I am not sure where Bauhaus falls on the list, but they surely merit discussion.
Goth probably exists with or without them but they definitely created a sound and vision that was something new from what came before.
The compilation Bauhaus 1979-1983 is one of the great retrospective albums of all time- drawing from their four albums augmented with essential non album tracks. It is four sides of nothing but classic songs
After such a remarkable run, most artists don’t quite have such a successful second act, but Peter Murphy and his bandmates certainly did.
In 1990, he hit his commercial peak with his third album Deep. The single “Cuts You Up” was a massive hit (it even broke the US Top 100) but is truly an all time great song.
I didn’t expect to follow Murphy but caught a listen to 1995s Cascade and quite fell in love with it. Single “Scarlet Thing in You” was limited to scant MTV airplay on 120 Minutes but it is a great song. The album that surrounds it was no filler either. With a team consisting of producer Pascal Gabriel and guitarist Paul Statham (the two men would go on to cowrite Dido’s debut single in 1999 and cowrite a song for Kylie Minogue’s 2001 Fever album) and innovative guitarist Michael Brook (who’s collaborated with Brian Eno, Robert Fripp and the Edge), Murphy combined Goth and Pop with atmospheric soundscapes and a Mediterranean influence.
Murphy would continue to release albums sporadically. Bauhaus would reunite on four occasions including a lengthy bit from 2005 to 2008 where they would release the album Go Away White- an album which did not quite match up to earlier work.
In 2019, Murphy would suffer a heart attack during the then recent Bauhaus reunion tour. Bauhaus would start 2022 with another regrouping and recording a new single. But as the band started the tour, they had to cancel. Murphy entered rehab amidst rumors of some old demons returning.
I have to admit that I had low expectations for album number 11, 2025s Silver Shade, but it definitely caught my ear.
Co-writer and production credits are shared with Killing Joke bassist turned superstar producer Youth. Trent Reznor contributes to four songs. Tool bassist Justin Chancellor plays on five songs, Tool drummer Danny Carey on two. The closing track is Let the Flowers Grow, a duet with Boy George
Age suits Goth rockers well and with a generation passing,
Murphy has become an elder statesman. While the album falls short of classic Bauhaus, it’s still quite the success.
While most songs don’t quite hit the transcendence of lead single “The Artroom Wonder”, songs like “Cochita is Lame” and “Swoon” are poppy earworms. Flamenco guitarist Amir John Haddad brings international flavor to the second side of the album.
Bowie has always been a close comparison to Murphy but it’s hard not to bring to mind the Reznor influenced Bowie albums of the 90s. This, like that of Bowie’s Outside doesn’t quite measure up as a masterpiece, but with a measure of ambition and a legendary talent, it is a decent genre exercise. Another obvious comparison is Gary Numan’s recent work.
Like Numan, it’s an update to his groundbreaking work from decades ago. The themes of futurism and apocalyptic fantasy mixed with World influences. If nothing else, it always is interesting.
Genre fans should enjoy.
Unfortunately Murphy is having health issues again and has cancelled his tour. He is 67 now but it would be great if we could get a few more records like this from him.
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