The Sisters of Mercy
A Slight Case of Overbombing: Greatest Hits, Volume One

THE REVIEW

"Buy this collection! There are two unreleased tracks and two splendid remakes, one of "Temple of Love" and one of "Alice". But there are also alternative versions of songs that you already have on CD!"

With these words, a dear friend of mine, a long time ago, persuaded me and pushed me to spend a whopping 20 euros on a compilation by the Sisters of Mercy. A band which, for the sake of record, I quite like and of which I own all the (few) albums released during their unusual and bizarre career.

But what disappointment struck me when I inserted the CD into the player and started listening to it! That's all?? Yes, that's all! A collection of tracks, many of which are well-known even if slightly different from those on the official releases, with the addition of two rather bland unreleased tracks and two commercial remakes of two great songs by the Leeds group.

Dear Andrew, why did you do this to us? Were you perhaps short of money?

I'm trying to be kind but I just can't manage! How could you metalize "Temple Of Love" by throwing in Ofra Haza's voice (r.i.p.) in an attempt to win over the hearts of those "goths" whom good Eldritch, today more than ever, claims to despise? And why make a similar choice with a track of great intensity like "Alice"?

Let's not even talk about the pathetic "Under The Gun", sung by our dear one alongside Terri Nunn from Berlin, proud of its clichés and zero-grade sentimentalism.

The only track that, if considered closely, can be salvaged in this mediocre compilation is "Body & Soul". Let's be clear: nothing exceptional and nothing comparable to the old songs of the Sisters! Yet, in its simplicity and its mild melancholia, it manages to be appreciated.

For the rest, as already mentioned, it consists of old tracks by the band, some "alternative" and others identical to the versions you already (hopefully!) have on record.

Andrew, I say it again, you are a great in my eyes but, try as I might, I really don't understand the point of releases like this!