Search - After the Fire :: Der Kommissar: The CBS Recordings

Farenheit ATF

Gord Wilson | Bellingham, WA USA | 07/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The fire rages again in this two CD collection from this premier band of Brit new wave. All three of their CBS albums are on these CDs: Laser Love, 80-F, and No Batteries Required. Most of these songs never reached America, despite ATF's touring with ELO, Van Halen and Queen. The only LP record released in the states was called ATF: After the Fire, and featured the beautiful spectrum design by Roslav Szaybo that in Britain adorned the cover of No Batteries Required. The song line-ups, however, were not the same. The record was retitled "Der Kommissar" to tie in with ATF's hit version of Falco's song. ATF released the first English language version of this song, which proved so popular that at one time seven different versions played on the radio.



The CD releases are even more confusing. The original American record of ATF: After the Fire is nearly perfect, but it hasn't been released on CD. There is a single CD from Collectables with nearly the same song line-up retitled "Der Kommissar," but some of the songs have been replaced with disco or juke box versions (in my opinion, the album version of 'Dancing in the Shadows' is a lot better than the version here). This CD has the same Szaybo cover art and includes as extra songs a dub version of 'Der Kommissar' and the single 'Joy."



Another CD is available from from Rewind called ATF: After the Fire: Der Kommissar which features the spy silhouette graphics that originally appeared on the 12" Specially Extended Remixed record single of 'Der Kommissar' (the disco version) along with 'Nobody Else But You.' The Rewind CD collects 13 tracks from ATF's three CBS albums.



Thus, this double CD set is the best deal, as it includes all three of these albums, along with ten bonus tracks. You also get lyrics and brief liner notes. Under the CDs is a photo showing ten sleeves from the singles, including the spy silhouette cover and the inventive sleeve for the laser love single. The record was transparent orange vinyl, and the sleeve cut out so as to show the laser slicing through the band. That typifies the inventiveness of this great band (now reformed in a new line-up as ATF 2). Thanks to this relaunch on CD, those of us in the colonies who somehow missed the Brit new wave invasion can now catch the fire."

At last the whole story!

M. J. Rimmer | Halesowen, West Midlands United Kingdom | 04/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's been a frustration to me that for 20 years the only CDs of ATF stuff that have been available were the not very good American compilations with some of the later remakes on them. Now the whole story! All the CBS material plus a few B sides and live tracks thrown in for good measure. I was always a fan of Laser Love so having that album in full brings back some memories for me. The band were at their peak when I was a university student so a lot of this material brings back memories of travelling around the UK and going to gigs.



Listening to this and thinking about what the music scene was like back then, there is no doubt that ATF had a unique synth driven sound and knew how to rock when it suited them. As for favourites? Apart from singles like One Rule For You, Der Kommissar and Rich Boys, I love Billy Billy, Take Me Higher and Who's Gonna Love You?.



For Americans who only know the band because of the hit single Der Kommissar, you have to check this out and get the full story. And if you threw a bottle at them when they toured with Van Halen, here's a chance for you to see what you missed! talking of Van Halen, is it a coincidence that Eddie Van Halen composed the synth driven Jump after having After The Fire open for them? I don't think so. But don't let me sway you, listen to this excellent track packed double CD set and discover one of the most remarkable British rock bands of the late seventies/early eighties.



Only one quibble...why another compilation called Der Kommissar? don't be confused! Buy this double disc collection not the single disc namesakes."

Ditto "Cramos" review

DKDC | Washington, DC USA | 02/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dancing in the Shadows was wrecked on the compilation. This two disc set is the real deal (a couple songs on the first album were shortened to fit everything on two discs).



The first album is not as good as the other two - they got better as time went on. The last album is great! (The oouttake "bonus tracks" are welcome but most are not that good.)



If all you've heard is the American releases you are missing more than half of the great songs they put out!"