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| Bauhaus. Left to right: David J (bass), Kevin Haskins (drums), Peter Murphy (vocals), Daniel Ash (guitar) |
As a quick history: Bauhaus formed in the late 70s at the end of the punk revolution (arguably dead once Sid Vicious called it quits on life). Bauhaus lived from 1978 through 1983, releasing several albums in the post-punk genre with darker themes and a very theatrical nature. Along with several other influential bands of the time (Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, The Cure, to name a few), this particular sect of post-punk became later known as Gothic Rock. I'll put aside the argument of whether or not it's proper to refer to bands like Bauhaus as Gothic Rock even though the term came to be used after they started.
Bauhaus, being one of those tumultuous English bands was as theatrical on stage as off. The split in 1983? While many fans could see it coming (you don't simply record almost an entire album without the singer who is sick with pneumonia and NOT have any sort of drama result), it was still rather abrupt. The split in 1998/1999 following the Resurrection reunion tour? Also very abrupt. The split in 2008/2009 after minimal touring (and no true tour to support their last collected effort, Go Away White)? Also abrupt. I suppose after three tries, it's easy enough to see why Peter Murphy has said in interviews "We still respect each other and are friends, but I never want to see them again." The energies are just too dynamic.
So, how does one describe Go Away White?
By and large, the majority of classic Bauhaus fans (i.e. those who have listened to the majority of their extensive discography...for only five years of music making magic) find this album to be well...horrible. One major issue with taking a break for 25 years is that influences and inspirations change. Since the last true Bauhaus album, Burning From the Inside (which arguably was more a proto-Love and Rockets album given how little involvement Peter Murphy had on the album), each member went on to many different projects, all deviating significantly from the Bauhaus sound. Peter Murphy went on to partner with ex-Japan bassist Mick Karn to form Dalis Car (which only saw one full length album before the two parted ways) followed by a very prolific (and ongoing) solo career marked by a more worldly sound. David J and Daniel Ash joined with a Bauhaus roadie, Glenn Camping, to form Tones on Tail, a mostly experimental band with only a couple big club-worthy hit songs ("Go!" and "Christian Says"). J and Ash rejoined with J's brother Kevin to form the fairly popular Love and Rockets (which has gone the route of Bauhaus in more recent years and fallen apart). J and Ash also have carried various solo projects with Ash's solo work being perhaps the closest to the original Bauhaus sound (but also the most sparse in terms of releases).
So, all that put forth, it is perhaps understandable as to why so many of the "Bauhaus-elite" find Go Away White to be more annoying than anything else. The changes each member went through in those 25 years must have had an effect. And clearly one we dislike.
But is it just us? I have had the great fortune to see former frontman Peter Murphy live four times. He has kindly taken to playing a handful of Bauhaus songs during his set as he feels any future Bauhaus reunion is well...not happening. Every now and then he brings out a song from this album. For being the most recent album, you would think he'd remember the lyrics better than perhaps ones from the first Bauhaus album (1980's In the Flat Field). I mean, the first time I saw him was the summer of 2009...a year or so after Go Away White made its appearance. I remember he played "Too Much 21st Century." He had to have a lyric sheet in front of him that he looked at almost the entire time (I was close enough to see it had the lyrics on it). Perhaps this is a sign even Peter Murphy doesn't think much of the album?
In interviews, the band have openly remarked how this final album isn't much like their earlier sound. This perhaps begs the question of why even do it? Presumably, upon hearing that a great band from the early 80s is making a return, albeit brief, one would hope for a possible continuation of where the band left off at. Instead, we got something incredibly different and, in some sense, disappointing as the final sendoff for Bauhaus.
Now, don't get me wrong in this critical review. I find Go Away White to be significantly better than just about anything on the radio today. But, it certainly is not the first Bauhaus album I think of listening to when I want to listen to them. Merely, I find myself skipping the entire album every time it comes up on my iTunes. And trust me, I wanted to love this album. Bauhaus has a very special place reserved in my heart. I've tried many times to love this album, but it just never hits. For comparison, I'll leave you with two videos. The first is just the track for "Too Much 21st Century." Because this album was made with the intent of being the final Bauhaus album from the get-go, there never was a single or music video from this album. Below is one of my favorite Bauhaus songs with its music video (1983's "She's In Parties," one of the only songs from Burning From the Inside that Peter Murphy sang on).
Rating: 2 of 5
More information: Official Bauhaus Website
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