Teen Gothic

A couple of my first goth albums were the cure and lycia back in the 90s/early 2000s. But at the time I don't think I realized these groups were considered goth. At that time, I think I was aware that goth music existed, but I don't think I really knew what it was or what it was defined as.

Even many years later, after getting into other bands like Bauhaus and Christian Death, I don't think when I bought their albums I knew they were "goth". It wasn't until decades later after I bought my first goth albums that I learned that a lot of the music I listened to and enjoyed was considered goth.

Anyone else experience this?

Okay so maybe not always, but very often it seems you get band shirts that look like this – seemingly posterized to such an extent that you can barely tell who or what you're looking at unless you already know. And at least in some cases this seems to be an intentional choice rather than the result of limitations, since the same bands will have great album art, photos, or other designs that could likely be used instead or in addition, but aren't despite those same designs sometimes appearing on other items they mass-produce.

What is the reasoning here? Am I missing something? Do you enjoy how these kinds of designs look? Please let me know.

Ultimately taste is subjective and I'm not trying to insult anyone here. I love my favs and typically buy their merch no matter how I feel about how it looks; I just wish more of the designs were aligned with my tastes and am a bit confused as to why things are the way they are.

I tend to wear black clothing, long hair, etc. I've been this way since my early 20's just purely out of what I like to wear and never intentionally tried to be "goth". I did some Google research on this and am very much attracted to whatever "Romantic goth" is. I tend to listen to classical music, soundtracks, etc. I'm not sure where to begin or even what to do. Figured I'd join this group and see if I could gain some clarity. Thank you.

As mentioned in the title, the reissue of "First and Last and Always" has mixed reviews from multiple sources. Anybody who owns the record, what would you say is the good and bad parts about it?

Thanks!