DEAD CAN DANCE

This is a great album to include in your Dead Can Dance collection, however it is not the bands' best work. When placed next to the remaining of the bands' catalog, DCD's debut sounds much removed stylistically from how they developed on subsequent releases. Even at this early stage the seeds of DCD's trademark sound is already being formed, although the music feels somewhat compromised by the traditional bass/drums/guitar rock/punk arrangements. "Ocean" is a particular highlight, and one of Lisa Gerrard's best vocal performances on a DCD record. Brendan Perry's songs are also well done, but his vocals are mixed with too much echo, making it very hard to understand what he's singing.

The 2008 re-masters all sound excellent, and the earliest albums benefit from this treatment the greatest. (When shopping look for the one's listed as "Re-Mastered, HYBRID SACD, and/or ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED"). These come in mini-LP style pockets, with a booklet inside containing reproductions of the record's sleeve (where the CD slips into), vinyl labels, a band photo, and lyrics to select songs. There will also be a gold obi card that hugs the spine.

Unfortunately the new remaster does NOT include the Garden of the Arcane Delights EP that was on the 1994 CD release, which would have added a star to my rating. 2.5 out of 5 stars.

(Adapted from my Amazon review)