Bauhaus Album: “Press the Eject and Give Me the Tape”

I enjoy the music on this CD immensely. PRESS the EJECT... is a recording of various performances of the band BAUHAUS from the early 1980s. BAUHAUS may not have invented gothic rock, even so, they were the first to popularise it and no band since has surpassed them. Their songs conform to a style of fiction characterised by the use of desolate or remote settings and macabre, mysterious, or violent incidents, the very essence of gothic art. I find the soundscape created by Mr Daniel Ash fascinating. There is very little melodic component as he creates an overwhelming aural sensation. Mrrs J and Haskins provide an industrial strength rhythm section which allows Mr Ash the room to create these sensory assaults. Mr Peter Murphy sings in a sometimes detached, sometimes emotional, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, sometimes phonetic, ecclectic style. This live performance is more amazing to me because this complicated presentation would be difficult to control in lesser hands. One of my interests in this CD is in two songs which present spiritual issues, ROSE GARDEN FUNERAL of SORES & STIGMATA MARTYR. RGFOS is a poem by Mr John Cale which presents a poignant and insightful view of the difficulties of maintaining a spiritual connection in a secular world. SM is in the style of a Medieval Meditation. The Gothic period is generally from the 12th through the 16th centuries. Although these types of prayers are foriegn and perhaps, unsettling to our current sensibilities, BAUHAUS has very accurately portrayed a common form of prayer practiced by well respected mystics such as Mother Julian of Norwich (1342-1443). SM is an exceptional example of the band. Mr Murphy gives a passionate performance while Mr Ash expands the sonic limits of his instrument. Mrrs J and Haskins are in lock. I find these pieces a rewarding, mystical and musical experience of a sincere and serious spiritual expression. If you are interested in Gothic Rock Music or in songs with serious lyrical content, this CD will be interesting to you.

I've loved Bauhuas since 1983. I have 6 of their CD's. Obviously then, I am biased.

"Press the Eject and Give me the Tape" is a tremendous piece of work. Without question, Bauhaus can replicate their sound and then some in a live forum. If you are familiar with Bauhuas, that is no small feat. Their sound is rich and haunting; one would speculate that they could only do what they do in a studio. This CD proves otherwise.

I am partial to "Rose Garden Funeral of Sores." Regardless of my preferences, this CD is full of amazing sounds, music, and lyrics. The songs range from haunting to absolutely mind blowing in the energy.

If you are a Bauhuas fan, you'll love and cherish this CD. I don't understand how you wouldn't. That is why I give it five stars.

I really doubt that someone, who is not familiar with Bauhaus, would be reading these reviews. If you've never heard their music, you may want to start elsewhere, i.e. "Burning from the Inside."

Buy this album for the re-worked, and highly enhanced version of The Man with X-Ray Eyes, as it is the root and pith of this amazing live recording. The album is worth buying for that song alone.

Richard C Williams

If you want a perfect slice of goth rock, get this album just for the live reworking of "The Man With X-Ray Eyes", it's worth it alone. The whole album proves how Bauhaus shouldn't be confined to just a "goth" status -- they're a great rock n roll band in the vein of Bowie, VU, Stooges, T.Rex. A hip-swinging, finger-snapping, blood-sucking good time.

"thats what i was just going to say, no this is how it goes, maxell break the sound barrier..."

really like the bonus tracks...

man with x ray eyes is the best of bauhuas...

phenominal...