The Marketers Did it Again

David B. Isbell | San Diego, CA USA | 08/14/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"After my mild disappointment with the CD release of Der Kommissar (greatest hits import) I purchased a copy of the CD version of ATF (After the Fire)-Der Kommissar thinking it was a remastered copy of the original 1981 album. It was not. A majority of the songs are originals but a few are remixes or concert recordings (the same remakes on their greatest hits CD). In my opinion ATF IS early 80's New Wave synth-pop. No single group is better for as few songs. If they ever release an original CD recording of the ATF-After the Fire album (as it was originally titled in 1981, not Der Kommissar) then you will truly have an opportunity to obtain 5-star music form a 5-star band. I have only rated 3 stars because of the versions that were chosen for this CD.



The original vinyl copy of this album is the the only one I have ever played for others that has consistently prompted requests from them of how and where to buy it, either on CD, cassette, or vinyl. Some of these people were not fans of the gernre. If you have never heard ATF before, then you will not be bound by the minor discrepancies of this CD. You are likely to enjoy it as thoroughly as the rest of us enjoyed the songs the way they were released at the turn of the 80's. Just beware that the songs are highly synthesized (predominantly electronic keyboard), quirky, and in some cases almost a little silly, but that's the appeal of ATF. They're very clean and very fun. Highly recommended."