The Very Best Of

I'm not a big fan of remixes of old records.
But, an exception must be made for the 2XS remix of "Tainted Love". Which somehow manages to update but, not spoil the original magic. Whereas Marilyn Manson's take on the song is slow. This (Electronic Drum & Bass-styled) version is faster than the original! I read in a Dave Ball interview that they personally asked them to remix this and loved the results. Always nice to know whether the artist approves i think. Buy without doubt.


DECADENT ELECTRONIC CABARET   May 26, 2003
 17 out of 21 found this review helpful

The early 1980s saw the emergence of the synth duo in the form of Yazoo, OMD, Eurythmics and Soft Cell amongst others. Yazoo had soulful vocals, OMD made spacious, almost classical music, Eurythmics changed with every album and Soft Cell had a certain air of dramatic decadence. (It's not hard to picture Marc Almond as a latterday Joel Grey in a synth cabaret)This superb collection of melodic songs includes two versions of their stunning hits Tainted Love and Say Hello Wave Goodbye. My other favourites are the catchy What?, Memorabilia and their lovely interpretation of Where Did Our Love Go? Marc Almond's voice doesn't have the widest range but the interplay between the vocals and the synths are always innovative. This hits collection is consistently enjoyable while some of their individual albums had lots of filler material, so this is truly the best and a fantastic listening experience.


innovative electro pioneers back with avengeance   April 5, 2002
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Having heard all of the tracks when they were originally released in the early 80's, these songs were, and still are innovative.
The new material on here, still have an up to date sound in their own unique way, and though the new songs on this collection are not to be released as singles, i believe the new album due out in the summer, will once again spawn chart success for the pioneering synth elecro punk /pop/soul duo,
and not before time.
Chemical Bros etc... move over



The Definitive Synth Pop Duo   April 2, 2002
 16 out of 19 found this review helpful

Respect is definitely due for this often overlooked synth act who together with the Human League, were very much ahead of the game.
On the surface, this may look like another thoughtless compilation with memories of 1991's cash in on Marc Almond's successful solo career, but a lot of love and attention has gone into this new release.
The sound quality is crisp and delightful. Tainted Love still sounds years ahead of the pretenders whilst the perennial classic 'Say Hello, Wave Goodbye' still has that ability to send shivers down the neck. Almond's vocal delivery ranks along side Phil Oakey, Matt Johnson (The The) and Neil Tennant who all manage to convey masses of high emotion and wit (something that lacks from 'technically gifted' Pop Idol moppets that now litter the UK charts).
Almond has always sang from the heart bringing an extra dimension to the more sleazy tracks such as the irresistible Sex Dwarf included here in full glory.
Dave Ball's unique ability at pushing the electronics to their limits whilst never forgetting the importance of toe-tapping, melodic brilliance - should also be worshipped here after listening to this compilation. It simply hasn't dated.
Other gems include the new mixes of Numbers whilst two long awaited new tracks have been included. Dead Souls and Somebody, Somewhere, Sometime are worthy to stand along side the old classic, proving that Soft Cell have rediscovered their electro heights of yesterday. Both tracks are impressive (with superb production from Ball) and they leave a mark raising hopes that the new album will be one to watch out for.
Praise must also go to the new mixes of Tainted Love and Say Hello Wave Goodbye - both updated here but never straying from the original appeal of these classics.
Ironic how this was released on the same day as the PSB's new but somewhat lacklustre album, but if you have to make a choice, this Soft Cell compilation will remain in your CD player for longer. Shame they couldn't add a new mix of Secret Life (it still deserves a single release after 20 years!) but the track listing here is near enough perfect.

The definitive synth 'pop' duo are back!