V.A: A Life Less Lived (The Gothic Box) 2006

 

Gothic rock (also called goth rock or simply goth) is a style of rock music that emerged from post-punk in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. The first post-punk bands which shifted towards dark music with gothic overtones include Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, Bauhaus, and the Cure.
                                     

VIRGIN PRUNES

The genre itself was defined as a separate movement from post-punk. Gothic rock stood out due to its darker sound, with the use of primarily minor or bass chords, reverb, dark arrangements, or dramatic and melancholic melodies, having inspirations in gothic literature allied with themes such as sadness, existentialism, nihilism, dark romanticism, tragedy, melancholy and morbidity.

NICK CAVE

These themes are often approached poetically. The sensibilities of the genre led the lyrics to represent the evil of the century and the romantic idealization of death and the supernatural imagination.

X MAL DEUTSCHLAND

Musicians who initially shaped the aesthetics and musical conventions of gothic rock include Marc Bolan, the Velvet Underground, the Doors, David Bowie, Brian Eno and Iggy Pop.

THE MARCH VIOLETS

Journalist Kurt Loder would write that the song "All Tomorrow's Parties" by the Velvet Underground is a "mesmerizing gothic-rock masterpiece". However, Reynolds considers Alice Cooper as "the true ungodly godfather of goth" due to his "theatrics and black humor".

THE ROSE OF AVALANCE

Nico's 1968 album The Marble Index is sometimes described as "the first Goth album". With its stark sound, somber lyrics, and Nico's deliberate change in her look, the album became a crucial music and visual prototype for the gothic rock movement.

THE CULT

Gothic rock creates a dark atmosphere by drawing influence from the drones used by protopunk group the Velvet Underground, and many gothic singers are influenced by the "deep and dramatic" vocal timbre of David Bowie, albeit singing at even lower pitches.

THE SISTERS OF MERCY

Gothic rock then gave rise to a broader goth subculture that included clubs, fashion and publications in the 1980s, 1990s, and into the 21st century.

THE CREATURES

J.G. Ballard was a strong lyrical influence for many of the early gothic rock groups; the Birthday Party drew on Arthur Rimbaud and Charles Baudelaire.
Although gothic rock is an offshoot of post-punk, glam rock is another forerunner genre of gothic rock. Pitchfork wrote: "Although it abandoned the psychedelic color palette and exchanged alien worship for a vampire cult, goth kept glam's theatricality intact, as well as its openness to experimentation."

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

However, Bauhaus's debut single, "Bela Lugosi's Dead", released in late 1979, was retrospectively considered to be the beginning of the gothic rock genre.

SOUTHERN DEATH CULT

[Musically, this is a mixed bag. Liz Goodman produced this set and for the most part, she did an excellent job. There are some problematic selections, and of course the stuff that's not here is just as troubling, but then that's what themed various artist box sets are about.

SEX GANG CHILDREN

Disc one kicks off with Joy Division's "Dead Souls." While it's true that the overwhelming majority would look to JD as one of the penultimate Goth progenitors, it's still an argumentative choice. What about Bauhaus? The Sisters of Mercy? Uh huh. March Violets? Of course.

THE DANSE SOCIETY

Danse Society? You bet. Virgin Prunes? OK, but that's only part of what they were about as a band. The point is, so many of these selections may have been embraced by those who love Goth music, but weren't bands that necessarily tried, or even wanted to, appeal to that gloom and doom rock & roll subculture.

MIRANDA SEX GARDEN

Another instance: the Misfits "Halloween" is here, but nothing from former frontman Glenn Danzig's Black Aria project, which is overtly Gothic music. The Misfits, the Damned, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Echo & the Bunnymen, Throbbing Gristle, Einstürzende Neubauten, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, the Birthday Party, Ministry, and the Chameleons U.K. just don't belong here.

SIOUXSIE SIOUX & ROBERT SMITH

The Cure is deeply arguable as well. And then there's the sheer volume of post-Bauhaus projects included here. You get the original, but was it necessary to include Tones on Tail, Love and Rockets, Dali's Car, or Peter Murphy's (or "Blitz" as he was known to the late John Peel) and Daniel Ash's solo properties?

MINISTRY

There are some genius choices here too, though, such as Kommunity FK's "To Blame," .45 Grave's "Party Time," the Cranes' "Starblood," and Rose of Avalanche's "Dreamland," are just a few.

LOVE AND ROCKETS

There are some rather interesting choices in London After Midnight's "Kiss," Red Lorry Yellow Lorry's "Walking on Your Hands," and Ghost Dance's "The Grip of Love."

