Synth fans rejoyce!
Dave | 07/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First off, this album is so much more than just "tainted love". The second track (Soft Cell's biggest hit) was the first reason I looked forward to hearing the CD.Although a good song, the best part of this album is the remaining 16 songs written by Soft Cell (17 including "Where did our love go?").This trashy, sleazy, synthy album is a must for any fan of 80s synth pop. I got the album with the extra tracks on it from a friend of mine after I told him about my music tastes. He insisted that I listen to this album, and I have loved it ever since.Besides the main hit, there are other songs that are even better (in my opinion). What makes these songs so good is the song writing (much like bands such as Depeche Mode... although the songs are NOT the same)Sex Dwarf, one of the best songs off the album, is a song that sings a chorus about "Luring disco dollies to a life of vice". How can anyone refuse an album that combines the classic catchy 80s synth with amazing lyrics? For an ok remix of this song check out "Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing" (1983). Also on the album is the song "Bedsitter", which speaks of the dirtier, non-glamorus side of the party/club life. Among the lyrics are phrases like:"Clean my teeth and comb my hair / and look for something ... new to wear/ start this night life ... over again / and kid-my-self I'm having fun..."Other songs like "Secret Life" have catchy intro's that take you easily throughout the song, and again the lyrics are worth noticing:"In your little black book / You got the names and the faces of your favorite pursuasions of the people in the headlines / I'm in there under "A" / you got me rated under "B" / you got photographs to prove it all / but I swear to God its not me..." ... Classic!Other songs like Youth, Say hello..., and others... I could just sit here and praise them for hours.Along with amazing lyrics, smooth sleazy synths and loud smashing drum machines, this import of the album contains some extra tracks. The extra tracks are good, (Memorabilia, What, Where did our love go, in particular) and a great overall bonus of the album. The whole cd runs almost 74 1/2 minutes, I loved the fact they filled it with as much as possible!If your not a fan of synth pop the album my still interest you because of the unique lyrics (especially for the early 80's). Although, if synth pop is really not your favorite thing to listen to, you may get sick of the sound.Besides the great songwritting, the album does have a really cool electronic sound. Its totally a classic, get it for "Tainted Love" if you want, but take a minute and listen to the other great tracks."
Forefathers of Synthpop
Jennifer Brown | Glen Allen, VA USA | 10/12/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I had a hard time classifying this album. Is it early techno/indutrail? Goth? New Wave? Pop? I stuck with pop simply because everyone knows Tainted Love as a pop song, but this album really shows how talented and underrated Soft Cell were. This album was miles ahead of its time, and despite being over 20 years old, wouldn't seem out of place in a any modern club. If all you know from them is Tainted Love, do yourself a favor and buy this album now"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1