Archive for the 1990s Category

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Various Artists- Systems of Romance Vol. 5

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, coldwave, compilations, minimal, minimal synth, NDW, post-punk, systems of romance on August 31, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

I was going to hold off on posting this for a few more weeks, but after completing it in the late hours last night, I can’t help but share it immediately. Here we have the fifth installment of the Systems of Romance series, volume FIVE to be exact, and debatably my favorite of the bunch. You can expect a nice mix of guitar and synth tracks here. The only difference is this mix features 4-5 new artists that are all worth checking out, alongside several rare and unreleased tracks. Running time is a minute or so over a full length cd-r, so feel free to trim one of these for your own personal burnnn. Here’s the tracklisting:

Various Artists- Systems of Romance Vol. 5
1. After the Snow Melts- Clever Lines
2. Genetics- Final Sound
3. Epitaph- A Haunted Sawmill
4. New Year- Days Are Nights
5. Chanson D’Amour- WCH
6. In The Future- Split Level
7. Strange Days- Immunity
8. A Color- Tropic of Cancer
9. Run Run- Avantgarde De Luxe
10. Shadow Walk- Negatives in Colour
11. When Thunder Comes- Mission
12. What Goes On?- The Radiance
13. Desperate Rhymes- Piece De Resistance
14. Cover Girl- Dengon
15. Silly Earth- Scatterbrains
16. Eden- Sofia Run
17. On the Moon- Beyond Words
18. Shoot Me Down- P.S. Personal
19. Geraldine- Cha Boom Cha
20. Blind Me- Winter Severity Index
21. Sweet Cliché- The First Loves

*download it here*

Here’s a few words on the tracks:
1. Plucked from the 8 Essential Attitudes compilation. Picked it up cheap and while there are some gems, it’s mostly a mixed bag.
2. From the No Surrender! compilation, an otherwise rough and tumble collection of skinhead/oi tracks from Rock-O-Rama records.
3. Very rare single release, one of this band’s only tracks. Saw a release on The Trance Compilation.
4. Brazilian darkwave band who released a killer album in 2010, where this track hails from.
5. French synth from 1984…Stay tuned for a full post on this 12”.
6. B-side of a 1984 minimal synth single from the UK. If you have the a-side, holler!
7. Plucked from a 1985 compilation entitled Sounds from the Southern Scene Vol. 1. This band appears twice on the comp as the bookends. Their other track isn’t nearly as good, but still worth hearing.
8. Brand new coldwave sounds from LA, can’t get enough of this track!
9. Denmark band, from their first LP, released in 1982. Another track appears on SOR vol. 3.
10. An unreleased track from the UK band featured here.
11. Also from the 8 Essential Attitudes comp. Guitar-driven smash, and not the same post-Sisters band!
12. 1990s darkwave, released on a compilation of excellent like minded souls (Derrière Le Miroir, Lucie Cries, Frozen Autumn, all great bands)
13. Grabbed this 1985 12” from the US in a dollar bin. Decent new wave throughout, but this track is a standout.
14. Another US band who issued two singles in 1985 on ESYNC records (Velvascurge!). Mostly power-pop sounds, but this track has a nice guitar-driven edge to it. If anyone insists, I have both singles uploaded for a future post, but this one is the real treat of the lot.
15. Scarce minimal synth from the Netherlands. Would love to hear this full LP!
16. 1990s darkwave band who issued two records before splitting up.
17. 8 Essential Attitudes.
18. 1983 synthpop single from the UK.
19. The standout track from this 1988 12”. Also from the UK.
20. Brand new (all female) post-punk/coldwave band from Italy. A new favorite, really tremendous stuff. Keyboardist also doubles as Mushy, who just issued a full length solo LP on Mannequin Records!
21. I belive this track is a demo from a new post-punk band from London. Certainly sounds timeless!

18 Comments »

The Trial- Pictures LP

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, 1991, Czechoslovakia, new wave, synth, synthpop, the trial on July 7, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s one that’s been kicking around in some form or another for some time, but never complete, or never at tremendously great quality. You may be familiar with this band via the Crispy Nuggets VA compilations, one which featured a loose track from this LP and another the b-side off the band’s debut 7”. I’ve been playing this LP out a lot lately at the Wierd party, so for those who have been asking about this one, here it is!

