Description
Soft Cell – Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret + The Art Of Falling Apart – Compact Disc
Soft Cell – “Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret” (1981)
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret is the debut studio album by the British synth-pop duo Soft Cell, consisting of Marc Almond (vocals) and David Ball (synthesizers). Released in 1981, the album is renowned for its innovative use of synthesizers and its exploration of themes related to urban nightlife, seedy encounters, and existential ennui. It became a landmark album in the synth-pop genre and solidified Soft Cell’s place in music history.
Key Tracks
“Tainted Love” – The lead single and Soft Cell’s most famous song, this cover of Gloria Jones’s northern soul classic became a massive hit, known for its distinctive synth riff and Marc Almond’s emotive vocal delivery.
“Bedsitter” – A song about the lonely life of a single person in the city, featuring poignant lyrics and a melancholic melody.
“Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” – A dramatic and emotional track about the end of a relationship, showcasing Almond’s theatrical vocal style.
“Frustration” – An upbeat yet lyrically dark song exploring themes of dissatisfaction and disillusionment.
“Sex Dwarf” – Known for its provocative and controversial lyrics, this track highlights the duo’s penchant for exploring taboo subjects.
Characterized by the extensive use of synthesizers and drum machines, creating a futuristic and sometimes stark sound. The album delves into themes of urban life, loneliness, love, and hedonism, often with a darkly humorous or ironic twist. Marc Almond’s vocal performance is both expressive and theatrical, adding depth to the lyrical content.
Soft Cell – “The Art of Falling Apart” (1983)
The Art of Falling Apart is the second studio album by Soft Cell, released in 1983. This album continued the duo’s exploration of dark themes and further developed their synth-pop sound. It is known for its more expansive production and for delving deeper into personal and emotional subject matter.
Key Tracks
“Forever the Same” – The opening track sets the tone with its brooding atmosphere and intense emotional delivery.
“Where the Heart Is” – A track that combines a catchy melody with introspective lyrics about domestic life and emotional turmoil.
“Numbers” – Deals with themes of anonymity and casual encounters, featuring a pulsating rhythm and hypnotic synth lines.
“Heat” – A slow, atmospheric song that builds in intensity, reflecting on feelings of guilt and obsession.
“The Art of Falling Apart” – The title track, which encapsulates the album’s themes of disintegration and despair.
Compared to their debut, this album features a more complex and layered production style, incorporating more varied instrumentation and sound textures. Continues to explore themes of emotional distress, existential angst, and the darker sides of human experience. Maintains the signature synth-pop sound but with a more mature and developed approach.
Both albums received critical acclaim and have since become iconic within the synth-pop genre. Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret is especially noted for its influence on the development of electronic music and its success in bringing synth-pop to a mainstream audience. “The Art of Falling Apart” is appreciated for its artistic ambition and deeper exploration of emotional themes.
For fans of synth-pop and those interested in the evolution of electronic music, these albums offer a rich and immersive listening experience, highlighting Soft Cell’s unique blend of dark themes, emotive vocals, and innovative use of synthesizers.
CDs in a special designed gatefold cardboard sleeve
Universal Music 2010
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Song List
Frustration
Tainted Love
Seedy Films
Youth
Sex Dwarf
Entertain Me
Chips On My Shoulder
Bedsitter
Secret Life
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
Where Did Our Love Go?
Memorabilia
Facility Girls
Fun City
Torch
Insecure Me
What?
So
The Art Of Falling Apart
Forever The Same
Where The Heart Is
Numbers
Heat
Kitchen Sink Drama
Baby Doll
Loving You Hating Me
The Art Of Falling Apart
Hendrix Medley
Martin
Barriers
It’s A Mug’s Game
