Exercise in Tension is the debut studio album of Dessau, released in 1989 by Carlyle Records.[1][2]

Exercise in Tension
Studio album by
Released1989 (1989)
Recorded1988 (1988) – 1989 (1989)
Studio
Various
    • Sound Emporium
    • (Nashville, Tennessee)
    • Treasure Isle
    • (Chicago, Illinois)
GenreIndustrial rock
Length31:06
LabelCarlyle
Producer
Dessau chronology
Happy Mood
(1986)
Exercise in Tension
(1989)
Details Sketchy
(1995)
Singles from LetDownCrush
  1. "Isolation"
    Released: 1988
  2. "Beijing"/"Europe Light"
    Released: 1990

Music edit

The track "Europe Light" was originally released on the Happy Mood EP and was then provided to the 1989 Music View – Radio's Alternative Talk Show No. 59 & #60 compilation by Joseph Fox Communications, Inc.[3] The song was also remixed and released as additional material on the compact disc version and the following year as a single with "Beijing" on August 3, 1990.[4] The band's cover of Joy Division's "Isolation" was recorded in 1988 and produced by Paul Barker of Revolting Cocks and Al Jourgensen of Ministry.[5][6] The cover has been released as a 12" single and on three various artists compilations: C'Est La Silenz Qui Fait La Musique... (1994, Electro Pulse),[7] CDPRO Vol #13 (June 1996) (1996, EMI Music Canada)[8] and Down & Dirty (1999, Pet Rock).[9] "Isolation" and the track "Beijing", from the CD edition of the album, became a minor hits for the band.[10][11]

Reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic     [1]

AllMusic awarded Exercise in Tension a rating of three out of five stars.[1]

Track listing edit

All tracks are written by John Elliott, Barry Nelson and Mike Orr, except "Isolation" by Ian Curtis, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook and Stephen Morris

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Never Change"4:52
2."No Way"3:32
3."Move Seoul"3:21
4."Principal Tension"3:18
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."More Than Mad"3:55
2."Europe Light"3:24
3."Shovel"3:41
4."Isolation" (Joy Division cover)5:03
Bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
9."Crowfest"5:57
10."Imperial Hotel" (Remix)6:08
11."Beijing (Dessau song)"5:52
12."Europe Light" (Remix)6:54

Personnel edit

Adapted from the Exercise in Tension liner notes.[12]

Dessau

Production and design

Release history edit

Region Date Label Format Catalog
United States 1989 Carlyle CD, CS, LP CR-6689
Netherlands CD, CS CAR-269516
Germany CD, LP

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Dessau: Exercise in Tension > Overview". AllMusic. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  2. ^ "Dessau: Details Sketchy". Option. 24–29. Sonic Options Network: 108. 1989. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  3. ^ Radio's Alternative Talk Show #59 & #60 (sleeve). Various Artists. New York City: Joseph Fox Communications, Inc. 1989.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ "Dessau: Beijing > Overview". AllMusic. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  5. ^ DJ Hypno5 (August 26, 2015). "Isolation – Dessau: Revisit Industrial Classic From 1988". Hypno5ive. Retrieved September 6, 2020.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Jourgensen, Al (September 8, 2015). Production Credits. Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen. Hachette Books. p. 283. ISBN 9780306824647. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  7. ^ C'Est La Silenz Qui Fait La Musique... (booklet). Various Artists. Germany: SilenZ Records. 1991.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ CDPRO Vol #13 (June 1996) (booklet). Various Artists. Mississauga, Ontario: EMI Music Canada. 1996.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ Huey, Steve. "Dessau: Legends of Rock: Down & Dirty > Review". AllMusic. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  10. ^ A. Gordon, Rev. Keith. "Dessau > Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  11. ^ Pfanenstiel, Bart; Schock, David (1998). "Artists: Dessau". WTII Records. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  12. ^ Exercise in Tension (booklet). Dessau. Nashville, Tennessee: Carlyle Records. 1989.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

External links edit