#7885 (Electropunk to Technopop 1978-1985)

Editors’ Notes Richard H. Kirk is the sole remaining member of Cabaret Voltaire, and he handpicked this expansive retrospective to deliberately pull two distinct eras together. Therefore, the group’s years with founding member Chris Watson on Rough Trade Records (1978-1982) and the Some Bizarre years without Watson (1983-1985) both connect. Kirk pulls out highlights and, unlike on previous compilations, provides fans with the 7” versions of several Some Bizarre–era singles and not the extended 12” versions heard on previous collections. Obviously with a band as nonconformist as Cabaret Voltaire, there’s still plenty to hunt down—but for anyone seeking a quick, succinct summary that also works as pure entertainment, this is a worthwhile place to start. Kirk emphasizes the edited versions for a focused approach. All alternative music fans should own copies of “Do the Mussolini,” “Nag Nag Nag,” “Silent Command,” and “Kneel to the Boss,” for starters. Following through to “Sensoria,” “I Want You,” and “Warm” is further proof that CV never settled with one sound for long. They were true pioneers in electronic sound.