Digitally remastered and expanded two CD edition of this 1986 album by the Sheffield-based post punk outfit. Chasing Shadows lists Robert Palmer (a constant champion of the band) as co-producer. The second CD in this set is the little-known 1990 album Fire On The Moon which was recorded while the Comsats were briefly known as Dream Command. One of the most underrated acts of the early 80's, the quartet twinned together sparse, economical musicianship and a large sound. Perhaps too dark for populist tastes at the time, Comsat's music has been described as "abstract pop songs with spare instrumentation, many of which were bleak and filled with some form of heartache." Unjustly overlooked for their important contribution to music, their influence however, is enormous; the haunting atmospherics and simply played, but expansive nature of their music having a direct effect on countless post-punk revival bands including Blacklist, Bell Hollow, Editors and Interpol.
J**S
An exceptionally good album
One of the finest albums that no one knows about. Although a lot of these songs are available for listen on youtube, the sound quality of this remaster justifies owning this wonderful album.
S**B
Steal This Disc
Finally available and not a disappointment . The opposite. Some songs not as richly layered as remembered, Robert Palmers cameo in "You'll Never Know" for one, but as a whole it stands the test of time.
E**C
Great Unknown Band
Great band, great CDs, great packaging.
G**Y
Better Late Than Never
After years of price-gouging on the second-hand market for the long out-of-print Renascent reissues of their seminal first three records, beloved post-punk stalwarts The Comsat Angels are up for reevaluation again with special editions of Waiting for a Miracle, Sleep No More, and Fiction arriving from Edsel November 20th. The gem in this reissue series is the inclusion of the band’s last classic record, Chasing Shadows. Unavailable since its original release in 1986, Chasing Shadows has been reissued and remastered for the first time and comes packaged with the band’s one-off record as Dream Command – 1990’s Fire on the Moon.While The Comsat Angels were oft-trivialized and underappreciated during their career, the passage of time has afforded them the coveted status of cult heroes. Their records have aged incredibly well in comparison to that of their peers due to exceptional production values other groups lacked. Aided by the powerhouse rhythm section of Mike Glaisher and Kevin Bacon, as well as singer-guitarist Stephen Fellow’s thoughtful introspections and stately guitar lines, The Comsat Angels would eventually break into the commercial market albeit with increasing diminished returns such as the clunky Land (1983) and overproduced 7 Day Weekend (1985).Struggling to maintain their relevance as a major label act, The Comsat Angels returned to the dark melodicism of their early albums for 1986’s Chasing Shadows after inking a new record deal with the help of fan and label mate Robert Palmer. The record finds the band successfully transforming their previous insipid commercial fluff into genuinely moving material such as the pleading desperation of The Cutting Edge and aching ballad Carried Away. Chasing Shadows is especially noteworthy for containing Fellow’s finest vocal performance, as evident with the dark rock swagger of Under the Influence and plaintive Pray for Rain.Palmer himself shows up on You’ll Never Know, while Bacon’s throbbing, commanding bass drives The Thought That Counts. Keyboardist Andy Peake provides further emotional weight, as washes of ambient pads and electric piano give the record a slight adult contemporary flavor. Previously a vinyl only b-side to The Cutting Edge single, the excellent Something’s Got to Give sees the light of day as a bonus track. It’s one of the darkest songs from the Chasing Shadow sessions and should have been included on the original album.Unfortunately, The Comsat Angels hopped back on the manufactured pop bandwagon for 1990’s Fire on the Moon (released under the terrible pseudonym Dream Command). The stiff performances and perfunctory songwriting void any replay value, making Fire on the Moon sound as if it could have been released between Land and 7 Day Weekend. Now a spent creative force, the band released two more lukewarm albums before respectably hanging it up in 1995.Admittedly, a large portion of The Comsat Angel’s canon is spotty at best. However, at the height of their prowess they made some of the finest music to come out of Britain in the early 1980s. Chasing Shadows remains an exemplary record in The Comsat Angel’s discography and proved after a string of duds that the band was no one-trick pony.
A**T
One Star
Only one song I liked. Most expensive single song I purchased in decades.
B**Z
taking the best from the first five LPs and subjecting them to ...
While I feel that Helix (the Radio 1 sessions) is the most dramatic of all the Comsat Angels releases, taking the best from the first five LPs and subjecting them to live performance, I would argue that Chasing Shadows is the Comsat's finest hour, followed closely by My Minds Eye. Of course I like Fiction et al but Chasing Shadows is just better. There is no filler, all of the songs are strong and like most Comsat's stuff the songs are both textured, sparse and fulsome. Steve fellows is in fine form on guitar and his rich voice provides just the right timbre for the songs. Normally, I would argue for Mik Glaisher as the USP - especially on Helix and My Mind's Eye - but here it's Andy Peake especially when he's playing piano as he does so beautifully and organically on Pray For Rain. As Steve says in the notes "Andy's the most accomplished musician and I can listen to his improvisations all night". I already had the CD (as CS Angels) and the 12" of Cutting Edge with the B side "something's got to give" but this CD gives you SGTG so I had to have it. It's not filler either - it's as good if not better than the other songs on Chasing Shadows. Now, onto Fire on the Moon. Always tricky as nobody has ever seemed to like it and I remember hearing it in 1991 and didn't feel minded to tape it at the time. But with several quite good tracks (including Venus Hunter and Ice Sculpture) already on the two Comsat Angels later rarities compilations, it was time to give it another go 20 years on. And you know what, and although it is a product of its time (like 7 day weekend), it's not bad and it does actually sound like the Comsats. So, another worthwhile addition - at no cost. This is a bargain. Buy it for Chasing Shadows; get Fire on the Moon for free.
J**
comsat in your lap
Chasing shadows lacks the edgy post punk spirit of their first 4 albums and treads more placid waters...more emphasis on melody and radio friendly tunes....still lovely though...fire on the moon isn't too shabby and has its moments....good price as well......but we need land and 7 day weekend on cd but due to contractual problems don't expect it to happen within your lifetime. .
I**E
Something's Got To Give - Now it has
Great album with good sound, I am glad Demon records got round to finally re-releasing this undervalued set along with the Classic 12" B Side Something's Got To Give, in my opinion one of their very finest songs.Its a great shame that the 7 Day Weekend and Land reissues have now been cancelled why this is I don't know one can only surmise that its because of legal wranglings it looks as though these two releases will be in the dark until the forseeable futureI hope that another label can step up and release them if Edsel cannot
V**E
One of my favourite bunch of musicians
The Comsat Angels took their name from a J. G. Ballard short story. This album is introspective, moody but ultimately a minor triumph. To have their album under the name of Dream Command is a bonus. One of the most underestimated bands of their era. To Steve and the rest of the band I salute you all.
I**H
Two very good albums by this vastly underrated band
Two very good albums by this vastly underrated band...although Fire On The Moon was recorded as Dream Command it is still the Comsat Angels.Apparently Stephen Fellows hates Fire On The Moon but I personally find quite alot to like.Regards Ian Birch
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