What makes A Way of Life by Suicide notable?

The album did not achieve significant commercial success upon its release but has since gained critical acclaim for its innovative fusion of genres, influencing later artists in electronic and industrial music. It reflects the darker undercurrents of the late 80s music scene, contributing to the evolution of post-punk aesthetics. By the time 'A Way of Life' was released in 1988, Suicide had already established a reputation within the no wave and punk scenes with their previous albums. This record marked their return after a six-year hiatus since 'Alan Vega/Suicide', showcasing a more polished, electronic sound while retaining their avant-garde spirit.

How many songs are on A Way of Life?

A Way of Life has 9 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

A Way of Life

Suicide · 1988

39 min · 9 tracks · electronic music

A haunting blend of synth-driven melodies and raw punk energy creates an unsettling yet captivating atmosphere throughout the album.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Wild in Blue — This opening track combines stark electronic textures with visceral lyrics that set a tone of existential angst, encapsulating the album's thematic core.
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Surrender — Featuring a driving rhythm and hypnotic synth lines, this track showcases the band's ability to blend catchy hooks with their signature industrial sound, making it a standout.
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Devastation — The song's slow build-up contrasts a haunting melody with dark lyrical content, illustrating the emotional depths explored throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's immersive synth layers and seamless transitions create a captivating yet unsettling atmosphere.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of synthesizers layered with distorted vocals, creating a dense and immersive soundscape.
Several tracks utilize repetitive motifs that evolve gradually, enhancing the hypnotic quality of the music.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Wild in Blue 4:34
2 Surrender 3:47
3 Jukebox Baby 96 3:21
4 Rain of Ruin 4:00
5 Sufferin' in Vain 4:40
6 Dominic Christ 6:46
7 Love So Lovely 4:03
8 Devastation 4:00
9 Heat Beat 4:12

What to play next

Listen next

Why Be Blue

1992

Go back to

Half Alive

1981

Full Suicide discography Artists like Suicide

post-punk synth-pop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata