Digitally
Mastered & Edited By Pomeroy Audio. Released Originally As Cassette-Only
September 9, 1981. Original liner notes by Lester Bang.
We have released in digitally remastered and re-edited format the legendary
ROIR Suicide cassette of 1981, with three bonus tracks, in both CD and
LP format.
Probably no other American rock n' roll group has had such major continuing
influence on the international rock world scene as this pioneering electronic
punk duo who started gigging in the bowels of NYC almost thirty years
ago.
And right now are they ever hot! Mute Records has just released two (count
'em) double retrospective sets, and Rev has a new solo album distributed
by Caroline. They very recently performed two nights at NYC's Knitting
Factory before SRO audiences, and they have toured in the last 12 months
in England, Spain, Italy, Austria & Switzerland. Soon to come a major
city U.S. tour.
This release with 1981 Liner Notes from Lester Bangs has been one of the
most requested ("please put this out on cd") releases in our 21 year history.
Suicide
recorded some amazingly seductive and terrifying music. Their profound
influence on a generation of younger bands is readily apparent. They are
the source point for Soft Cell, Erasure, Bronski Beat, Yaz, Cabaret Voltaire,
Throbbing Gristle, you name em'. –All Music Guide To Rock
Half-Alive
consists of live tracks circa 1978, plus a hand full of unreleased lo-fi
studio gems from 1974-1975. Suicide warrant legend status. They found
their most fertile reception outside America in the form of Soft Cell,
Woodentops, Spacemen 3, Sigue Sigue Sputnik. They should have been the
American "Kraftwerk." -Spin Alternative Record Guide
They
were ahead of their time. Rev's repetitive wall-of-noise keyboard and
pneumatic rhythm machines with Vegas' Presleyish vocals provide a link
to the rock n' roll tradition, with a form of controversial art performance
on stage. -Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of RN'R
Unadulterated
passion. These tracks recorded from 74-78 blast a whole cesspool of sound
and vision. -Boston Rock
A pounding reminder of industrial dance music's
early beginnings. They produced a unique obsessively American electronic
music of enormous energy and enduring influence - throbbing sequencers
and "Morrisonesque" vocals: Awesome. -Trouser Press Record Guide
Guerilla Jukin', guttersnipe veracity, naked romance, Iggy Bop, and
Blood. -Lester Bangs, SoHo News
Suicide's
acid triggered visions from the NOO YOIK gutters. Electro-boogie rears
its psychic-savage walking bass head. -Sounds UK (FOUR STARS)
The
most interesting ROIR cassette yet. Contains tracks from their live assaults,
including the London Marquee in '78 when they were probably at their most
psychotic. -Zig Zag UK
Suicide
at its best (or worse). -Billboard Album Pick
The
first real IRT-lurking move anybody had made since the Velvet Underground.
Suicide's music is truly the sound of NYC for me. -Lester Bangs (from
Liner Notes)
One
of the half dozen most important acts in rock n' roll. They are the real
thing. -Roy Trakin (Now an Editor of Hits)
Lester
Bangs liner notes place Suicide in its proper historical context: A document
of a force of nature - the filthy loud subway station heart of NYC. Suicide
pioneered everything from synth-pop to industrial disco - low rent electronic
angst-fest. Vega runs rough shod over the whirring blast of Rev's homemade
synth. -Rolling Stone Record Guide