KILLING JOKE

Much of the standard fare is here as well: "Bela Lugosi's Dead" is here on DVD, as is "She's in Parties," "Snake Dance" by the March Violets, the Cocteau Twins' "Blood Bitch," and tracks by Flesh for Lulu, Gene Loves Jezebel, Xmal Deustschland, Sex Gang Children, and Southern Death Cult.

JOY DIVISION

It's great as far as it goes. But what about all the bands on the Projekt label, the longest running, willfully Goth project out there for almost two decades? These are the most obvious omissions, but there certainly are others.

FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM

Where is Mass and the other half-a-dozen 4AD bands who most certainly were Goth? It appears that Goodman was too selective in places and not subjective in others.
By Thom Jurek]

GENE LOVES JEZEBEL

In his insightful notes for Rhino's unprecedented new box, Goth expert Mick Mercer writes, Goth blossomed on the gritty soil of punk; forever indebted, essentially different.

FLESH FOR LULU

It has survived all manner of invective and unhealthy assumptions to become a shining example of music made because it needs to be, not because of anything the performers expect to get out of it. This is art which gets inside your heart.

Einstürzende Neubauten

The artists featured on this 3CD & 1 DVD collection, the most comprehensive of its kind, indeed created affecting music about what passionately mattered to them, and what started as intense personal expression evolved into a 'lifestyle' for the core audience who most embraced its deep and dark ethos.

Reveling in introspection and entranced with sex, death, the life of the mind, and musical poetry, Goth's power to fascinate has never waned, making it one of the most complex and enduring sub-sets of underground music ever.

DEAD CAN DANCE

(Perhaps the most mocked, maligned, and misunderstood of rock subgenres, goth's gloomy aesthetic encompasses a host of different styles: glam, punk, metal, disco, New Wave, industrial, psychedelia, murder ballads, classical, and endless permutations thereof.

DALI'S CAR

Stranger still, it has thrived outside the mainstream for nearly 30 years even as many of its major artists have experienced some degree of pop success: The Cure, Siouxsie Sioux, Ian Astbury, Nick Cave, and the Bauhaus family have all emerged from their coffins into the Top 40 at some point.

COCTEAU TWINS

Others, such as Echo & the Bunnymen, Jesus & Mary Chain, and Ministry, aren't expressly goth but share enough affinity for the theatrical and/or macabre to merit inclusion on Rhino's A Life Less Lived.

CHRISTIAN DEATH

Notwithstanding the cheesy leatherette packaging, this 3-CD/1-DVD set is as comprehensive a survey as possible for a label that applies equally to the Misfits' horror-punk, Einstürzende Neubauten's sturm and clang, and Dead Can Dance's wispy arcana.

CLAN OF XYMOX

Save godfather-of-goth Alice Cooper, all the figureheads are well-represented, including their work before, after, and between their best-known bands: the Birthday Party, Tones on Tail, Creatures, Dali's Car, Southern Death Cult. Either by influence or simply their ever-changing lineup, the Sisters of Mercy alone seem responsible for every third song.

BAUHAUS

The few American groups to dent the scene – Christian Death, 45 Grave, Kommunity FK – get their due, while floridly named forgotten heroes like Alien Sex Fiend and Lords of the New Church are resurrected in all their eldritch glory. The DVD is predictably top-notch: "Lullaby," "Bela Lugosi's Dead," "Cities in Dust," etc.

These days, goth may mean a Hot Topic fashion victim to most or a convenient tag to hang on angsty bands like Evanescence, AFI, and My Chemical Romance, but even that demonstrates its pervasive influence and undead staying power. Release the bats. )

V.A - A Life Less Lived (The Gothic Box)
Label: Rhino Records – R2 73374
Format:    Box Set
3 x CD, Compilation, Remastered
DVD, DVD-Video, Compilation
Country: US
Released: Sep 19, 2006
Genre: Rock
Style: Alternative Rock, Industrial, Indie Rock, New Wave, Goth Rock, Dark Wave

CD1.

                                   

01. Joy Division: Dead Souls    4:55
02. The Cure: Charlotte Sometimes    4:12
03. Bauhaus: She's In Parties    5:44
04. The Sisters Of Mercy: Temple Of Love    7:41
05. Tones On Tail: Christain Says    3:42
06. The Birthday Party: Mutiny In Heaven    4:15
07. Siouxsie & The Banshees: Spellbound    3:17
08. The Southern Death Cult: Fatman    3:45
09. Love And Rockets: Mirror People    4:05
10. Fields Of The Nephilim: Power    4:42
11. Alien Sex Fiend: Now I'm Feeling Zombified    9:16
12. The March Violets: Snake Dance    4:08
13. Red Lorry Yellow Lorry: Walking On Your Hands    2:38
14. Specimen: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang    4:19
15. The Mission UK: Wasteland    4:46
16. Ghost Dance: The Grip Of Love    3:07
17. Dali's Car:    His Box    4:39

MP3 @ 320 Size: 185 MB
Flac  Size: 532 MB

CD2.

