Torment and Toreros

by Marc & the Mambas

Torment and Toreros cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: August 1983
  • Label: Some Bizzare
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 1:49:53
  • Community rating: 3.83/5 from 5 ratings

Artists on this release: Matt Johnson, Martin McCarrick, Billy McGee, Frank Want, Flood, Marc Almond

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Conceived by Soft Cell frontman Marc Almond, this sprawling, emotionally unhinged double album blends theatrical dark cabaret with Spanish flamenco influences. Featuring key contributions from Matt Johnson (The The) and Jim Thirlwell, the record is a melodramatic, lushly orchestrated exploration of romantic obsession and despair. It is widely considered Almond's solo masterpiece, highlighting his profound, tortured artistry.

Genres

Descriptors: theatrical, storytelling, piano, strings, literate

Tracklist

  1. Intro
  2. Boss Cat
  3. The Bulls
  4. Catch A Fallen Star
  5. The Animal In You
  6. In My Room
  7. First Time
  8. (Your Love Is A) Lesion
  9. My Former Self
  10. Once Was
  11. The Untouchable One
  12. Blood Wedding
  13. Black Heart
  14. Medley: Narcissus / Gloomy Sunday / Vision
  15. Torment
  16. A Million Manias
  17. My Little Book Of Sorrows
  18. Beat Out That Rhythm On A Drum

Credits

  • Marc & the Mambas - primary artist, written-by, arranged by [trad arr by]
  • The Venomettes - arranged by [string arrangements], written-by
  • Martin McCarrick - cello, performer [the venomettes]
  • Val Denham - cover
  • Billy McGee - double bass, performer [the venomettes]
  • Matt Johnson - guitar
  • Lee Jenkinson - guitar [guitars], bass, vocals, performer [the mambas are], drums, written-by
  • Elita - other [val denham spurred on by]

More from Marc & the Mambas: full discography