Search - Delta 5 :: Singles & Sessions 1979-81

Delta 5 finally on CD, though unfortunately on the KRS label

Scott Davies | Ohio | 07/03/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I've only had a few experiences with the Kill Rock Stars label, and neither have been good. They are notorious for releasing CD's mastered from vinyl sources, many times sounding worse than what you could achieve at home with the most rudimentary equipment. This CD is not much different, though not as god awful as their Essential Logic CD.



"Singles and Sessions" is really nothing more than the three singles Delta 5 released on the Rough Trade label, as well as a selection of radio sessions and live tracks. The six Rough Trade songs have clearly all been mastered from vinyl. You have the standard clicks and pops that were missed by their cheap auto pop removal, which damages the music. You also have the ever-present turntable rumblings. The radio sessions and live songs came from tapes, probably because there was no cheap shortcut around that since they didn't ever exist on vinyl.



As others have pointed out, there is far too much missing from this CD, but then I'm not too concerned because if they licensed the Pre/Charisma material, they'd have just mastered those from records as well. I'll make my own CD and be happy with it.



Delta 5 is often hailed as Post-Punk legends. While I appreciate their unique style, dueling basses and dual female vocalists, most of the songs were pretty good, though few were stunning. Ironically, the bands best songs, "Power lines" and "The heart is a lonely hunter", were released as their final single in 1982, after a dramatic line up shift. Had they continued to record a second album, I can only assume it would have been brilliant.



This CD does contain a couple songs from radio sessions which were not ever officially released. Of those, "Singing the praises" is the best. While it was pretty good, it wasn't enough for me to hold on to this CD. I parted with it via eBay, and vow never to purchase another CD released by Kill Rock Stars. Message to KRS, and any other cheapskate or lazy indie label: MASTER TAPES, MASTER TAPES, MASTER TAPES!"

Excellent Classic Post-Punk

F. Go | 01/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WOW, this CD is great.I was always curious about Delta 5 knowing they ran in the same circles as Gang of Four & the Mekons.Similar in sound to bands like Au Pairs,The Slits,Raincoats, Bush Tetras & the aforementioned Gang of Four.Something must be in the water during that time because they all share a similar sound, funky rhythmns, angular guitar, female vocals..This CD has all their singles,Peel sessions, & a few songs from a live gig from Berkely in 1980.Excellent."

Great music, however too much missing...

P. Marter | Vancouver, B. C., Canada | 03/06/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"While it is nice to see some of this excellent bands music back in print I can only rate at 3 stars. My biggest problem is that all the releases by this band, 3 early 7" singles, 1 LP, an unreleased 7" b-side (Leaving), and their final 7" Powerlines b/w The Heart is a Lonely Hunter could have fit on one cd. Why issue this recording with only the first 3 7" singles, a few LP tracks, and 3 live tracks?"