Soft Cell -- classic or dud?

Putting 'Slave To This', the most "out there" track on the album, as the second track was an absolute stroke of genius, IMO. After the catchy synth-rock of 'Mr. Self Destruct' it just pours a bucket of ice cold water over the listener immediately. I suspect it was at this point that most turned off the LP, thinking that the rest of the album was going to be some kind of far-out endurance test. It's one of those "are you with us or not?" songs, and remains fucking brilliant. Then it's followed up with songs like 'Little Rough Rhinestone' and 'Meet Murder My Angel'... Superb.

YOU'VE NEVER KNOWN LOVE!
UNTIL YOU HAVE KNOWN THE LOVE OF GOD!

THAT'S RIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIGHT!

New box set on the way, apparently!

Makes sense. Any reports on the contents?

Not yet - although on their FB page a picture of a master tape box from 1980 was posted, which was apparently being digitised.

More news on this...

EXCITING SOFT CELL NEWS - PLEASE READ!!!

We’re pleased to officially announce that we are working on a Soft Cell anthology via Universal Music Catalogue, who did such a fantastic job on Marc’s box set. Release date is not yet scheduled, but we are currently expecting the box set to include 9 CDs and 1 DVD. We are unearthing some amazing content and unreleased/unheard material from the archives of Universal, and the personal collections of Marc and Dave.
However, it’s a mammoth task putting such a project together, especially as it’s over thirty years since the key releases, long before the days of the internet, e-mail, digital photography and modern recording formats as we know them today. We’re keen for this project to ultimately deliver a fully documented archive for posterity, and to remind how seminal this band are for decades to come.
We are therefore inviting Soft Cell fans to make this a really interactive experience by helping us fill in any gaps, and sharing their memorabilia (no pun intended) with us for possible inclusion in the box set and accompanying book. We are especially seeking rare live and other audio and video recordings, bootlegs, remixes as well as photos, press clippings, ticket stubs, merchandise, imports, adverts, posters, set lists – anything with a Soft Cell connection that might deserve a wider audience. All material used will be fully credited to contributors. You can send WeTransfer links, MP3s, scans, documents, or if easier, please just send us an email detailing how you’d like to get involved, or even your suggestions on what you’d like to see (or not for that matter!) on the box set.
We are also looking for written pieces from fans about their own Soft Cell experiences, whether it be general comments, memories, live experiences or anything on topic, some of which we hope to include in the book.
Modern studio techniques allow us to improve both audio and visual content to a certain extent, so as long as it is of a reasonable standard, we might be able to use it – if in doubt, please let us know anyway.

Please email your content to he✧✧✧@softcelloffic✧✧✧.c✧.u✧

We really appreciate your help!

Soft Cell HQ

and on a related note, 'Soul Inside' is one of the most perfect songs ever.

http://www.softcell.co.uk/soft-cell-announce-one-off-40th-anniversary-concert/

Soft Cell Announce One-Off 40th Anniversary Concert
“With Soft Cell I always felt something was unfinished. This last ever final show will be the best ever ending. It will be a real statement and send off, and thank you to every fan” – Marc Almond
“We live in very interesting times, and 2018 promises to be a very special year” – Dave Ball

As announced on BBC Radio 2’s The Chris Evans Breakfast Show this morning we are delighted to confirm that Soft Cell will mark their 40th anniversary in fine style by reuniting for one final concert at London’s The O2 in September 2018.

Marc Almond and Dave Ball will reunite at the venue on September 30th to perform together for the first time since 2003. The ‘Say Hello, Wave Goodbye’ show will also be Soft Cell’s only and last ever show.

I presume it'll end with a burning of an effigy of Stevo.

..and 20.000 waving attendees

And here's the box set's initial details

https://www.lexermusic.com/soft-cell/soft-cell-keychains-snowstorms-the-soft-cell-story

https://i.imgur.com/kMfOW2V.png

Perfect.

Psyched

We have tracklisting

http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/keychains-and-snowstorms-the-soft-cell-story-9cddvd-box-set/

Damn. At 70 quid this looks a steal!

The Torch 12 version may be the best thing ever.

The whole run of singles between the first two albums was amazing.

The supremes redux of tainted love will always be classic

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/aug/21/soft-cell-release-northern-lights-first-new-song-15-years-marc-almond-dave-ball

Wait, whatwhat now!?

Box set in hand:

Two words: hell yes

Four words: Misery! Complaints! Self-pity! Injustice!

