Gothic

"Goth" was a much maligned '80s genre, often deserved thanks to overtly gloomy pretentiousness, but just as often artistic, dark, bracing music. In addition to those outfits that still keep it going, this double CD is smart enough to include some of the long forgotten, unsung English practitioners who left behind stunning moments, folks such as UK Decay (see their brilliant singles and 1981 LP For Madmen Only), Theatre of Hate (too bad no "Westworld" or "Nero" here), Play Dead (thought no one remembered them!) and even Southern Death Cult (who became internationally famous a few years later when they changed their name from Death Cult to the Cult). One imagines Cleopatra couldn't get the rights to include such seminal bands as the Cure or Sisters of Mercy, but those groups don't need this kind of introduction, and the omission of the March Violets aside, this is an intelligently selected guide.

Focusing on the '80s, Cleopatra continues to document the history of gothic rock with this two-CD set. Progressing through the discs, the tracks get basically more obscure. Starting off is the pop-goth of the Cult ("Spirit Walker," similar to the Skeleton Family track), then on to the odd, desert goth of Theatre of Hate's "Do You Believe in the Westworld." Fields of Nephilim adds riff-rock goth (&"Blue Water"). With sound ready to open for Psychedelic Furs or Modern English is March Violets. Truly unique is the bouncy, glam goth of Danielle Dax' "Yummer Yummer Man." The obligatory track of '80's goth kings, Bauhaus, is "Passion of Lovers." Other big names in the genre found here include Christian Death, New Model Army, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Gene Loves Jezebel and Alien Sex Fiend. Lesser known is a catchy cut from Sexbeat, "Sweat.