Category: Music → The Comsat Angels - Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones

Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones, a collection of the Comsat Angels' BBC sessions from 1979-1984, is an excellent introduction to the band's early work. The performances of many of these songs are at such a high level that the band views them as being better than their studio versions.

A sparse, slightly faster rendition of "Independence Day" along with a powerful take on "JuJu Money," highlight the first session with John Peel from 1979. (It was Peel who got the ball rolling for the Comsats; the band sent him a copy of the Red Planet EP, and he became an early and vocal supporter. He ended up having the Comsats down to the studio four times between 1979 and 1981.) A session from January of 1981 yields the strongest material; each of the five tracks top their original renditions. Most notable is "At Sea," which transforms a decent B-side into a monstrous opener on the disc. Mik Glaisher's drums sound massive. "Be Brave" is also more effective than its Sleep No More version, with Kevin Bacon's bass propelling the song more than before, and the amped intensity of Stephen Fellows' vocals lead to its superiority over the original. Anything off the Sheffield band's first three records is masterful, and for what it's worth, a session for Kid Jensen yields stronger versions of songs from 1983's synth pop letdown Land. Also notable is Time Considered's version of the Rolling Stones' "Citadel," their only recorded cover.