Gothic Valentines CD Review

Here we are once more with another dose of Valentines inspired tracks for all the brokenhearted lovers out there. This time around though, we’re talking about Gothic Valentines as that’s the title of this Double Disc compilation from Cleopatra Records. This release will also see a single LP release too, but due to time constraints the vinyl version will be much shorter. We’ve already covered Cleopatra’s other Valentines Comp, “Punk Rock Valentines”, so why not dig into this one even though I’m not well versed in this genre of music or well where I’m from its 80’s Darkwave/New Romantic/Synth Pop. Whatever, there are some great tracks that represent the genre here.
 
The CD version of this release is quite long, clocking in at a whopping 37 tracks, there’s a ton of stuff here to take in. When I first got it, it was a bit overwhelming to say the least, now that I’ve been able to dig in and listen a few times, I know what’s what and how I feel about it. I’m going to refrain from breaking down the CDS down individually, there’s just too much to get through, I’ll talk about my personal highlights.

Let’s get the party started with a favorite of mine from the early 80’s – Joy Division’s “Love will Tear us apart”. This version is the 1980 Martin Hannett mix. I’d never heard this version, it's not too far from the original from what I can tell, maybe the OG sounds a bit more polished, but the song still broods and makes me miss the old days. If you’re not hip to Joy Division this will be a real treat for you! Now for something off the beaten path that I originally didn’t care for – Melanie & David J’s “Beautiful People”. Aside from David J being in Bauhaus/Love & Rockets, there’s nothing Gothic about this track. However, after I run myself silly on the treadmill while listening to it, I came to enjoy the track for what it is – folky pop like something my mom would’ve played on our old family record console. There’s a Partridge Family feel to it, which I don’t mind in certain situations, but it’s not Gothic and a bit out of place here, but still fun, nonetheless. Moving along we come upon the first big cover on the album Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams”, it’s performed by the UK band, The KVB. I’ve never heard of the band, but I can honestly say I wouldn’t mind hearing more. The band shows a deep respect for the tune while making it their own. It comes across ethereal and dreamy for lack of a better word. I hear a lot of Cure influences specifically in the guitar parts, which works wonders for the song. And now for another favorite of mine from back in the day – “Tainted Love” from Soft Cell has also been added here. It’s not the normal version I’m used to; it sounds like it could be a different mix, but I’m not seeing it being mentioned. Either way, it’s a classic track that fits right in, you can never go wrong with Soft Cell no matter what kind of compilation you’re listening to! From here we run face first into a Heart cover. Harsh Symmetry does their best on the classic “Alone”. And let me preface my thoughts with this, there’s not a soul on earth that can compare to Ann Wilson to me, she’s unfuckwithable, so anytime I hear a Heart cover I’m a bit at odds with it. However, with this one I find myself enamored, the music is spacious, the keyboards/guitars have a creepy vibe to them and the vocalist sounds a bit like the lead vocalist from the 80’s Pop band, Johnny Hates Jazz, and I dig that. I want to hear more from this band, pronto! Making this comp even more fun is cover of an Elvis classic – “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. We all know this song has been covered to death, I’ve participated in a few of them, and I’ve heard it every way under the sun, but never quite like the band Darkway does it. Again, this is another band that I’m not familiar with, but I can tell you this much, they really understand how to cover a song without wrecking it. This is Darkwave/80’s Synth Pop at its absolute best, this is a fantastic cover! I’m a massive fan of Sisters of Mercy and there’s a tune on the album that reminds me of the Floodland era – “Your Blood Your Soul” from the band Sonsombre sounds like it could be a left-over track from those sessions. If you’re a SOM fan, this track isn’t one to miss for sure! Frontline Assembly also makes their presence felt with cover of Madonna’s “Justify My Love”. I’m not the biggest fan of Madonna, so I can’t really compare it other than to say, I like this version a lot more than I do the original. It’s lush with great music, vocals and dreamscapes and it doesn’t come off like a filthy bondage track, which is a win to me. And another longtime favorite for the 80’s kid in me – “Send Me an Angel” from the legendary band Synth Pop band, Real Life has been added here. The version here is the 1983 Remix, I’ve heard this one before, but I can’t place where – it was probably at the Skating Rink way back when which is where I came to love a lot of the music of this era. Real Life were an incredible band, and their debut album Heartland is still one of my go-to records when I want to visit the music of this ilk. “Time after Time” is another classic that gets a facelift on this album by the band JLG. Again, a band I’m not familiar with, but their version here is solid, it’s a bit on the shoe gaze side of the spectrum and the vocals and lyrics tend to take a backseat to the music which is a bit of a let down but it’s still a fun cover. I hate to say it but another favorite from back in the day also shows up and gets brutalized. The Sinead O’ Connor classic “Nothing Compares 2 U” is MURDERED in cold blood by the band Shiny Toy Guns, I don’t really know what to say other than shame on them for this travesty, but if electronic noise and the death of a classic is your thing, then have at it. The vocalist of the 69 Eyes shows up with his tune “Bloodlust”, this was originally on the soundtrack of the Horror movie “Sunset Society”. I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing the movie, but I did scope out the soundtrack due to Jyrki’s involvement, he’s a brilliant vocalist and his voice really captures the essence of the 80’s Darkwave movement perfectly. A Bloodstone 2022 remix of Christian Death’s “Romeo’s Distress” also gets some love, this is a great remix, you can never have too much of this band, there’s no such thing! “Nowhere Girl” by the old New Wave band B-movie is also on this comp which I thought was a nice touch as this band isn’t well known, but considering how good the band was/is, it’s a great addition that might enlighten a few music fans to the band’s greatness. “Promise” from the band When In Rome is also added, this is another one of my favorite tracks from the 80’s. I don’t care who you are, you’ve heard this song whether it was in a movie, a commercial or maybe it was playing that time you were feeling up your date in the janitor closet at the dance back in 1987 and you didn’t realize the song was playing… I’m sure your date remembers being groped while this track was blasting in the background. Hopefully her memories are as good as the song still is. HA! Sincerely, it’s one of the best Pop songs from the 80’s, hands down! “Gothic Girl” from the 69 Eyes has been added here and it’s fitting, the label could’ve added several 69 Eyes tunes here and I wouldn’t have argued, but this one fits the title and the mold well. If you haven’t heard of this track or the band, I strongly recommend them specifically if you have a penchant for Darkwave. And while I don’t consider it Gothic, Iggy Pop’s “China Girl” Alt. Mix is on this comp. I can’t lie, I prefer Bowie’s version, but I can’t turn away from the song no matter who’s doing as long as it’s not being assaulted. Pop’s antics in the bridge do make the song a worthy adversary to Bowie’s, it gets a bit wild and woolly.

And there you have it, depending on what you’re looking for this could be a thriller or a killer. The title says Gothic and for some this will be the reason to pick the compilation up, for me, the reason is based off the 80’s Darkwave/Synth Pop tunes and feels that are represented here. For me, the CD version is loaded down with 37 tracks and would be the best way to go, but grabbing up the LP version will also suit quite a few of you. This is the 2^nd of Valentines Comps this year from the label, and you can’t go wrong with either. Again, Cleopatra proves without a doubt that they have the utmost respect and taste when it comes to assembling pieces like this. So, grab a copy, your girl and some booze, candles and turn the lights down low and turn the radio up on this one!

~Black Angel