Mask [PA]

Performer: Bauhaus (UK)
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: Bauhaus: Peter Murphy (vocals); Daniel Ash, Kevin Haskins, David J. Engineers include: Mike Hedges, Kenny Jones, John Etchells. In 1981, Bauhaus had no competition in the field of "Goth" music and could afford to experiment a little. MASK is the group's second album, and it contains some of their best work. There is the groove of "Dancing," a track that contains one of the album's two curious references to ballet dancer Nijinsky (the other is in "Muscle In Plastic"), and the creepy "Hollow Hills," its bass-driven skeleton decorated with distant peals of feedback and sparse drumming. The title cut features Peter Murphy singing over a backwards music track that adds considerable menace to the bizarre lyrics. Originally 10 songs long, the CD adds five supplemental tracks gathered from singles. These extra tracks include the comparatively straightforward white reggae of "Harry" and a weird 4-part song wherein each band member takes the lead. Bassist David Jay sets the falsely soothing tale of a trial to the rattle of a drum machine. Murphy's piece is a guide to making fish cakes (?!). Drummer Kevin Haskins provides a series of such suggestions as "Avoid risks, stay at home," and guitarist Daniel Ash contributes a short acoustic guitar piece with backwards vocals.

Record Collector (magazine) (p.91) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[MASK] remains a definitive statement, from the Apollo launch of 'Hair Of The Dog,' crowd-pleasing 'Dancing' and 'Muscle In Plastic' to the emotive 'Hollow Hills'..."

Ultimately, Bauhaus became known as the godfathers of the goth scene, but their brief, prolific career (1979-1983) showed far more stylistic variation than their progeny might suggest. They mixed Bowie/Eno-influenced postpunk with dub, electronics, and a moody sense of songcraft that was both unnerving and infectious. After the group's breakup, singer Peter Murphy went on to a solo career, while guitarist David J formed the considerably poppier Love And Rockets. From 1998 on, the band would occasionally re-form for concert tours.

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