![]() There are few things in this world that are better than sitting down with a glass of wine, some ambient music playing, and a story to write. Whether I am writing for work or for pleasure, the right song or album can make both the words and the time fly. To me, silence and writer’s block are nearly inseparable. With a little bit of mood music, the words just flow from my brain to my hands. When I’m writing, for instance, I find much more success with music playing in the background. Nearly all of my daily activities, in fact, have a soundtrack of some sort that make them more enjoyable. However, even all of my other hobbies involve music in some way or another. Well, along with downloading torrents, writing, and exercise, that is. I don’t know about you, but for me, personally, music is nearly my whole life. Ball went on to form The Grid, peaking with million-selling international hit ‘Swamp Thing’, as well as working as a producer and writer for the likes of Kylie Minogue and remixer for David Bowie, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Yello & The B-52’s.A world without music is certainly not one that I would want to live in. Intervening years have seen both Marc Almond and Dave Ball’s talent recognised with successful solo careers in their own right, with Almond awarded an Ivor Novello Inspiration Award in 2013, as well as an OBE this year’s New Year’s Honours List. A cover of Gloria Jones’ Northern Soul staple that kept the original’s yearning tone, Soft Cell enveloped the track with a slowed down instantly recognisable synth riff – a nod to pop music’s past, yet wholly updated with the fresh, modern sound of the 80s that still holds up to this day. ‘Tainted Love’, Soft Cell’s boundless Number One hit, is perhaps the most emblematic and evocative song of the era. The unique combination of Ball’s musicianship and Almond’s tender yet assured delivery on songs such as ‘Memorabilia’, ‘Torch’, and of course their trademark ‘Say Hello, Wave Goodbye’ inhabits a unique place in British music history. The incredible string of hits Soft Cell produced during this time, including ten tracks that reached the UK Top 40 singles charts, need little introduction. One of the most influential groups to emerge from the electronic music scene in the UK in the 1980s, Soft Cell produced five albums of original material, book-ended by their debut 1981’s ‘Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret’, and 2002’s ‘Cruelty Without Beauty’. This was the band’s ONLY and last EVER show. ![]() Marc Almond and Dave Ball performed together for a one-off show, ‘Say Hello, Wave Goodbye’, as they celebrate their 40th anniversary as a duo with their first UK show since 2003. Synth-pop pioneers Soft Cell reunited for one last time at London’s The O2 on Sunday 30th September 2018 – their first UK show for 15 years. Standard retail versions will follow in 2019. Please Note: Release Date & Artwork May Be Subject To Change. These are deluxe limited editions. ![]()
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