                                      

01. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: The Weeping Song    4:23
02. The Creatures: Exterminating Angel    5:49
03. Death Cult: God's Zoo    3:25
04. Gene Loves Jezebel:    Heartache    4:22
05. Flesh For Lulu: I Go Crazy    3:50
06. Peter Murphy: Cuts You Up    5:27
07. The Lords Of The New Church: Open Your Eyes    3:28
08. The Danse Society: Heaven Is Waiting    3:44
09. Echo & The Bunnymen: All My Colours    4:02
10. The Chameleons UK: Don't Fall    4:04
11. The Rose Of Avalanche: Dreamland    3:58
12. The Jesus And Mary Chain: Fall    2:28
13. Daniel Ash: Coming Down Fast    2:55
14. Clan Of Xymox: Muscoviet Mosquito    4:31
15. X Mal Deutschland: Incubus Succubuss II    4:47
16. Cranes: Starblood    3:37
17. Miranda Sex Garden: Ardera Sempre    4:51
18. Cocteau Twin: Blood Bitch    4:36
19. Dead Can Dance: The Arcane    3:46

MP3 @ 320 Size: 183 MB
Flac  Size: 524 MB

CD3.

                           

01. The Cult: Rain    3:57
02. The Bolshoi: Away    4:55
03. Rubicon: Watch Without Pain    4:39
04. Virgin Prunes: Pagan Lovesong    3:28
05. Einstürzende Neubauten: Morning Dew    4:53
06. Throbbing Gristle: Hamburger Lady    4:09
07. Kommunity FK: To Blame    5:22
08. The Damned: Melody Lee    2:07
09. Christian Death: Romeo's Distress    3:16
10. 45 Grave: Party Time    3:17
11. London After Midnight: Kiss    6:22
12. Sex Gang Children: Dieche    4:30
13. Skinny Puppy: Assimilate    6:57
14. Misfits: Halloween    1:47
15. Killing Joke: Tomorrow's World    5:27
16. Ministry: So What    8:13
17. AFI: The Hanging Garden    4:22

MP3 @ 320 Size: 182 MB
Flac  Size: 533 MB

Krokodil: 50 Years Anniversary Releases (3 Albums 1969 - 1970 - 1971)

 

Krokodil (German for "Crocodile") were constantly promoted by the labels they signed to as a

Krautrock band, yet though they had the spirit of Krautrock in their veins, the truth was that they were Swiss! Naturally, Liberty tried to present them as the Krautrock answer to The Groundhogs. Well, Krokodil did have blues origins, they really knew how to rock-it and had a flair for the experimental, so they did have the same sort of attitude as The Groundhogs.
                                       

But, all that aside, Krokodil were innovators in their own right, not at all copyist, except for maybe their

John Mayall type roots. Like most Swiss bands, Krokodil were an unlikely combo, mostly of German-Swiss extraction, with one Englishman: Terry Stevens. Early on, the quoted "Swiss Bob Dylan" Hardy Hepp seemed to be in control, his softer folk and blues mix, and Mojo Weideli's harmonica, gave them a more down-to-earth sound.
                                         

Krokodil emerged in the late 60's as a blues-rock band that put progressive touches into their

music. They were of German-Swiss extraction with bassist and guitarist Terry Stevens being the only foreigner in the band, coming form England. They were regarded as the Swiss version of the Groundhogs due to their first album.
                           

However, from their 2nd album Swamp they started to introduce a psychedelic sound to their

music, a sound which is very much dominant on Invisible World Revealed. In that album they make use of mellotron, organ, harmonica and flute all backed up by an acoustic guitar which give the album an exotic and stoned feeling to it. The eastern and Indian influences in this album are present through the sitar and tabla in the 15 minutes suite Odyssey In Om.
                        

The blues here gives way to the psychedelics, ethnic sounds and vocal harmonies, but it is still there. Getting up For The Morning continues the same style (in a new label, Bacillus) but they became more succinct in their approach to composition and it was more of a song oriented album than its predecessor.
                         

