Into Battle with the Art of Noise
Into Battle with the Art of Noise is a 1983 EP by the Art of Noise—its first release, and also the first release by ZTT Records. The record represented the first instalment in the ZTT's Incidental Series (catalogue number ZTIS 100).[1]
Into Battle with the Art of Noise | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | 26 September 1983[1] | |||
Recorded | February – August 1983[1] | |||
Genre | Electro, synthpop, art pop, sound collage | |||
Length | 23:26 26:49 (USA Cassette) | |||
Label | ZTT ZTIS 100 (UK) Island 90137 (USA) | |||
Producer | Art of Noise[1] | |||
Art of Noise chronology | ||||
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Into Battle... constructed tracks using early sampling techniques centred on the Fairlight CMI workstation, which at that time represented the state-of-the-art in musical technology.
Reworked tracks
The two key hit tracks from the EP ("Beat Box" and "Moments in Love") were subsequently featured on the group's first LP, Who's Afraid of the Art of Noise?, except for the EP, "Beat Box" was remixed, reconstructed and substantially modified to concentrate more on musical experimentation rather than the raw hip-hop sound of the original. The LP version was designated "Diversion One", while the original EP version of "Beat Box" has since (unofficially) become known as "Diversion Zero."
Reissues
In 1986, Who's Afraid was combined with portions of Into Battle... and the 1985 "Moments in Love" 12-inch single, to form the Daft compilation.
In 2003, the original Into Battle... EP was issued on CD for the first time on a German-only release, but the release inexplicably included "Diversion One" of "Beat Box" in place of "Diversion Zero."
Into Battle... also features as part of disc four of the 2006 Art of Noise boxed set And What Have You Done with My Body, God?. The project was conceived, researched and compiled by music journalist (and Art of Noise aficionado) Ian Peel – sourced from the original masters – and restored the original version of "Beat Box" and features the 5:10 edit of "Moments in Love" from the cassette issue of the EP, neither track having been officially released on CD before.
In April 2011, Peel continued his archiving of ZTT material, now named the Element Series, with a Deluxe Edition reissue of Into Battle with the Art of Noise. As part of Record Store Day (16 April 2011), this Deluxe Edition was also released as a Limited Edition 2 LP vinyl version: both the original EP and the Worship material LP on 180g blue vinyl, limited to 500 copies worldwide.[2]
Cover art
The artwork depicted on the original EP sleeve is based on that of The Dave Brubeck Quartet's "Time Further Out" (1961), and incorporates a section of the panel "The Knights of Christ" from Jan van Eyck's Ghent Altarpiece.
Parody
The EP's title and elements of its visual and musical style were parodied by the group Mainframe with their 1984 12-inch single, "Into Trouble with the Noise of Art".
Reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [3] |
Allmusic reviewer Ned Raggett had positive views on the EP, stating "One listen to into Battle With the Art of Noise and some of the influences in industrial, hip-hop, techno, and pop become clearer."
Track listing
All songs except "Donna" were written by Anne Dudley, Trevor Horn, J.J. Jeczalik, Gary Langan, and Paul Morley.
US/UK Vinyl
Side 1
- "Battle" (0:25)
- "Beat Box" (4:48) (sampled drums played by Alan White of Yes)
- "The Army Now" (2:02)
(sampled vocals performed by The Andrews Sisters) - "Donna" (1:44) (additional music composed by Gary Langan)
Side 2
- "Moments in Love" (10:15) (Feat. Vocals perf. by Camilla Pilkington)
- "Bright Noise" (0:05)
- "Flesh in Armour" (1:24)
- "Comes and Goes" (1:18)
- "Moment in Love" (1:25)
UK cassette
Side 1
- "Battle" (0:25)
- "Beat Box" (4:48) (Samples "Kool is Back", as perf. by Funk Inc.)
(Contains a vocal sample of "Jingle Bells", as performed by Frank Sinatra) - "The Army Now" (2:02)
- "Donna" (1:44)
(Contains a sample of "State of Independence", as perf. by Donna Summer)
Side 2
- "Moments in Love" (5:08)
- "Bright Noise" (0:05)
- "Flesh in Armour" (1:24)
- "Comes and Goes" (1:18)
- "Moment in Love" (1:25)
US cassette
Side 1
- "Battle" (0:25)
- "Beat Box" (4:48)
(Contains a vocal sample of "Soweto", as perf. by Malcolm McLaren) - "The Army Now" (2:02)
(Contains a brief vocal sample of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", as performed by The Andrews Sisters) - "Donna" (1:44)
- "Beat Box" (a repeat of track 2, 4:48)
Side 2
- "Bright Noise" (0:05)
- "Flesh in Armour" (1:24)
- "Comes and Goes" (1:18)
- "Moments in Love" (10:15)
2011 Deluxe CD/Vinyl Record Store Day Reissue
Into Battle
- "Battle" (0:25)
- "Beat Box" (4:48) (Samples "Kool is Back", as perf. by Funk Inc.)
(Contains a vocal sample of "Jingle Bells", as performed by Frank Sinatra) - "The Army Now" (2:02)
- "Donna" (1:44)
(Contains a sample of "State of Independence", as perf. by Donna Summer) - "Moments in Love" (5:08)
- "Bright Noise" (0:05)
- "Flesh in Armour" (1:24)
- "Comes and Goes" (1:18)
- "Moment in Love" (1:25)
Worship
- "Who's Afraid of the Art of Noise" (2:32)
- "One Finger of Love" (0:29)
- "Diversions 1" (7:48)
- "Two Fingers of Love" (0:58)
- "The Uncertainty of Syrup" (1:22)
- "Damn It All!" (1:45)
- "Three Fingers of Love" (0:42)
- "Sign of Relief" (1:28)
- "Hands off Love" (2:56)
- "Diversions 5" (3:44)
- "Goodbye, Art of Noise" (0:37)
- "Confession" (0:52)
- "Close (To The Edit)" (4:03)
- "Diversions 3" (3:41)
- "The Moment of Desire" (3:30)
- "And What Have You Done With My Body, God?" (4:41)
- "The Wounds of Wonder" (4:18)
- "A Time For Fear (Who's Afraid?)" (4:43)
References
- "Art of Noise, The – Into Battle (Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
- "Exclusive Product". Record Store Day. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
- Raggett, Ned. "Into Battle with the Art of Noise > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
External links
- Into Battle With the Art of Noise at MusicBrainz (list of releases)
- Into Battle with the Art of Noise at Discogs (list of releases)