(And bonus @simon_price01 content doncha know.) pic.twitter.com/HsVPU1ty0j

— Ned Raggett (@NedRaggett) September 5, 2018

Would crack into it immediately but I have houseguests for the next few days. Alas.

That looks marvellous!

Well, a couple of days away but I'm envious of anyone going to the O2 show on Sunday for sure. They're recording it for audio/video release and preorders are up so I can't complain too much, and I did see them on their American reunion tour back in 2002 or whenever it was as well. Even so, a twinge of regret I can't make it over.

Amazing setlist. Just would have liked “It’s a Mug’s Game” too!

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/soft-cell/2018/the-o2-arena-london-england-33e914c5.html

anyone have it yet? https://www.lexermusic.com/soft-cell-live

Ordered and en route...

Back back back again!

https://softcell.tmstor.es/

Also a new set of shows, performing _Non Stop Erotic Cabaret_ in full:

https://myticket.co.uk/artists/soft-cell

Misread the thread title as Soft Cell -- classic or duo? and thought, well gosh, really?! Can't they be both?

Hey hey, we got one of the new songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnheY81x3dM

https://thequietus.com/articles/30878-soft-cell-non-stop-erotic-cabaret-oral-history-dave-ball-marc-almond-interview
Wonderful oral history

Heads up...

https://liveherenow.co.uk/products/soft-cell-stream-ticket?_pos=2&_sid=a595cf9d2&_ss=r

Available for the next couple of days, but there will be a separate Blu-ray etc release later.

video for “Purple Zone” (duet w/ PSBs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv4QNTg1Mps

Struggling to think of any collaboration in any medium that is quite so staggeringly less than the sum of its parts.

I think it's a sweet little fillip

More info---Pets do some mixes---Happiness Not Included (thanks for warning) out May 6: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Soft-Cell-Team-Up-With-Pet-Shop-Boys-For-The-New-Single--Purple-Zone-.html?aid=sqHHp24xO3Q&soid=1101984419757

North American dates! https://www.marcalmond.co.uk/live/index.html

--

23 AUGUST 2022
The Magnolia, El Cajon, CA, USA
(presale code TAINTED2022)

24 AUGUST 2022
YouTube Theater, Inglewood, CA, USA

26 AUGUST 2022
The Masonic, San Francisco, CA, USA
(presale code TAINTED2022)

28 AUGUST 2022
House Of Blues Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
(presale code TAINTED2022)

30 AUGUST 2022
Beacon Theatre, New York, NY, USA
(presale code TAINTED2022)

31 AUGUST 2022
History, Toronto, Canada
(presale code TAINTED2022)

listening to this last night in sodom for the first time…. ahahahaha omg

Can't wait for your review Brad

Here doggy doggy

http://www.dangerousminds.net/comments/soft_cells_infamous_sex_dwarf_video_nsfw

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 1:28 PM (ten years ago) bookmarkflaglink

Link is still good but video is gone:
https://vimeo.com/429915379

Still can’t believe I get to see them again next week

Little Rough Rhinestone <33

Ah man, this sucks, but at least there'll be something:

Sadly we learned today that Dave Ball will not be able to do the Soft Cell USA tour. The shows are still happening, for full details please see the statement on the website:https://t.co/MSWd25GFnf pic.twitter.com/YLnxzVAkwW

— Marc Almond (@MarcAlmond) August 22, 2022

From the FB announcement:

Sadly we learned today that Dave Ball will not be able to do the Soft Cell tour in the USA. We hoped until the last minute that his recovery would make it possible and all was looking good but unfortunately he has had a set back and is unable to make it.
Philip has been on standby, as our contingency being the producer of the album, and having stepped up in the past.
I will miss Dave on stage as his presence is hard to replace but musically and visually the show will run the same and Phil always does a great job on synths.
I know you will still enjoy the show. The show will be in two halves: The first half a mixed selection, songs from The Art Of Falling Apart and our other albums plus a selection of new songs from Happiness Not Included. The second half the whole of Non Stop Erotic Cabaret in order.
I know Dave wants everyone to see what a brilliant show it is and he thanks everyone for their messages in recent weeks.
The team being already in the USA for this, let’s just do it.
It is stressful enough as it is on the occasions that Dave is not with me, so hopefully the love and support will be there for us.
Marc Almond

damn so its just a marc almond show i guess.

Sad news. Wishing Dave Ball the best.