A band not to be missed by anyone who likes blues, psychedelic and ethnic in his music and does not mind them being mingled together. Even though they are tough to find, their 3rd album is very much worth the bother.

KROKODIL 50 Years Anniversary Releases

[Merlin] FUGA Aggregation (on behalf of the record company Swiss Treasure Recordings)
                                                                             

1. Krokodil
LP Liberty LBS 83306 (1969)
CD Second Battle, Germany, SB 052 (1998)

2. Swamp
LP Liberty LBS 83417 (1970)
CD Second Battle, Germany, SB 053 (1999)

3. An Invisible World Revealed
LP United Artists UAS 29250 (1971)
LP Gold 11160 (Switzerland, 1982)
CD Second Battle, Germany, SB 054 (1999)
                                

1969 - KROKODIL [44:02]

                                       

The 1969 debut opens with a hard blues version of Morning Dew. The Swiss band was often labelled as

krautrock but here they just play hard psychedelic blues like many other bands of the era. The focus is on guitar and blues harmonica over a dynamic rhythm section.
Only on the last track - appropriately named Dabble in Om - things get slightly experimental, including violin and sitar and longer improvisation.

TRACKS

                                           

01. Morning Dew (4:41)
02. You're Still A Part Of Me (6:29)
03. All Alone (3:57)
04. Mis Blues (3:20)
05. Prayer (4:14)
06. Watchin' Chain (6:59)
07. Dabble In Om (9:39)

Bonus Tracks:

08. Don't Make Promises (4:00)
09. Hurra! Live (3:05)
10. Camel Is Top (2:56)

LINE - UP / MUSICIANS:
                                

Hardy Hepp  (violin, piano, vocal)
Düde Dürst  (drums, percussion, vocal)
Walty Anselmo  (sitar, lead guitar, vocal)
Terry Stevens  (bass, guitar, vocal)
Mojo Weideli  (harmonica, flute, percussion)

MP3 @ 320 Size: 117 MB
FLAC  Size: 308 MB

1970 - SWAMP [42:08]

                                                

This record opens with a sort of stoned/bored monotone vocal track set to a fairly nondescript musical track, not a very auspicious beginning really but a bit misleading. The band quickly improves their

sound on the next track "Light of Day" with what sounds like both a piano and organ, plus some sitar, flute, violin and harmonica set to a hazy vocal track (in English no less). Like I said, this one sounds closer to progressive folk than Krautrock as far as I'm concerned. This impression is further strengthened by the easygoing "Sunlight's Beautiful Daughter" with its languid male vocal harmonies, soft harmonica and simple beat. This is actually one of the better tracks on an overall solid album even if it does sound every bit as dated as it actually is.
                            

Same goes for "Tell Me What You Want" which sounds more like a post-Beat late sixties band in

transition. Come to think of it, that's probably what these guys were at the time. Not unlike the first couple of Moody Blues albums except for the harmonica.
                          

The next couple of tracks ("Blue Flashing Circle", "Snow White & Blue") have a Byrds-like soft psych folk vibe to them that is endearing even if it isn't very progressive or original. Makes me want to paint a peace sign on my shirt and go pick flowers in the park. Nice stuff but again - very dated.
                           

"Human Bondage" is the longest and most unusual track on the album. I'm reminded of Van Morrison

by not only the vocals but also the introspective and 'wizened old sage' tone of the lyrics. The plain piano and quiet semi-falsetto backing vocals also sound like some of the stuff Van Morrison did in the early seventies. The piano and flute dominate musically here, and again I'm having as tough time understanding how this is a Krautrock record.
                          

The CD reissue has three bonus tracks that are a bit rougher than the rest of the album, and also show a stronger blues-rock influence than the original works. These are okay tunes, I just don't quite get why they were included here.

TRACKS

                                        

01. Get Your Personality Together (3:13)
02. Light of Day (5:23)
03. Sunlights Beautiful Daughter (5:46)
04. Tell Me What You Want (3:02)
05. Blue Flashing Circle (3:30)
06. Snow White and Blue (4:12)
07. Human Bondage (8:03)

Bonus Tracks:

08. Gipsy Man (3:51)
09. That's What I Do (3:00)
10. Stehaufmädchen Trailer (2:08)

LINE - UP / MUSICIANS:
                         

Walty Anselmo  (bass, sitar, vocals)
Düde Dürst  (percussion, drums)
Veit Feiden  (keyboards, vocals (backing vocals)
Herdy Hepp  (violin, keyboards) (guitar)
Terry Stevens  (bass, guitar, vocals)
Mojo Weideli  (flute, harmonica)

