PLAY DEAD

“There's no escape when living in the sin if sins … Sin of sins “

If there is one compilation (anthology, best of, greatest hits or whatever you want to call it) album that deserves much more attention it is this one.

Jungle Records already released ‘The Collection’ last year, march 2023, but better late than never for Peek-A-Boo to make you aware it’s still out there (ready to be purchased).

Play Dead formed in Banbury, Oxfordshire in 1980, and although they split up in 1986 the legacy they left us is, to put it mildly, outstanding.

With Robert Hickson on vocals, Re Vox (later replaced by Steve Green) on guitar, bassist Peter Waddleton and Mark "Wiff" Smith on drums they combined various styles such as Rock, Funk, Alternative Metal and Electronica into a unique sound that would make them become a part of and embraced into the fledgling Post-Punk Tribal scene.

Several singles included, Play Dead in total made 4 albums: The 1983 debut album ‘The First Flower’, which was promoted supporting Killing Joke on tour, ‘From The Promised Land’ (1984), the live album ‘Into The Fire‘ (1985), and the, on their own label (‘Tanz’) released final album, ‘Company Of Justice’ (1985).

‘The Collection’ is a must-have overview of their short-lived career, featuring 16 essential tracks selected by the band itself.

Shall I name some? ‘The Tenant’, ‘Sin Of Sins’, ‘Sacrosant’, ‘This Side Of Heaven’, ‘Burning Down’ , …

Summed up in as few words as possible: A 'not-to-put-it-too-far-away-because-you-are-going-to-want-to-blast-it-through-your-speakers-often' album!

* Play Dead - The Collection (orcd.co) *

Hayley CLX
30/09/2024