Dead Can Dance 1981-1998

Dead Can Dance

1981-1998 (Rhino) Meaningful career retrospectives strike a balance between songs that make a band influential enough to warrant such a collection in the first place, and a gatherall of goodies for the die-hards who have all the pre-released material. With a band like Dead Can Dance, this balance is imperative given the passionate devotion of their fans and the utter uniqueness of their work. Formed in Australia in 1981, Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry moved to London shortly afterward, and landed a deal with the independent 4AD label. Within a few years, the pair honed their trademark sound painting -- angelic vocals and melancholy melodies ensconced within Latin, Middle Eastern, and tribal percussion. Boasting nearly 50 audio tracks on three CDs, this compendium spans DCD's 17-year history, from a demo version of their first composition, "Frontier," to "The Lotus Eaters," their unreleased last. Familiar tracks are included: "The Host of the Seraphim," "Cantara," "Yulunga (Spirit Dance)," "American Dreaming," "Sanvean" and "De Profundis." Underrated tunes are included too, such as "Song of the Nile," a flowing, shimmering melody of sounds written by these two Celtic musicians who use Japanese instruments to help successfully evoke Egypt's Rio Grande. Staunch fans have much to celebrate with the inclusion of unreleased cuts, including some from the BBC Peel Sessions, and others culled from recent radio broadcasts, such as Gerrard's haunting rendition of "The Wind That Shakes the Barley," a traditional Irish a cappella number that -- stripped down to its raw essence -- weeps with triumphant emotion. The big bonus is the inclusion of a DVD that contains historical promotional shorts and Toward the Within, the group's celebrated concert film. This one's a sure bet. A desert island collection. Did they really have to break up?