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
  • 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

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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

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic     [1]

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

Track listing

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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

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

Dessau

Production and design

Release history

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

References

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  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)
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