Old school.
In the early 80s Bauhaus were an influential dynamo; widely thought to have been instrumental in the creation of Goth as a genre and then moving easily into and through post-punk and out the other side. As exciting and creative a band as they were then their lasting legacy for most people under 30 who aren’t huge Goth fans today is probably limited to knowledge of their single ‘Bela Lugosi’s Dead’ from 1979 right at the start of their career and perhaps even their cover of T-Rex’s ‘Telegram Sam’ from 1980 which was featured on 80s TV show Max Headroom.
It might seem a shame for a band that influenced so many other bands such as Nine Inch Nails, AFI, Interpol and many, many others to be sidelined in this way, but unfortunately for Bauhaus, this new but posthumous album by today’s definition of Goth/Punk sounds a bit antiquated; it seems that in the years they were away things have changed quite a bit and they’re left trying to stand still in the current.
“Go Away White” has all the hallmarks of classic Bauhaus; the low dark crooning vocals, bass heavy rumblings, lo-fi production and a glam rock edge and even though this is their first album since 1983, there are some catchy, sexy, groove driven tunes to be had. But perhaps on the other hand it’s twenty odd years too late, because if you set it beside releases from such poppy ‘goth/punk’ offerings as My Chemical Romance or AFI the difference is vast • the kids want fast, catchy, pop driven metal riffed heavyness not dark, thoughtful, psychedelic and minimal.
Bauhaus are no longer creating music as a band; their 1998 reunion finally fading after a 1995 tour with Nine Inch Nails and then the recording of this album which is finally getting a release after their split. Hopefully, there are enough proper Goth fans out there because this album might be an emotional blast from the past with a seriously retro sound but it also has some really decent tunes like ‘International Bullet Proof Talent’ and ‘Saved’; melancholy, dark, eccentric and swirling, reminding you how vital they once were.