Disco de Bauhaus: “In The Flat Field”

A lot has already been said about this album, and I'm not likely to top it, but suffice it to say, In The Flat Field is one of the best debut albums ever, and for an album now nearly 30 years old, it still sounds so fresh and different. The extras included in this set are wonderful: several previously unreleased versions, most of which are every bit as good as their more well known counterparts. And the book and packaging are beautiful and well worth the price.

But don't go throwing out your single-disc edition, as there are a couple of things NOT included in this box set, namely being the single versions of Telegram Sam & Terror Couple Kill Colonel (Both available on the previously released single-disc version

).

For reference, because Amazon doesn't list the version names on disc two:

1 Dark Entries (Singles A Side - AD 3 [A])

2 A God In An Alcove (Original Version)

3 Untitled (Single B Side - AD 3 [B])

4 Terror Couple Kill Colonel (Original Beck Version) *

5 Telegram Sam (Original Beck Version) *

6 Terror Couple Kill Colonel (Single B Side - AD 7 [B])

7 Scopes (Single B Side - AD 7 [B])

8 Terror Couple Kill Colonel (Southern Mix #2) *

9 Crowds (Single B Side - AD 17T [B])

10 Dive (Out-Take / Alternative Mix) *

11 Spy In The Cab (Out-Take / Alternative Mix) *

12 Stigmata Martyr (Out-Take / Alternative Mix) *

13 Rosegarden Funeral Of Sores (Single B Side - AD 17T [B])

14 Double Dare (Alternative Verson / Mix #4) *

15 Telegram Sam (Alternative Mix #1) *

16 Untitled 2 *

* denotes previously unreleased tracks

This debut album from Bauhaus .is seminal in terms of launching what was then a form of punk unclassified and yet undetermined, but never the less important and beyond all other influences at the time. From art student and what?, a tin can, half realized punk band, what formed between the four members, specifically Murphy and Ash was pure magic. Japan came close to this style, butr not really. They just didin't get how wonderful the dark edges could be as a creative tool. I miss the band but am glad about all my experiences regarding my childhood and Bauhaus.

Although the tracklisting is similar in many places to the "Singles Vol. 1" album, I'd choose this one between the two. You get all the memorable songs from that disc (outside of Bela Lugosi's Dead, which is probably their most well known song).

I'd just ignore the Cure-fanboyish rant from "whatever (lost)" below. The Cure and Joy Division are very respectable bands but Bauhaus deserves just as much credit as any band for moving this "style" ahead. Just because some simpler brains won't be able to tolerate something beyond your standard oh-so-glum goth stuff from those other two aformentioned bands doesn't mean Bauhaus isn't outstanding. Just because Bauhaus throws in a few curveballs here and there doesn't mean they're any less respectable or less worthy of their lofty status among fans.

Although being the band that basically created a musical genre and subcultural lifestyle, Bauhaus first and foremost are collective creative genius. You can argue all you want that bands like "Sisters of Mercy" and "Alien Sex Fiend" and "Specimen" (...and on into infinity) were superior to Bauhaus when it came to goth rock, but the truth is that none of the aforementioned bands touched on any of the styles that Bauhaus were able to dabble in with effortless perfection.

In The Flat Field being the first studio album from Bauhaus, the album showcases an array of goth rock cornerstones while also offering a handful of tracks showing that Bauhaus were definitely willing and able to take risks. Dirge-y anthems such as "Double Dare", and "Stigmata Martyr", basically set the template for what gothic music was supposed to sound like. However, with tracks such as "God In An Alcove", and "Dark Entries" the band seem to be saying to the intended audience "Who says we can't dance AND be mopey bastards?". Taking time away from crunchy death-rock and post-punk goth musings, the real artistry that would later be found on Bauhaus waxwork's "Swing the Heartache BBC Recordings" and "Sky's Gone Out" is shown briefly in such experimental pieces as "Nerves", "Rosegarden Funeral of Sores", and "Crowds". The only downfall? The just barely forgiveable cover of "Telegram Sam" that seems to have been put on every recording they ever did just to spite me.

So let's take in everything we've learned. Bauhaus created a genre, birthed a subculture of death-obsessed rock n' roll that could be spooky, dancey, and experimental all at once without losing site of a unique vision. This is the album where it started and if you're interested in learning about the Gothic subculture, or just curious to find a band that may very well expand your musical horizens, this is the album to start with.

Key Tracks: "Stigmata Martyr", "God In An Alcove", "Nerves"

hello to all:

---Well about this disc is one of the best reedition set about a disc in fact not only the original and the singles discs are what its worth it to buy it, but in fact is the booklet thats makes this item one of the est complilation about a album.

Im a fan of bauhaus music not only this icon of gothic music also im fan of the side proyects of everyone of the members since peter murphy solo music, daniel ash, david j. and theirs bands togeder tones on tail, love and rockets (a big band)and also dali`s cars (a great disc) and this album has everything, music,photos and history to make a remembrance of the start of the band and all of the facts that the fan`s like but dont now.

I recomend this disc 100% and it`s worts the cost for bring all the way to Mexico