Waiting for a Miracle is the debut album by the Comsat Angels, released on 5 September 1980 on Polydor Records.
History The entire album was recorded in 10 days. Frontman Stephen Fellows explained how they were able to accomplish this: "We were totally organised. Arrangements, tempos and all the lyrics were sorted out before we went in." But he wasn't quite happy with everything, and in a 2002 interview, said, "The thing that bugs me most about the [early] records is my singing, particularly on the first album. I wish I'd sung more before we made that." The cover photograph was taken by Martyn Goddard at Sheffield Parkway, Sheffield.
Release Although the album's sales were mediocre, it was well received by critics.Trouser Press article: "Firm beats play against melancholy melodies and hushed vocals to create the impression of eavesdropping on someone's inner turmoil...." They went on to say that the album was "hailed in one UK paper as the greatest debut LP of all time, it remains a stunning masterwork...."
Compact disc versions The album was not issued on CD until 15 years after its initial vinyl release. It has been reissued on CD three times, in 1995 by RPM Records, in 2006 by TOBRUT4D, and in 2015 by Edsel Records, with different track listings. Two singles were taken from Waiting for a Miracle: "Total War" and "Independence Day" (the latter released on July 4).Sleeve notes from Renascent re-issue of Waiting for a Miracle
Track listings Vinyl (1980)
CD (1995)
CD (2006)
CD (2015) All tracks written by Fellows/Glaisher/Bacon/Peake
CD 1
Bonus Tracks
CD 2
John Peel Sessions
Personnel The Comsat Angels Stephen Fellows – vocals, guitar Andy Peake – synthesizer, vocals Kevin Bacon – bass guitar Mik Glaisher – drums
References