[quote author=“AnnaLogue”]
Also I have a heavy Cabaret Voltaire (their pre-bleep era) flashback for a last week, these guys were so damn ahead of their time..
strangely i never found much access to or interest in CV - i once bought their Crackdown album from 1983 and didn’t find it much entertaining. a song here and there from samplers then, but i only got electrified with “Automotivation” that i know from Various - The Tyranny Of The Beat - Original Soundtracks From The Grey Area.
so what is THEE cv album/tracks to hear that justifies their cult status ?
I love The Cabs very much although I have to admit that their late 80’s / early 90’s albums are reasonable at best with only a few good moments. They were under a lot of pressure to go pop/dance and actually sell records, not ideas and propositions. From the uninspired “Code” onwards they were effectively destroying their cult status with “Groovy, Laidback & Nasty” being their low point: “Phil Collins does a house record” :cry: “. They shoot horses don’t they?
Thefollowing ambient records were actually solo records by Richard( as Mal had left for Oz) and could be from an entirely different band altogether. Not essential Cabs listening.
So you don’t want to go there, now let’s give you some good recommendations.
The “Crackdown” is a great record, try and find the version with the brilliant bonus 12”, but “Microphonies” is better. One of their best, with Do Right, Blue Heat & Sensoria. Also listen to their 12” “Yashar”. “The Covenant, The Sword And The Arms Of The Lord” is also very good even if the record is a bit eclectic covering different styles.
Another highpoint is the 1985 double 12” “Drinking Gasoline”. Brilliant funky electrowave. The CD’s “Radiation” and “Live At The Hacienda” give a good impression of how great they were on stage.
“Eight Crepuscule Tracks” then. I like this early 80’s compilation a lot. They were going through a transitional fase from industrial post punk experimentation to a more electronic sound with elements of funk and disco after Chris left for a dream job at Tyne&Tees; Television.
Their earlier records are all brilliant. “Red Mecca” is my favorite from that period, with “The Voice Of America” a close second.
“74-78” is a compilation of tracks from their pre “NanNagNag” days. “The Attic Tapes” 3CD box covers the same period, but is highly recommended if you like to hear more of their earliest outings.
The “Conform To Deform’‘82/‘90” box contrary to it’s title covers mainly their late 80’s period with rare house remixes. Not my favorite.
Hoping to have helped you a bit further.
