This is a Rozz Williams re-recording of a classic song. For the opener 'Spiritual Cramp," it works, as the vocals are more articulated and the lyrics stand out, making the music feel more like new wave than punk. "Sleepwalk" also feels different from the original. It is a cleaner mix, and they are giving the vocals more love, but double-tracking them to give you a better idea of Rozz's voice. A more metallic guitar tone crunches in with some songs, but it does not take it as far as Valor's metal flirtations. 'Skeleton Kiss" is a new song, and it works well with a creepy boogie to the riff, and Rozz singing some impressive harmonies with himself. Eva O is joining him on this album, and you can hear her raise her voice on this one.
"Figurative Theater" cleans up the preformance from the original arrangement, hsi lyrics are phrased with more precision. Eva's harmonies are pretty cool. This one feels a little more upbeat. The articulation of the lyrics proves to be another plus. There is less of the punk tension, as it's less frantic and played more deliberately. This feels like what a band sounds like in the studio, with "Only Theater of Pain" sounding like how they sound on stage. "Desperate Hell" finds the vocals phrasing more refined. The guitars sit further back andd the vocals are mixed way up front, making it Rozz's show. I can see where a guitarist might hate these versions. I love that "Death Wish " feels more like a metal song with vocals mixed up. The harmonies on this rule, and you can really hear how great of a singer Rozz is in his own right.
"Luxury of Tears" is not the song from "Ahes" I would have re-recorded, but here we are; it works for what it is. I guess Rozz really liked this song. "Cervix Couch" also feels like an odd choice, but Rozz must love it enough to want to carry it into the 90s. The Death mix of "Skeleton's Kiss" feels darker. The live of Gary Numan's "Down in the Park" is pretty cool, they nail it. This album is an essential gem for fans; I give it a 10.
4
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