First and Last and Always

First and Last and Always
Studio album by The Sisters of Mercy
Released	March 11, 1985. On CD: 1988, 1992 and 2006
Recorded	1984
Genre	Gothic rock Post punk
Length	45:37
Label	Merciful Release / Eastwest / WEA
Producer	David M. Allen 2006 reissue: Andy Zax
Professional reviews
Allmusic link Q Favourable Dec. 1999, p.171
The Sisters of Mercy chronology
First and Last and Always (1985) Floodland (1987)
Singles from First and Last and Always
"Walk Away" Released: October 1984 "No Time to Cry" Released: February 1985

First and Last and Always, the debut album by UK band The Sisters of Mercy was released as a vinyl record on March 11, 1985, on band's own label Merciful Release under distribution contract with Eastwest/WEA. It has been described by songwriter and singer Andrew Eldritch as 'some decent songs, but iffy production' ^[1].

All members of the band except Andrew Eldritch left the group after the album's promotional concert tour.

Despite Eldritch's highly vocal rejection of the designation "Goth", First and Last and Always has consistently been praised in the canon of gothic rock, and in December, 1999, Q magazine included it in their list of "The Best Gothic Albums of All Time".

A CD version, based on second generation tapes and containing remixes by Andrew Eldritch originally made for the original Japanese vinyl, was released in 1988. On the UK 1988 CD all ten tracks are those remixes. On the USA 1988 CD most of the ten tracks are those remixes, but some are the original mixes. The barcode number of the UK 1988 CD is 0-22924-06162-2. The USA 1988 CD is Elektra Records 0-75596-04052-5.

The remixed 1988 CD has been remastered and re-released in 1992. In the US the 1992 CD was never available as a domestic pressing but only as a UK-Import. The barcode number of the 1992 CD is 0-90317-73792-8.

Many fans have considered the original 1985 vinyl version to be superior ^[2]. After more than 20 years the original 1985 mix has been released as a CD in 2006. The 2006 CD also features all b-side tracks of the two singles off the album. Like the 1992 CD, the 2006 CD does not exist as a domestic pressing in the US and is only available as a UK-Import. The barcode is 50-51011-75792-1. Unfortunately, the remix version of "Body Electric" from the "Body And Soul" single still remains the only track of the 1984/85 era that has not been released on any official CD format.

Except for the 2006 CD, "Amphetamine Logic" is listed as "Logic" on the album, because WEA insisted that many high street retailers would not stock the album if the word "Amphetamine" was used. The band decided not to contest this in preference to incurring possible delays with the album release and difficulties with their contract ^[3].

Track listing

(all lyrics written by Andrew Eldritch except where noted)

1. "Black Planet" (music: Hussey) – 4:27
2. "Walk Away" (music: Hussey) – 3:20
3. "No Time to Cry" (music: Adams, Marx, Hussey) – 3:54
4. "A Rock and a Hard Place" (music: Hussey) – 3:36
5. "Marian (version)" (music: Hussey) – 5:37
6. "First and Last and Always" (music: Marx) – 3:58
7. "Possession" (music: Hussey, Eldritch, Adams) – 4:36
8. "Nine While Nine" (music: Marx) – 4:07
9. "Amphetamine Logic" (music: Marx) – 4:46
10. "Some Kind of Stranger" (music: Marx) – 7:16

2006 CD reissue bonus tracks

11. "Poison Door" (words and music: Marx)
12. "On the Wire" (music: Andrew Eldritch)
13. "Blood Money" (contentious)
14. "Bury Me Deep" (music: Andrew Eldritch)
15. "Long Train" (music: Andrew Eldritch)
16. "Some Kind of Stranger (Early Version)" (music: Marx)

On the original 7" and 12" singles, "Blood Money" is listed as Hussey/Eldritch, a reversal of the normal order, thereby implying that its credits are words: Hussey, music: Eldritch.

Personnel

• Andrew Eldritch - vocals
• Wayne Hussey - guitar, backing vocals
• Gary Marx - guitar
• Craig Adams - bass guitar
• Doktor Avalanche (drum machine) - drums
• Dave Allen - producer

References