MP3 @ 320 Size: 102 MB
Flac  Size: 264 MB

1971 - AN INVISIBLE WORLD REVEALED  [1:17:43]

                                      

Progressive rock from Switzerland with blues-rock, folk, heavy prog and minor symphonic

elements. The band is often listed under krautrock, but it lacks the psychedelic, free and obscure feel that most bands from this genre have. This third album by Krokodil is actually pretty well produced (thinking of it, this record aged really well for a recording in 1971) and sounds therefore more like Grobschnitt (albeit way less symphonic). The artwork is great, with a nice inlay and a booklet added to the recent Second Battle vinyl reprint.
                                      

'An Invisible World Revealed' has two longer tracks and four short tracks. In their longer compositions the band explores different atmospheres, but thrives during intense heavy rock progressions with great sounding guitars and a harmonica to give to music its own vibe. Some of

these parts sounds ahead of its time, which I find pleasurable for no apparent reason. During the folky parts the band explores tribal folk, American folk/country (perhaps mostly because of the harmonica) and a bit of psychedelic folk. On the shorter tracks we can also find more straightforward tracks like the moody opening track 'Lade of Attraction' and the blues-rock ending 'Last Doors'. The main weakness of the band are the vocals, that often have dull melodies and a dubious tonal quality. Luckily the vocals aren't off-putting and absent during most of the time.
                                

Conclusion. Very well produced progressive rock with great heavy prog moments and some interesting folk moments. Not 'highly recommended' because of the lack of really memorable songs or melodies, but pleasant for perhaps a large range of listeners of the progressive rock genre - I certainly can think of no reason to actively dislike it. Recommended to collectors of heavy prog/psych, folk prog, krautrock and early seventies rarities with great artwork.
                                

An eclectic Swiss quartet who mix acoustic, Eastern mysticism, Jazz, Funk and Psychedelia into a chill, laidback brew. Regular ditties alternate with epic tracks featuring loose, somewhat unfocused but able playing. Thin production and inconsistency mar what could have been a compellingly adventurous platter but the strength of the best make this one of the more spin-worthy relics of obscureland. An interesting and representative artifact of its time.
                           

Krokodil is an brilliant band that created a mesmerizing blend of psych, prog, blues, and early

jazz fusion. Fans of Hawkwind, Can, Ash Ra Temple, Yes, and early Pink Floyd should check out this album. The best thing about the music is that it stays rooted in the blues and uses the mellotron, harp, sitar, congas, harmonica, and flute to provide gorgeous accents that never overpower the music. The whole album has a groovy laid back vibe that is very listenable. Highly recommended!
 

TRACKS

                                       

01. Lady of Attraction (4:21)
02. With Little Miss Trimmings (1:42)
03. Oddyssey In Om (15:19)
04. Green Fly (4:23)
05. Looking At Time (14:03)
06. Last Doors (4:00)

Bonus Tracks:

07. Pollution (3:41)
08. Krokodil Session Part 1 (11:26)
09. Krokodil Session Part 2 (11:42)
10. Don't Make Promises (4:00)
11. Hurra! (3:05)

LINE - UP / MUSICIANS:
                                       

Walty Anselmo  (guitars, sitar, bass, vocals)
Terry Stevens  (bass, guitar, mellotron, vocals)
Mojo Weideli  (flute, harmonica, vocals)
Düde Dürst  (drums, percussion, vocals)

MP3 @ 320 Size: 164 MB
Flac  Size: 488 MB

A KOALA WITH  A JOINT

A Koala was sitting on a tree smoking a joint
when a little lizard passed under,
he looked up and said:

                                         

"Hey koala what are you doing?"

                                       

The Koala said:
"I'm smoking a Joint, Come up and smoke with me."

                                                    

And so the lizard climbed on the tree, he sat next to Koala
and smoked some joints.
After a while, the lizard said that his mouth has dried up
and he will go to drink water from the river.

The little lizard was so stoned,
he leaned over and fell into the river.
A crocodile saw him,

                                             

The Crocodile swam next to him
and helped him to get out of the water.
Then he asked the lizard:
"What is happening to you?"

The lizard explained to the crocodile that he was sitting
with a Koala on a tree, they smoked a lot of joints
and he was soooooo much stoned, that he fell into the river
as he drank water.

The crocodile said: "OK! I will go and see"
So, he went into the forest, found the tree
where the Koala was sitting smoking the joints.
The crocodile looked up and said:

                                

"Hey! You !"
And the Koala looked down and said:

                                     

"Wow! Hey lizard!"
How much water have you drunk?