1992 4AD reissue of their debut, originally released for theesteemed label in 1981. Features seven bonus tracks, including all five of the cuts from their 1983 'Gathering Dust' EP: 'Gathering Dust', 'Smiles And Laughter', ... more »'Mesh AndLace', 'Tranquility', 'Home', 'Swans On Glass' & 'Incident'.15 tracks total.« less
1992 4AD reissue of their debut, originally released for theesteemed label in 1981. Features seven bonus tracks, including all five of the cuts from their 1983 'Gathering Dust' EP: 'Gathering Dust', 'Smiles And Laughter', 'Mesh AndLace', 'Tranquility', 'Home', 'Swans On Glass' & 'Incident'.15 tracks total.
CD Reviews
My irascible friend
loteq | Regensburg | 07/31/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This 72-minute CD is a compilation of ME's 1981 debut and several worthy bonus tracks from early singles and EPs. The band is primarily known for its 1982 hit single "I melt with you", but "Mesh and lace" marks a more aggressive stance and has few in common with the 4AD label's usual brand of sophisticated dream pop. However, for an essentially punk-based band the musical range here is quite impressive, sounding like a confluence between Joy Division's early material and Wire's arty "154". On the other hand, "Mesh and lace" is clearly a debut album; there's a fair amount of mediocre material which comes up with lots of pointless guitar feedback but no real substance. The best songs can be found among the extra tracks. The roaring "Gathering dust", the highly dramatic title cut, and "Smiles and laughter" are manic, sweeping gems. The atmospheric "Grief", "Tranquility" with its environmental sounds, and "Incident" with its staccato riffs have good ideas, too. Fans of ME's later work may not like the darkness and self-indulgent attitude of "Mesh and lace", but most of this album works well as angry, depressed mood music."
One of my all-time favorite albums.
S. Thompson | Torrance, CA United States | 04/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It reaches the deep aches and soothes the soul. It remindes me of times long ago when life was so terrible and it gives me a place to echo the longing for something so much more than what I have. It is wonderful. It is one of my favorite albums of all time.Mesh and Lace is melodic, trance-like, and moody. It's there when I need to have music that understands what I've been through in my life. It is very personal.Mesh and Lace is a collector's item. If you own it, you will know what a priceless treasure you truly have."
Spectacular
velvet_mornings | MIami, FL, USA | 08/15/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A darkly ambiented realm of unsettling yet perfect bass, guitar drums et al harmonies,...of the gothic Bauhaus / Joy Division tradition. This album, being the only one that they've released that follows in this pattern, is utterly my favorite of them all.
..."
When is Modern English NOT Modern English?
John Sledd | Woodbridge, VA United States | 03/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I was a kid, I bought this album on vinyl thinking it would be like the Modern English I'd heard (and loved) in After the Snow and Ricochet Days. It wasn't. And to be quite honest, at first, I really didn't care for it much at all. It's like cream cheese and peanut butter. You might like both but if you're expecting one when you bite into another, the initial shock can be unpleasant.
Mesh and Lace wound up being one of my favorite albums of all time. It's one of those sonic Bibles that helped shape me as a thinking being. I've been without Mesh and Lace for years as I've been without a turntable as well, so I recently picked up the CD and have been reliving the experience. And, best of all, it comes with bonus tracks. Some of which even sound a *bit* more like the Modern English of the two previously mentioned albums.
If you are a huge Melt with You fan, I can't promise you'll like Mesh and Lace. But if you like pure, raw, unbridled creativity, I think you'll be quite a fan.
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1