Well...if you're made of money:

https://thesoundofvinyl.com/collections/soft-cell/products/non-stop-erotic-cabaret-6cd-box-set

CD1 - NSEC REMASTERED ALBUM & ORIGINAL 7" VERSIONS & NON-ALBUM SINGLES
Frustration
Tainted Love
Seedy Films
Youth
Sex Dwarf
Entertain Me
Chips On My Shoulder
Bedsitter
Secret Life
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
Memorabilia (NSED Version)
Where Did Our Love Go? (NSED Version)
What? (NSED Version)
A Man Could Get Lost (NSED Version)
Chips On My Shoulder (NSED Version)
Sex Dwarf (NSED Version)
A Man Could Get Lost (Single Version)
Torch (Single Version)
What? (Single Version)
CD2 - NON-STOP EXTENDED CABARET & NEW REMIXES
Frustration (Extended Version)
Tainted Love (2021 10" Extended Version)
Seedy Films (2023 Extended Version)
Youth (2018 Extended Version)
Sex Dwarf (2023 Extended Version)
Entertain Me (2023 Extended Version)
Chips On My Shoulder (2018 Extended Version)
Bedsitter (1981 Extended Version)
Secret Life (2018 Extended Version)
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (2018 Extended Version)
Memorabilia (Daniel Miller 2023 Remix)
Memorabilia (The Hacker 2023 Remix)
A Man Could Get Lost (2023 Extended Version)
CD3 - CURIOS, RARITIES, SESSIONS & ALTERNATIVE MIXES
Frustration (Original Mutant Moments Version)
Tainted Love (2022 Version)
Seedy Films (Richard X Remix)
Youth (Dave Ball Warhol Funeral Mix)
Sex Dwarf (BBC Whistle Test)
Entertain Me (BBC Live Session)
Chips On My Shoulder (BBC Live Session)
Bedsitter (Flexipop Version)
Secret Life (George Demure Remix)
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (ORS Live)
A Man Could Get Lost (Live at Leeds Warehouse 2018)
Facility Girls (2018 Extended Mix)
Torch (Live) (TOTP2, 2002)
Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go (US Radio Edit)
Seedy Films (BBC Live Session)
Youth (BBC Whistle Test)
Chips On My Shoulder (ORS Live)
Bedsitter (BBC Live Session)
A Man Could Get Lost (Original Demo)
Tainted Love (Aborted Studio Take)
CD4 - NON-STOP INSTRUMENTAL CABARET & DEMOS
Frustration
Tainted Love
Seedy Films
Youth
Sex Dwarf
Entertain Me
Chips On My Shoulder
Bedsitter
Secret Life
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
Frustration (Original Demo)
Tainted Love (Original Daniel Miller Demo)
Seedy Films (Original Demo)
Chips On My Shoulder (Original Demo)
Secret Life (Original Demo)
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Original Demo)
Facility Girl (Original Demo)
Memorabilia (Original Demo)
Persuasion (Original Demo)
Memorabilia (Instrumental)
A Man Could Get Lost (7" Instrumental)
CD5 - ORIGINAL 12" MIXES & B SIDES
Memorabilia (Original 12" Version)
Persuasion (Original 12" Version)
Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go? (Original 12" Version)
Tainted Dub (Original Version)
Facility Girls (Original 12" Version)
Fun City (Original Version)
Torch (Original 12" Version)
Insecure…Me (Original 12" Version)
What? (Original 12" Version)
So (Original 12" Version)
CD6 - NON-STOP EROTIC CABARET, LIVE IN LEEDS, NOVEMBER 2021 PLUS MORE
Frustration (Live)
Tainted Love (Live)
Seedy Films (Live)
Youth (Live)
Sex Dwarf (Live)
Entertain Me (Live)
Chips On My Shoulder (Live)
Bedsitter (Live)
Secret Life (Live)
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Live)
Torch (Live in Leeds, 2021)
Memorabilia (Live in Leeds, 2021)
Insecure Me (Live at 02, 2018)
What? (Live at O2, 2018)
Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go? (Live in Leeds, 2002)

Woah, sounds great.

"This Last Night In Sodom": a perfect album, I say. Consistent throughout. Buzzy, wild synths and boxy drum machines. Almond's nearly unhinged overdubbed harmonies and backing vox. Tons of reverb. MONO! Frayed and hungover sounding yet full of a weird, speedy energy. Needs more accolades!

Trudat!

Thirded! (is it really mono though? I never noticed)

Some of the tracks are, yes!