TOWER OF STRENGTH

Tower of Strength is a fine budget-label compilation that evenly chronicles the Mission UK's genesis from the tatters of Sisters of Mercy into the goth heavyweights they would become. With Wayne Hussey at the vocal helm, lightening the mood and adding a bit of glam and glitter, it represents some of the finest pinpoints in a solid history drawn wholly from the band's years with Phonogram. Tipping in favor of heavy hitters like "Beyond the Pale," "Like a Child Again," "Butterfly on a Wheel," and the mighty title track (which is a fitting closer), the set is a certainly a Mission layman's who's who, although the exclusion of "Severina" is particularly baffling. To make up for this slight, though, there are a handful of lesser-feted gems on offer instead, including two covers -- the intriguing interpretation of Aerosmith's "Dream On" from the CD release of Children and Neil Young's "Like a Hurricane." Add the often overlooked "Until There's Another Sunrise" and "Love Me to Death" and the result is complete and representative of what the group delivered consistently throughout its heyday. Although fans will most certainly stick to the Mission UK's albums in their original form, supplementing them with the outstanding Sum and Substance comp for 12" remixes and hits, Tower of Strength fills a space of sorts, collecting some of the greats that appeared after 1987's The First Chapter. ~ Amy Hanson