The original version of "Bela Lugosi's Dead" that appears here clinches it. This version has a lot of trippy studio effects and what-not that make it much more essential than the live version on 1979-83 Vol. 1. (although that one's cool too). CRACKLE is a cool collection, although I wouldn't call all of it great. Peter Murphy clearly has some vocal limitations, but he manages to sound good and appropriately creepy much of the time. Their version of "Ziggy Stardust" isn't much different than the original on its face, but they somehow manage to make it their own anyway. It's pretty cool. I'm less thrilled with the strange cross-breed of goth and disco that is "Kick in the Eye," and the B-side stuck on the end ("Crowds") is plain gross, with one of the worst vocals ever recorded.

Not a perfect collection, and as another reviewer pointed out, some essentials are missing such as "Stigmata Martyr." I agree the producers missed an opportunity to make a perfect Bauhaus collection. Certainly they've made enough great songs to fill one disk. Still, there's a lot of good stuff here and I would recommend this as a good starting place. Those new to Bauhaus really need to hear the original "Bela," and this collection will give them a good idea about whether or not they want to explore more of this band's dark music.

Pete Murphy, feedback, Love & Rockets spinoff, non-Goth Goths, Maxell tapes, we were all there...If you've not heard anything by this band then some caution is required. Bauhaus are not for everyone. Sometimes I'm not even sure they're for me. However, this CD does have some classic cuts that can't help make you think Bauhaus flirted with genius at points in their career (Bela Lugosi, Ziggy Stardust etc) whilst mediocrity also came knocking every so often.

The first time I heard Bauhaus was in my brother's car in Portland, Oregon. The radio station was playing Bela Lugosi was dead and at the time I thought it was pretty good, however it should be noted that I didn't hear the whole song, just part of it. A few weeks ago I remembered Bauhaus and decided to buy an album without listening to any other songs. I read all of the reviews and decided that Crackle would be a good place to start even though it was just singles. I eagerly anticpated the CD and when I finally got it I threw it into the CD player and listened to ........... feedback ....... wierd guitar sounds ...... speaking and talking but no singing ...... more endless wierd noises and feedback. I thought mabye it was one bad song and fast forwarded it, same thing on next song, fast forward, same thing, fast forward .....

In short, there is no music here in the general sense of melodies, hooks, choruses, nothing at all just wierd experimental sounds. This band literally went into the studio and recorded whatever they felt like and it is utter and total trash. That is why this band was overlooked, because there is absolutely nothing redeeming about this music. I can only assume that all of the positive reviews on this website are from the only 25 fans in the world. The very odd thing about this group is that part of them went on to make love and rockets which is much better in all respects. Maybe this was a formative period, I really don't know and I don't care. Now, I have to find someone to unload this piece of cr@p on and that will be a very difficult chore. My only advice is, before you purchase this please find some of their songs and listen to all of them. they are agonizing....I would rather go to the dentist. Enought said.