Track Listing

1. Memorabilia (Single Version)
2. Tainted Love (Original Version)
3. Where Did Our Love Go? (Single Version)
4. Bedsitter
5. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Single Version)
6. Sex Dwarf (Original Version)
7. Torch (Original Version)
8. Insecure Me (2002 Edit)
9. What?
10. Where The Heart Is (Single Version)
11. Its A Mugs Game
12. Numbers (2002 Edit)
13. Loving You Hating Me
14. Soul Inside (Single Version)
15. Down In The Subway (Single Version)
16. Somebody, Somewhere, Sometime
17. Divided Soul
18. Tainted Love (2XS Remix)
19. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Almighty Radio Edit)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4649 in Music
• Released on: 2002-04-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds
• Running time: 76 minutes

CD Description
Comprehensive collection of the most popular tracks by the Leeds-formed electro-pop duo. It supercedes the 1991 compilation, 'The Singles' as it contains five additional tracks. Their five top ten singles of the eighties are included.

Customer Reviews

An almost perfect compilation!
Great to hear all these tracks again now that they've been remastered. The sound is much improved but, I only wish they had included the tracks from their very first single "Mutant Moments E.P.".

I'm not a big fan of remixes of old records.
But, an exception must be made for the 2XS remix of "Tainted Love". Which somehow manages to update but, not spoil the original magic. Whereas Marilyn Manson's take on the song is slow. This (Electronic Drum & Bass-styled) version is faster than the original! I read in a Dave Ball interview that they personally asked them to remix this and loved the results. Always nice to know whether the artist approves i think. Buy without doubt.

The Definitive Synth Pop Duo
Respect is definitely due for this often overlooked synth act who together with the Human League, were very much ahead of the game.
On the surface, this may look like another thoughtless compilation with memories of 1991's cash in on Marc Almond's successful solo career, but a lot of love and attention has gone into this new release.
The sound quality is crisp and delightful. Tainted Love still sounds years ahead of the pretenders whilst the perennial classic 'Say Hello, Wave Goodbye' still has that ability to send shivers down the neck. Almond's vocal delivery ranks along side Phil Oakey, Matt Johnson (The The) and Neil Tennant who all manage to convey masses of high emotion and wit (something that lacks from 'technically gifted' Pop Idol moppets that now litter the UK charts).
Almond has always sang from the heart bringing an extra dimension to the more sleazy tracks such as the irresistible Sex Dwarf included here in full glory.
Dave Ball's unique ability at pushing the electronics to their limits whilst never forgetting the importance of toe-tapping, melodic brilliance - should also be worshipped here after listening to this compilation. It simply hasn't dated.
Other gems include the new mixes of Numbers whilst two long awaited new tracks have been included. Dead Souls and Somebody, Somewhere, Sometime are worthy to stand along side the old classic, proving that Soft Cell have rediscovered their electro heights of yesterday. Both tracks are impressive (with superb production from Ball) and they leave a mark raising hopes that the new album will be one to watch out for.
Praise must also go to the new mixes of Tainted Love and Say Hello Wave Goodbye - both updated here but never straying from the original appeal of these classics.
Ironic how this was released on the same day as the PSB's new but somewhat lacklustre album, but if you have to make a choice, this Soft Cell compilation will remain in your CD player for longer. Shame they couldn't add a new mix of Secret Life (it still deserves a single release after 20 years!) but the track listing here is near enough perfect.

The definitive synth 'pop' duo are back!

DECADENT ELECTRONIC CABARET
The early 1980s saw the emergence of the synth duo in the form of Yazoo, OMD, Eurythmics and Soft Cell amongst others. Yazoo had soulful vocals, OMD made spacious, almost classical music, Eurythmics changed with every album and Soft Cell had a certain air of dramatic decadence. (It's not hard to picture Marc Almond as a latterday Joel Grey in a synth cabaret)This superb collection of melodic songs includes two versions of their stunning hits Tainted Love and Say Hello Wave Goodbye. My other favourites are the catchy What?, Memorabilia and their lovely interpretation of Where Did Our Love Go? Marc Almond's voice doesn't have the widest range but the interplay between the vocals and the synths are always innovative. This hits collection is consistently enjoyable while some of their individual albums had lots of filler material, so this is truly the best and a fantastic listening experience.