Bumped up with the relevant singles, EPs etc, THE DANSE SOCIETY's debut six-track mini-LP "Seduction" now clocks in at an attractive 66 minutes and is surely the definitive compiltion of their early independent years 1981-83.
Keyboardist Lyndon Scarfe's informative liner notes tell a familiar tale of scrimping, saving and blind enthusiasm as the Barnsley boys attempt to forge their legend in those far off early 1980s, but their first recordings still work surprisingly effectively. Indeed, debut single, "Clock" hits a nerve once again following September 11th and - despite being recorded on the cheap in Stockport - "These Frayed Edges" retains an infectiously murky charm.
By contrast, the three John Peel-recorded tunes that formed the "Woman's Own" EP are a decidedly mixed bag. "We're So Happy" just sounds turgid and overblown; "Belief" like an iffy PIL out-take, yet "Woman's Own" itself is monstrously good, digging itself in the ribs as it surges after several great rhythmic ideas and leaves you breathless.
The six tracks from "Seduction" itself stand up successfully enough to further scrutiny today. "Ambition" always wrongfoots, drifting in on Scarfe's keyboard clouds before pummelling itself into shapes akin to NEW ORDER's "Movement" (not a bad thing at all); "Godsend" rides in on some fine subterranean pulses from bassist Tim Wright and revels in a radid urgency, whilst "Danse/ Move" previews a dance/ rock crossover potential years before its' time and "In Heaven (Everything Is Fine)" - not the DAVID LYNCH/ PIXIES one (or is it?) - providing a suitably glacial finale, lonely piano chords taking a slo-mo tussle with echoing guitar and Steve Rawlings' numbed-out chant drifting off into the ether. Splendid.
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Best of all, though, this edition also features both sides of the great "Somewhere"/ "Hide" single, encapsulating all the most positive elements of THE DANSE SOCIETY's vision. "Somewhere" is a belter to this day, all pulverising rhythms, monolithic keyboards from Scarfe, lightning -strike guitar amd Rawlings' throaty mumble. Oh, and a tune to die for. "Hide" is no slouch either: the band thundering away like they're on top of the world and for once sounding utterly carefree. It's no surprise this is the one that got them the Arista deal, but that's another story (see our "Heaven Is Waiting" review.)
Understandably, some elements of THE DANSE SOCIETY's sound have not fared as well with time, not least some of the studio techniques and also Paul Nash's "11 O'Clock Tick Tock" guitar inflections tend to grate after a while. Plus, in some cases ("Continent", "We're So Happy", "Falling Apart") some better tunes and a few less earnest statements would have worked wonders.
However, twenty long years down the line, there's still a goodly amount in the early DANSE SOCIETY catalogue to recommend reappraisal. Besides, "Seduction (The Society Collection)" proves conclusively that THE DANSE SOCIETY were always a good cut above most of the mulch emanating from the Yorkshire Goth heartland. And for knocking spots off THE MISSION, this richly deserves a 7.
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