Soft Cell - Torch

An underrated song, really underrated in fact. Although really I could say that about the vast majority of Soft Cell's work. Of course, they're most remembered for their classic take on Tainted Love but it's left the majority of their self penned work unappreciated. Torches  - along with Barriers - are my favourite Soft Cell tracks.

So, let's put the song in some context. It was released in May 1982, almost six months after the release of their debut album. Crucially, it didn't feature on Non Stop Erotic Cabaret. Having said that, subsequent deluxe editions of the album will feature it as a bonus track. It's also become a bonus track on subsequent reissues of Non Stop Estactic Dancing too. Naturally, it had 7" and 12" edits. Of the two - I prefer the 12". Only because it's a club song and 12" suit clubs better. It also was backed by the B-side Insecure Me. Truth be told, I'm not a huge lover of that song and I do feel Torch is far superior. In terms of UK chart performance it reached #2 on the charts. It was the highest charting single that they wrote themselves. The only track that reached #1 being Tainted Love of course.

Torch has a fairly simplistic arrangement, although I certainly love the dance factor the saxophone gives it. Despite that it also manages to have a certain relaxed feeling too. It certainly doesn't have a claustrophobic and overly synthized feel. It feels very natural and organic really.

I actually think of all Soft Cell's material, Torch is one of the songs that best expresses Soft Cell's trademark seedy atmosphere. It's hard to articulate, but when I first heard Torch I could practically see those seedy clubs. It feels very authentic to me - like the atmosphere in the song is an accurate depiction of some of the clubs at the time. It's not because of any one element - I mean they have far more sexual lyrics in other tracks. It doesn't have harsh or dark electronics either. What makes the track so effective is something I can't quite work out. I guess it's one of those instances in musical listening where sometimes something just makes you feel a certain way for no reason. You can't rationale or explain it, but it just happens. I know certainly what way I feel listening to this. It's such an effective track I think that it demands repeated listening, and it's one of the best songs of the 80s

Soft Cell - Non Stop Estactic Dancing (First listening)

I do really like Soft Cell, I think they were very underrated if I'm honest. In particular, I love their first album, Non Stop Erotic Cabaret. Anyhow, as you could probably guess Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing is a remix album (with their cover version of What being a new single at the time). Anyway, I decided today to give it a proper listen in full for the first time. I was familiar with about three out of the six songs on the EP but I fancied giving it a full listen. I have to say that I really enjoyed it! I was already familiar with the version of Memorabilia here, but I prefer it so much more to the single version. I also really loved the instrumental version of A Man Could Get Lost and the version of Chip's On My Shoulder too. A very enjoyable listen!

Interesting little download.

I have an odd fascination developing in recent months for record labels (particularly interested in ZTT, Factory and Creation), In recent times though I'm also particularly interested in Some Bizzare too. Their compilation album of the same name was their first release, and was designed to give an indication of the musical sound the label were interested in. I downloaded this last night after figuring it would be a good place to start. What I find fascinating is that the release contains early recordings by some acts that would go on to have much success like Depeche Mode (the version of Photographic here is actually the first released recording of Depeche Mode's) and also Blancmange and Soft Cell (who would then be signed to Some Bizzare) I've only heard a few of the other tracks of it so far and it sounds like a very experimental piece of work, definitely an interesting listen indeed!

Soft Cell - Tainted Love

This is a classic song for me. It is one of the first songs of the 80s I ever liked. I had this song on an old compilation when I was about 13, and I played it to absolute death. Its definitely become the song Soft Cell are remembered most for, which I do feel is a bit of a shame because they've got some other brilliant songs that surpass it. This was Soft Cells second single release, and it was made very clear to the duo that if this song didn't sell, it would be their last release, as previous single Memorabilia failed to chart. The group decided to produce a cover of an obscure Northern Soul track by Gloria Jones called Tainted Love. You've got to admire a risk like that, as the obscurity of the song probably meant the chances of it being a hit were small. Amazingly though, the song quickly became #1 in the UK and in another 17 territories worldwide. It also became the best selling single of 1981. In the US it peaked at #8 (taking 19 weeks to do so) but then held the Guinness World Record (at the time) for most consecutive weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 chart (43 weeks). I think those are extremely impressive stats for a supposed one hit wonder group (Personally I would say they're not, they did have other hit singles) It was released on 12" as an extended dance medley with another cover, this time of The Supremes Where Did Our Love Go. Marc Almond's only musical contribution to the song itself was deciding it should start with a "bink bink" noise that would feature periodically throughout the track. I love how they've made the song sound just like an original Soft Cell song (It was a few years until I found out it was a cover and I was shocked). A great song that's become an 80s classic, just remember to check out their other material!

Artists of the Moment

                                                      
 Soft Cell
Been a fan of Tainted Love for many years but only now am I going to investigate the other work of this duo. Working my way through their first album at the minute and I have to say it is a brilliant listen, the group sound like they are criminally overlooked! Really enjoying Bedsitter, Sex Dwarf and Chips On My Shoulder at the minute!



Tears For Fears
Another underappreciated duo. This isn't so much as new seeing as I heard Songs From The Big Chair a number of months ago. Over the past few days I've been playing their debut album The Hurting a lot and it is absolutely brilliant! So far loving Ideas as Opiates and Mad World in particular! Going to give their third album a listen soon and really looking forward to it!                                                                                  

The Beatles
I have to be honest and say I used to think these guys were overated, on account of disliking Hey Jude. I still don't like that song. It took them a bit longer to grow on me when I started listening to them even, but I think its because I've never really listened to music of the 60s that much. However now they are really growing on me, and I rarely do this but have to admit I was very wrong about these guys! Help particularly is impressing me as is their debut and some  B-sides!

Prince
Like The Beatles, I also wasn't too fond of this guy either. I think it was because he scared me a little to be perfectly honest. Once I started listening to his work though more objectively I have realised though that Prince is a very talented man. Some of his more sexual lyrics do awkward me out slightly there is no denying his talent. Sign Of The Times in particular was a brilliant album as was the Purple Rain soundtrack. Just finished listening to his 80s output and going to start the 90s very soon!