Customer Reviews
Bauhaus Brilliance - By: Pieter, 04 Nov 2003 
Being an acquired taste, Bauhaus is best introduced to the newcomer through a Best Of collection. And this is the superior compilation by far from this pioneering goth band as it contains alll of their early classics, including rare singles & a great choice of tracks from the first two albums In The Flat Field & Mask.
My personal favorites are the deranged Stigmata Martyr with its scary Latin recitation, St. Vitus Danse, A God In An Alcove & The Passion Of Lovers plus the early singles Telegram Sam, (their tribute to Marc Bolan of T. Rex) & this live version of the legendary Bela Lugosi’s Dead. Other great moments are Spy In The Cab, Terror Couple Kill Colonel & Hair Of The Dog.
Inspired by The Cure & The Banshees, Bauhaus were brave pioneers who chisseled out their own very distinctive sound & never compromised with commerciality. Their music remains inspiring albeit sometimes inaccessible, but always innovative. I would also like to recommend Peter Murphy’s solo albums where he took the Bauhaus vision further, in a generallly more melodic & accessible style.
Excellent Overview - By: , 03 Jul 2003 
If you want a good sampler of Bauhaus' music, then you can't do better than getting your hands on Volume 1 & 2 of this set.
Right from the outset, you dark, almost trance-like quality of Pete Murphy's vocals, & atmospheric & inventive use of instruments makes for a brooding tonal landscape.
Bauhaus are often credited as being the godfathers of Gothic music, but that is probably doing them a disservice. You won't hear this level of inventiveness in either their contemporaries or the following gothic music.
I personallly prefer volume 2. The closing song, "Crowds" is spat with such venom that you know he means it, even if some of the lyrics are a bit dubious!
As for Volume 1. There's a range of music from the almost bouncy (!) cover Telegram Sam, to the incredible classic "The Passion of Lovers" & the submarine-esque soundscape of "Double Dare".
There are a few tracks that arent as good, You'll recognise them instantly, as the vocals are incredibly wishy washy!
Try it if you want to stretch your musical imagination.
