China Crisis Album: “Working With Fire & Steel”

"Winters here in a snow white haze, fires burning brightly in the night" ooooooh the hair at the nape of my neck stands-the album is awesome and creates an ambience like no other. Original-and unlike today's music the songs here are subtle with the power to move.

One of my most listened-to records of all time. Every song is amazing; often utilizing trumpets, flutes, and oboes (to beautiful emotional effects). This record received no airplay (even in the 80's), I couldn't find it on CD until now.

Some of the best British synth-pop from the 80s you've never heard of. Try to find the vinyl EP of "Fire and Steel". It has cuts that you'll never hear elsewhere. One was made on a 4-track machine in a bedroom. Garry & Eddy are the dudes. They deserve much more notoriety than they have gotten.

During my early years of 80's New Wave collecting I constantly stumbled (at that is the word) over China Crisis, usually attached to either the tracks "Wishful Thinking" or "Black Man Ray". Both were fine tracks, but did not seem to represent the special attention the group received from many far more knowledgeable new wave collectors. It was an extended remix of "With Fire And Steel" that finally caught my ear and spent a good summer in constant rotation. Its minimalist rhythm backed by some incredibly distinct vocal delivery hooked me from the start. Slowly more songs seeped into my collection and playlists and each played upon the others strengths and weaknesses. When the smoke cleared, I was able to appreciate nearly all of the works China Crisis had produced, even "Diary of a Hollow Horse".

Like Talk Talk's later works, their sound can be very subtle and works best when approached with some patience. "Wishful Thinking", although it was their "hit" it's rigid rhythms and pop-inspired lyrics do not do their other works justice. Even though it may be contested, I found it is possibly the weakest track on this disc. But, if you enjoy that style best, I would also recommend the single "Arizona Sky" over "Wishful Thinking".

Other albums to try:

I bought this recording years ago in a local record store on a whim (my greatest musical treasures happened like that). After so many listenings the cassette tape is so worn and frazzled that it's sound quality is nil-I was beginning to think that I would never be able to hear this truly magnificent music again in all it's splendor. But, lo, and behold, here it is! Buy this CD, even if you've never heard a note of it. This truly is a perfect record, one that easily could be among the top 100 best albums of all time. Don't buy the "greatest hits" set- this is far better, a perfect set of songs to fall in love with.