NRGrabe's Full Review: 1979-1983 Volume 1 by Bauhaus
The term Bauhaus, comes from a German art movement from the 30' and 40's that defined the style of genius in simplicity. Though not at all simple, Bauhaus defined the post punk era, and later where known as one of the bands the started "goth", along with Joy Division, the Cure and many bands from the Batcave movement in England.
Many times their music is straight and narrow, like a Bauhaus chair. The famed "Bela's Lugosi's Dead," used in many a Goth Talk skit and b- movie (Razor Blade Smile, the Hunger, just to name a few,) starts with a simple drum beat. It sounds strangely like a heartbeat and then falls into seas of guitar feedback and a creepy bassline. Peter Murphy's vocals are theatrical and dynamic, as is his stage performance, everything is romantic and over the top.
Among my favorites in this collection (there is a second volume to this and I had the tape that was a split of the two-but I will stop talking about tapes here as well...) are:
"Dark Entries"
Loud constant guitar and beautiful vocals. The line "we jumped into the bed degrading even lice..." makes use of the goth/decay imagery so alive in goth music.
"Stigmata Martyr"
You might remember this one from the movie Night of the Demons. As a girl gets possessed, this song plays. With good reason! There are backwards vocals or Latin here I don't know which! Either way, there is something very spooky going on at the end of this track.
"St. Vitus Dance"
I love the noise in this one. I can't reproduce it here. I think they are hitting a guitar with a rubber band. "Back in the good old days when dancing meant exploding, the idea was simple for a descent overloading..."
I don't know if they are talking about the disease here, but not dancing to this one may be one as well.
"A Spy in the Cab"
A slower song that makes use of Peter Murphy's scene of drama. He seems to tell stories in his works, and this over a beeping noise and simple guitar, creeps along very pleasantly.
"Mask"
I love this song! :) I can't even give it justice here, so buy it, ok?
I also would like to give credit to the other band members besides Murphy-- Daniel Ash, David J and Kevin Haskins, who went on to form the great band, Love and Rockets.
If you like this, you'll love:
Dali's Car (Peter Murphy side project)
Tones On Tail (a band Daniel Ash and Kevin Haskins were in before L&R)
Peter Murphy's solo works, especially "Deep"
"The Passion of Covers" (Various artists doing Bauhaus covers)
"Satori" (The same only it is Japanese bands covering them)
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