Exercise in Tension explained

Exercise in Tension
Type:	studio
Artist:	Dessau
Cover:	Dessau - Exercise in Tension.jpg
Recorded:	–
Studio:	Sound Emporium (Nashville, Tennessee) Treasure Isle (Chicago, Illinois)
Genre:	Industrial rock
Length:	31:06
Label:	Carlyle
Prev Title:	Happy Mood
Prev Year:	1986
Next Title:	Details Sketchy
Next Year:	1995

Exercise in Tension is the debut studio album of Dessau, released in 1989 by Carlyle Records.^{[1] [2]}

Music

The track "Europe Light" was originally released on the Happy Mood EP and was then provided to the 1989 Music View – Radio's Alternative Talk Show No. 59 & #60 compilation by Joseph Fox Communications, Inc.^[3] The song was also remixed and released as additional material on the compact disc version and the following year as a single with "Beijing" on August 3, 1990.^[4] The band's cover of Joy Division's "Isolation" was recorded in 1988 and produced by Paul Barker of Revolting Cocks and Al Jourgensen of Ministry.^{[5] [6]} The cover has been released as a 12" single and on three various artists compilations: C'Est La Silenz Qui Fait La Musique... (1994, Electro Pulse),^[7] CDPRO Vol #13 (June 1996) (1996, EMI Music Canada)^[8] and Down & Dirty (1999, Pet Rock).^[9] "Isolation" and the track "Beijing", from the CD edition of the album, became a minor hits for the band.^{[10] [11]}

Reception

AllMusic awarded Exercise in Tension a rating of three out of five stars.^[1]

Personnel

Adapted from the Exercise in Tension liner notes.^[12]

Dessau

• John Elliott – instruments, vocals, production, mixing, cover art
• Barry Nelson – bass guitar, mixing, cover art
• Mike Orr – guitar, vocals, mixing, cover art

Production and design

• Paul Barker – production (B4)
• Bill Brunt – cover art
• Brian Hardin – editing ("Beijing")
• Al Jourgensen – production (B4)
• Mike Poole – engineering
• Giles Reaves – production, engineering, mixing
• Todd Sholar – engineering
• Steve Spapperi – engineering (B4)
• Preston Sullivan – executive-producer
• Rick Will – mixing and editing ("Beijing")

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
United States	1989	Carlyle	CD, CS, LP	CR-6689
Netherlands			CD, CS	CAR-269516
Germany			CD, LP

Notes and References

1. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0000268770|pure_url=yes}} Dessau: ''Exercise in Tension'' > Overview ]. . September 6, 2020.
2. Dessau: Details Sketchy . . Sonic Options Network . 1989 . 24–29 . 108 . September 6, 2020.
3. Radio's Alternative Talk Show #59 & #60 . Various Artists . 1989 . sleeve . Joseph Fox Communications, Inc. . New York City.
4. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0000952118|pure_url=yes}} Dessau: ''Beijing'' > Overview ]. . September 6, 2020.
5. DJ Hypno5 . DJ Hypno5 . Isolation – Dessau: Revisit Industrial Classic From 1988 . . August 26, 2015 . September 6, 2020.
6. Book: Jourgensen, Al . Production Credits . Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen . . September 8, 2015 . 283 . 9780306824647 . September 6, 2020.
7. C'Est La Silenz Qui Fait La Musique... . Various Artists . 1991 . booklet . SilenZ Records . Germany.
8. CDPRO Vol #13 (June 1996) . Various Artists . 1996 . booklet . . Mississauga, Ontario.
9. Web site: Steve . Huey . [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0000047359|pure_url=yes}} Dessau: ''Legends of Rock: Down & Dirty'' > Review ]. . September 6, 2020.
10. Web site: Rev. Keith . A. Gordon . [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000249581/biography|pure_url=yes}} Dessau > Biography ]. . September 6, 2020.
11. Web site: Bart . Pfanenstiel . David . Schock. Artists: Dessau . . 1998 . September 6, 2020.
12. Exercise in Tension . Exercise in Tension . . 1989 . booklet . Carlyle Records . Nashville, Tennessee.