Just listened to the remastered FALAA again, and apart from the surprise of hearing Poison Door after SKOS it struck me how odd (IMHO) the choice of singles were .
As I recall Walk Away was released in advance of the LP with the full WEA machine behind it, multi format, free flexi (ltd) and of course a video in an attempt at a high chart placing.
Which didn't work.
After the LP came out (I think) NTTC was released which also failed to trouble the upper reaches of the chart.
So my question is who sanctioned the release of possibly the two weakest tracks on the LP as singles. The BAND or the WEA Marketing Dept?
I know all this is subjective, but I didn't care for Walk Away or NTTC 24 years ago and age has not changed my mind.
Wonder what might have happened had one of the other Album tracks been released as a single? Black Planet or NWN being examples....
Flagg
FALAA Choice of Singles
- Randall Flagg
- Gonzoid Amphetamine Filth
- Posts: 363
- Joined: 24 Apr 2006, 21:09
- Location: London Village
- streamline
- Slight Overbomber
- Posts: 1656
- Joined: 26 Oct 2005, 09:09
- Location: Right Next Door To Hell...
I always wondered what FaLAA would have been like as a single.
________________________________________
I trust you trust in me to mistrust you
I trust you trust in me to mistrust you
- 17.auflage
- Utterly Bastard Groovy Amphetamine Filth
- Posts: 920
- Joined: 21 Jan 2009, 15:56
yep, strange singles in my little opinion.
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
They were two of the more commercial, radio friendly songs on the album, which is the main purpose of a single. I agree that FALAA and Black Planet would also have worked (for the same reasons). Not so sure about NWN. Good song but not a single, partly because it lacks a real chorus or an obvious hook.
Any more of that and we'll be round your front door with the quick-setting whitewash and the shaved monkey.
Am I mad for thinking NTTC is actually one of the stronger tracks on the record? But yeh, I would have chosen FALAA itself in preference as the second single. Walk Away is a blatant pop song, so no quibbles over it's choice. Still rubbish though.
Me wonders what the LP would have been like if Serpents Kiss, Wake (according to Huss Wake dates from the sessions), Garden of Delight and Wide Receiver had made the cut. Which tracks to drop and would any of them have been singles?
Me wonders what the LP would have been like if Serpents Kiss, Wake (according to Huss Wake dates from the sessions), Garden of Delight and Wide Receiver had made the cut. Which tracks to drop and would any of them have been singles?
If I told them once, I told them a hundred times to put 'Spinal Tap' first and 'Puppet Show' last.
Not at all. Both it and Walk Away are great songs.mh wrote:Am I mad for thinking NTTC is actually one of the stronger tracks on the record?
Weren't they from the abortive Left On Mission And Revenge sessions ie after FALAA? Von's low opinion of them was part of the reason that Craig, ahem, walked away. Wayne followed out of solidarity.mh wrote:Me wonders what the LP would have been like if Serpents Kiss, Wake (according to Huss Wake dates from the sessions), Garden of Delight and Wide Receiver had made the cut. Which tracks to drop and would any of them have been singles?
- nodubmanshouts
- Utterly Bastard Groovy Amphetamine Filth
- Posts: 557
- Joined: 19 Oct 2003, 06:50
- Location: California
I always thoght Walk Away was as good a choice as any from the album. Not a favorite track, and some of the demo recordings of it have more "umph" than the final version. But still, I don't think the album is exactly dripping with singles. Probably one of the reasons WEA was pushing hard for one of the group's covers to be released as a single.
As for NTTC, yeah, I have no idea why that was released - its pants. I have some time for Black Planet - but NTTC and Rock And A... are lost on me. After 25 years, the album really begins with Marian for me.
As for NTTC, yeah, I have no idea why that was released - its pants. I have some time for Black Planet - but NTTC and Rock And A... are lost on me. After 25 years, the album really begins with Marian for me.
-
- Black, black, black & even blacker
- Posts: 4946
- Joined: 11 Jul 2002, 01:00
walk away was the focus for the black october tour wasn't it? i.e. before the LP was ready. As was the case with NTTC, just.
The Black Planet / Walk away 12" is the most curious to me. I 'think' it was to be released in the USA only, just before FALAA was released on Elektra. Can someone confirm the story behind it?
Ta.
The Black Planet / Walk away 12" is the most curious to me. I 'think' it was to be released in the USA only, just before FALAA was released on Elektra. Can someone confirm the story behind it?
Ta.
Goths have feelings too
Some sources (can't remember which) have the November leg of that tour (ie the bit that wasn't actually in October - or the UK for that matter) named the Walk Away tour.paint it black wrote:walk away was the focus for the black october tour wasn't it?
- Randall Flagg
- Gonzoid Amphetamine Filth
- Posts: 363
- Joined: 24 Apr 2006, 21:09
- Location: London Village
I agree with you that WA is a blatant pop song, and a rubbish one to boot, and so unrepresentative of the bands output as to make no sense.mh wrote:Am I mad for thinking NTTC is actually one of the stronger tracks on the record? But yeh, I would have chosen FALAA itself in preference as the second single. Walk Away is a blatant pop song, so no quibbles over it's choice. Still rubbish though.
Me wonders what the LP would have been like if Serpents Kiss, Wake (according to Huss Wake dates from the sessions), Garden of Delight and Wide Receiver had made the cut. Which tracks to drop and would any of them have been singles?
