The Bedsit Tapes

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The Bedsit Tapes
compilation of Soft Cell
Cover - The Bedsit Tapes.png
Cover photograph by Martin Holtkamp
Released 25 July 2005
Label Some Bizzare
Genre minimal synth, industrial
Format CD
Related Demo Non Stop
The Bedsit Tapes is a compilation of early and demo recordings by Soft Cell released in 2005 by Some Bizzare Records.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Compilation consists of early recordings by Soft Cell produced in 1978–1980 at studio in Leeds Polytechnic and at their home – as referenced in the title, including 3 tracks from Mutant Moments EP and a cover of Black Sabbath's “Paranoid”. It was compiled by Dave Ball, who refers to these tracks as rough sketches,[1] and Stevo shortly after duo's second disband and without involvement of Marc Almond.[2]

In liner notes, written in 6th July 2005, Ball is reminiscing of university's studio, initial work with Almond and his performances and eventual formation of Soft Cell. As a Some Bizzare release, there is a quote by Stevo as well: “Blindfolded comfort, independent as always, seeking commitment without the fear of falling.”

Release[edit | edit source]

The Bedsit Tapes was released on 25th July 2005 on CD, by Some Bizzare Records, with distribution by Plastic Head Music.

Track listing[edit | edit source]

All songs written and composed by Marc Almond and Dave Ball, except where noted. 
 
No.TitleLength
1. “Potential”   3:28
2. “L.O.V.E. Feeling” (*) 3:26
3. “Metro Mr X” (*) 2:08
4. “Bleak Is My Favourite Cliché”   2:15
5. “Occupational Hazard”   3:32
6. “Mix”   4:19
7. “Factory Fun”   3:20
8. “Science Fiction Stories”   3:15
9. “Purely Functional”   2:10
10. “A Cut Above The Rest”   2:09
11. “Paranoid” (Wr.: Iommi / Osbourne / Butler / Ward) 2:25
12. “Excretory Eat Anorexia Nervosa”   4:37
13. “Cleansing Fanatic”   2:34
14. “Walking Make Up Counter”   2:54
15. “Pyrex My Cuisine”   1:07
16. “Tupperware Party”   2:04

* Titles of songs differ from their original appearance on Mutant Moments EP

Personnel[edit | edit source]

  • Written-By (lyrics) − Marc Almond (2, 4)[1][?], David Ball (1, 3, 8)[3][?]
  • Written-By (music) − David Ball
  • Vocals − Marc Almond, David Ball (13)
  • Instruments − David Ball
  • Mastering – Ralph Ruppert
  • Liner notes − David Ball

Artwork[edit | edit source]

Cover artwork consists of photographs of buildings in Leeds, taken by Martin Holtkamp in January 2005. Design is credited to Allon Kaye, ‘with thanks to Martin, Ema And Jacques.’

Reception[edit | edit source]

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Trivia[edit | edit source]

  • In a 2016 interview Marc Almond stated that he wasn't involved in making and release of Soft Cell's demo compilations.[2] Dave Ball later, in his autobiography, characterized them as ‘very poor-quality’ and ‘strictly for completists.’[1]

See also[edit | edit source]

  • Demo Non Stop − second CD compilation of demo tracks released the next year

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Electronic Boy (Dave Ball autobiography)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 theartsdesk Q&A: Musician Marc Almond | The Arts Desk (Interview with Marc Almond). Thomas H. Green. 5 November 2016. (theartsdesk.com)  archived
  3. ↑ Tainted Life (Marc Almond autobiography)
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