BAUHAUS • In The Flat Field
OMNIBUS EDITION
Release date : 19 October 2009
ORDER both ‘Mask’ and ‘In The Flat Field’:
ORDER both ‘Mask’ and ‘In The Flat Field’ together and get an EXCLUSIVE Bonus CD:
… AND REMAINS is made up from alternative mixes / takes and live recordings that were superfluous to the two Omnibus Editions and we’re offering it as a bonus thank you to fans who pre-order both of the box sets direct.
TRACK LISTING
1. Bela Lugosi’s Dead – Tomb Raider Mix
2. Terror Couple Kill Colonel – Spaceward Studio 24 April 1980
3. Double Dare – Southern Studio Mix #1
4. A God In An Alcove
5. Poison Pen
6. Hollow Hills
Recorded at University Of London Union 31 October 1980.
7. Poem
Recorded at Space Place, Chicago 9 September 1980
These tracks will not be available from any other source
Since its release in 1980 to generally indifferent reviews, Bauhaus’ debut album has grown in stature and is now appreciated as an innovative foundation stone of ‘Gothic’ music. Peaking at number one and remaining on the UK ‘Indie’ chart for over two years, this dynamic collection defies categorisation, offering an incendiary tinderbox of driving jagged rhythms, screeching guitars, brooding atmospherics, provocative lyrics and wildly animated vocals.
“Few debut albums ever arrived so nearly perfectly formed; that In the Flat Field practically single-handedly invented what remains for many as the stereotype of goth music – wracked, at times spindly vocals about despair and desolation of many kinds, sung over mysterious and moody music – demonstrates the sui generis power of both the band and its work. This said, perhaps the best thing about the album isn’t what it’s supposed to sound like, but what it actually does – an awesomely powerful, glam-inspired rock band firing on all fours, capable of restraint and complete overdrive both, fronted by a charismatic, storming frontman. Starting with the challenging angst of “Double Dare,” with shattering guitar over a curious but fierce stop-start rhythm while Murphy rages ever more strongly over the top, In the Flat Field contains a wide variety of inspirations and ideas. The astonishingly precise rhythm section of David J and Haskins pulls off a variety of jaw-dropping performances, including the high-paced tension of the title track and the brooding crawl from “Spy in the Cab.” Ash, much like his longtime hero Mick Ronson, turns out to be a master of turning relatively simple guitar parts into apocalyptic explosions, from the background fills on “St. Vitus Dance” to the brutal descending chords of “Stigmata Martyr.” Murphy, meanwhile, channels as much Iggy Pop as he does Bowie, proving to be no simple copyist of either, able to both maniacally sing-shout and take a somewhat lighter touch throughout. Concluding with the seven-minute “Nerves,” an aptly titled piece that alternates between understated energy and unleashed power toward a dramatic ending, In the Flat Field started off Bauhaus’ album career with a near-perfect bang.” – Ned Raggett : All Music Guide
The re-mastered set includes In The Flat Field restored to it’s original sequence plus a second disc of the non-album singles and previously unreleased out-takes and alternative versions. This Omnibus Edition is presented as a limited edition box set with the two CD’s in Japanese-style paper sleeves, reproducing the original vinyl cover art, accompanied by a 48 page book that chronologically details the genesis of the album with rare memorabilia and photographs and contains the complete lyrics.
CD 1 IN THE FLAT FIELD
Double Dare
In The Flat Field
A God In An Alcove
Dive
Spy In The Cab
Small Talk Stinks
St. Vitus Dance
Stigmata Martyr
Nerves
CD 2 SINGLES & OUT-TAKES
Dark Entries single A side
A God In An Alcove original version
Untitled single B side
Terror Couple Kill Colonel original version *
Telegram Sam original version *
Terror Couple Kill Colonel single B side
Scopes single B side
Terror Couple Kill Colonel Southern mix #2 *
Crowds single B side
Dive alternate mix *
Spy In The Cab alternate mix *
Stigmata Martyr alternate mix *
Rosegarden Funeral Of Sores single B side
Double Dare alternate version / mix #4 *
Telegram Sam alternate mix #1 *
Untitled #2 *
*Previously unreleased
EXCLUSIVE BONUS DISC
… AND REMAINS is made up from alternative mixes / takes and live recordings that were superfluous to the two Omnibus Editions and were offering it as a bonus thank you to fans who pre-order both of the box sets direct from this site.
TRACK LISTING
1. Bela Lugosi’s Dead – Tomb Raider Mix
This is a new mix based on the Hammersmith Palais ’81 live performance (the same as on ‘Press The Eject’). It has a constant rhythm (the live take starts at a gallop, quickly slowing to a canter) and uses a studio vocal that was added to the multi-track.
2. Terror Couple Kill Colonel – Spaceward Studio 24 April 1980
There are already 3 versions of TCKC on the box set (that’s enough) but this version was briefly available (by accident) on a re-press of the vinyl single and quickly withdrawn.
3. Double Dare – Southern Studio Mix #1
The unreleased mix #4 is on the box set but this is an earlier take.
4. A God In An Alcove
5. Poison Pen
6. Hollow Hills
Recorded at University Of London Union 31 October 1980. We wanted to include a live disc with ‘In The Flat Field’ Omnibus Edition but only one official recording was made of a show (at ULU). The tape was a live monitor mix so the sound balance was way out with Daniel’s guitar recorded far too low in the mix. Sadly there were no multi-tracks so a re-mix wasn’t possible. These are the only 3 tracks worth salvaging from the tape. It’s a shame, as audience bootlegs show that Bauhaus were always a dynamic live band right from their early shows.
7. Poem
Recorded at Space Place, Chicago 9 September 1980
This is from a bootleg and it’s a bit of fun that Peter employed during some of the 1980 shows.
REVIEWS
And an excellent ‘Re-issue of the month’ in Record Collector
The ever-readable Drowned in Sound