The Sisters can do "pop" (whatever that is) ToL and Black Planet, hey even the suits in the states recognized Black Planet had something and delivered a video to support it even if it never got a release.
Rock music is littered with bands and record companies arguing around single releases off LP's - The Clash even wrote about it (Remote and Complete Control), The Human League admitted they were wrong and Virgin ultimately right re the decision to release Don't You Want Me.
I think we can deduce something ref the bands Whistle Test appearance in 85 where I think it's fair to say they called the shots in playing FALAA and Marian (good call).
Flagg
- peartree_productions
- Road Kill
- Posts: 51
- Joined: 20 Feb 2006, 20:02
The version of A Rock And A Hard Place that appears on (and elsewhere)
![Image](http://www.discogs.com/image/R-150-1623995-1233416142.jpeg)
was considered for single release. Shame it wasn't, love this version...
![Image](http://www.discogs.com/image/R-150-1623995-1233416142.jpeg)
was considered for single release. Shame it wasn't, love this version...
Jesus Loves The Sisters. And so do I
- Ozpat
- From the Lowlands
- Posts: 6758
- Joined: 16 Aug 2005, 13:14
- Location: In the place through which we wander.
Agree, A Rock and FALAA would be my first choice but I can live with the radio friendly Walk Away and NTTC.peartree_productions wrote:The version of A Rock And A Hard Place that appears on (and elsewhere)
was considered for single release. Shame it wasn't, love this version...
"as we walk on the floodland"
always thought marian would have made out a great single as song AND production are great and mass-compatible back than (have a look at wasteland, although this was given a much better finish for being a single by all accounts).
black planet also, maybe title and lyrics are not perfect for a (first) single. falaa would have been a great single if the track was produced differently, more like the newcastle/gwt or dance on glass versions.
possession imo is the weakest produced track - i really started to like it only with the 91 live renditions which are really great, and almost strong as a single.
in fact it would be great to get some of the tracks re-recorded.
black planet also, maybe title and lyrics are not perfect for a (first) single. falaa would have been a great single if the track was produced differently, more like the newcastle/gwt or dance on glass versions.
possession imo is the weakest produced track - i really started to like it only with the 91 live renditions which are really great, and almost strong as a single.
in fact it would be great to get some of the tracks re-recorded.
love is just a shot away
- Aazhyd
- Amphetamine Filth
- Posts: 229
- Joined: 29 Apr 2009, 07:48
- Location: The low damp ground
- Contact:
Walk Away is decent, No Time To Cry is weak, in my opinion. Very different from earlier Sisters singles. There's no magic in these songs.
Only the Americans could have built a place like this in the middle of a jungle.
- AdrenaChris
- Amphetamine Filth
- Posts: 186
- Joined: 17 Apr 2009, 21:59
- Location: Ing-er-land
Walk Away took me some time to warm up to, and I still don't think its great. A good enough song though. I've always liked NTTC though.
What about Amphetamine Logic? its got enough kick to have been a single
What about Amphetamine Logic? its got enough kick to have been a single
Ah the record company would never have allowed it, and the radio stations would never have played it...
The Chancer Corporation
Now that, for me, is the genuine weak link in the LP.AdrenaChris wrote:What about Amphetamine Logic? its got enough kick to have been a single
Time to get me coat, I fear.
If I told them once, I told them a hundred times to put 'Spinal Tap' first and 'Puppet Show' last.
- vicus
- Utterly Bastard Groovy Amphetamine Filth
- Posts: 990
- Joined: 21 Apr 2002, 01:00
- Location: behind the door
- Contact:
stufarq wrote:Some sources (can't remember which) have the November leg of that tour (ie the bit that wasn't actually in October - or the UK for that matter) named the Walk Away tour.paint it black wrote:walk away was the focus for the black october tour wasn't it?
![Image](http://www.myheartland.co.uk/gallery/data/media/4/anz_blackoctober.gif)
"Am Anfang wurde das Universum erschaffen.
Das machte viele Leute sehr wütend und wurde allenthalben als Schritt in die falsche Richtung angesehen."
http://www.poison-door.net/
Das machte viele Leute sehr wütend und wurde allenthalben als Schritt in die falsche Richtung angesehen."
http://www.poison-door.net/
That's an advert for the single with the clearly labelled Black October tour dates underneath it. I suppose it could be responsible for confusion if someone misread it but I've seen the European tour given that name somewhere.
Oh, hang on. Are you pointing out that the advert only has the UK dates named as Black October, thus supporting the idea that the November dates had a different name?
Oh, hang on. Are you pointing out that the advert only has the UK dates named as Black October, thus supporting the idea that the November dates had a different name?
Any more of that and we'll be round your front door with the quick-setting whitewash and the shaved monkey.
-
- Black, black, black & even blacker
- Posts: 4946
- Joined: 11 Jul 2002, 01:00
my old website had all of the tours labelled by their correct names and durations
http://www.lak.co.za/pib/
http://www.lak.co.za/pib/
Goths have feelings too
There seem to be several different versions of the "correct" names though. For instance, the official site doesn't give Black October a name at all (although it does differentiate between the October and November tours) and I've also seen tours named Silence Is Platinum and Armageddon (I'd have to look them up to see which they supposedly were) as well as Trans Europe Excess used for two entirely different tours in different years.
Any more of that and we'll be round your front door with the quick-setting whitewash and the shaved monkey.