I finally got hold of a copy (yes and I do mean a copy, I had to because it was sold out) of the Mecano collection "The 1/2" Universe". This is a collection of their music from the beginning of the 1980's. I had (and still have) two ep's ("Subtitled" and "Untitled") a single ("Escape the Human Myth") and an album ("Autoportrait"). I still really like the first EP's and the single. The Meccano imagery on the sleeves, the way the music sounds a bit 'rough' yet extremely well constructed and performed, and the lyrics with their fascination with Russia and communism. A few years later, "Autoportrait" never did much for me.
Fast forward 23 years and listening to the first cd of the collection on the iPod I am still fascinated by the music and lyrics (the wife keeps complaining about the charcoal accent of the singer). But then comes the second cd and although the singer's voice is very much improved, during the first tracks I keep thinking of the fast forward button. Halfway through there are a few good tracks but after that you cut to their first 'punk' single and a few live tracks (which often sound distorted).
Well, I have a feeling of disappointment and feeling 'glad I didn't actually buy this'. It's great to have this stuff available on cd (well, ehhh, it's not available anymore) but it's not a compilation I will listen to often.
I think I can (and will) compile one single cd from this containing the music I really love and will keep loving.
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