Released in 1991, here we have the debut LP from The Trial, a six piece (!) Czechoslovakian synth band. Fans of the heavy synthpop sound of the late 80s (Depeche Mode, Camouflage, Xymox’s “Obsession”) should find lots and lots to love on this LP. A few of the songs haven’t aged so well, but the majority of this LP (especially side B) is phenomenal and I can’t stop listening to it. Don’t take my word for it though, see for yourself!

The Trial- Pictures LP
1. The Bodies Of Evenings
2. Terrible Scream
3. Television Liar
4. Make-up
5. Shut Up!
6. Yourself
7. Sky Of Secrets
8. Anybody
9. In The Fiction Press
10. My Bed
11. What Do You Say?

*download it here*

If you’d like to read more about the band, click HERE for a page run by a devoted fan. Unfortunately, the main history of the band has yet to be translated to English, but still plenty of info to be had. Be sure to click here to check a few video clips of the band, all three which hail from the band’s pre-LP era. Lots of photos here!

4 Comments »

Nuit D’Octobre- Tempêtes CD

Posted in 1990s, 1992, coldwave, goth, nuit d'octobre, post-punk, swiss, switzerland on June 15, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s another great coldwave release from the 1990s. Technically, this band hails from Switzerland, but employ the French coldwave sound of the 80s and early 90s so very well that they almost had me fooled, mostly because of all the French titles and references. Highly recommended for fans of Gestalt, Résistance, Mémoires D’automne, Lucie Cries, etc.

This is the six piece band’s first LP, released in 1992. As far as I can tell, they have one more single (date unknown), a single-sided cassette, and a handful of VHS releases under their belt. Here’s the info for this gem:

Nuit D’Octobre- Tempêtes CD
1. La Ballade De Jones
2. Le Voile Des Années
3. Eclusiers De Brouillard
4. Pastel Et Poésie
5. Le Fanfaron Gris
6. Comme Un Orage
7. La Horde Noire
8. Récifs
9. La Valse Aux Adieux

*download it here*

Expect some more synthy/club oriented things to follow over the next few weeks!

4 Comments »

Dawn Fades- Fucking Face CD

Posted in 1990s, 1995, coldwave, dawn fades, goth, italian, post-punk on June 13, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Now here’s one that I’ve loved since the first time I heard it many moons ago, during the early phase of the Wierd Records party. It’s since become a DJ favorite here as well, and never fails to kick things up a notch. Great driving Italian coldwave-styled post-punk here, four tracks long. Aggressive, hard hitting, and chock full of incisive guitars and moody synths, just the way I like it. Reminds me a bit of Lucie Cries, for anyone looking for comparisons/touchstones.

The four piece band formed in 1992, taking their name from the infamous Joy Division track, and this debut CD was released in 1995. It was followed by one full length LP in 1997, just before the band split. However, they can be found on Facebook, for all curious parties.

Here’s the info for this killer disc.

Dawn Fades- Fucking Face CD
1. Fucking Face
2. Sonic Head
3. Not My Life
4. Sixteen Days (Live)

*download it here* (Re-ripped @320kbps on 2.12.17)

Track four is indeed a live cover of the Modern English favorite!

7 Comments »

Lulabox- Lulabox CD

Posted in 1990s, 1992, alternative, goth, lulabox, shoegaze on June 9, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s another post that ties in with the last one, only this time I have a more nostalgic connection to this record, as I loved it way back when and have recently rediscovered it, so to speak. I actually first heard the single and leadoff track from this record as part of the Pet Sematary II soundtrack, a pretty rotten (but kind of a guilty pleasure) flick with several alternative/shoegaze/etc. songs backing it. I was hooked from the get-go, and also fell pretty hard for the Mary Chain’s “Reverence” as well. Nothing like a 10 year old singing “I wanna die just like Jesus Christ” around the house…

Most notably, this three piece project featured guitar contributions from Michael Cozzi, who was active in Shriekback and Lively Art mainstay Sky Cries Mary. I believe the band was based in the US, and had a sound similar to Lush, Curve, etc. Plenty of hooks and electronically driven fuzzed out bliss to be had here throughout the entire LP, which was released in 1992. Here’s the details:

Lulabox- Lulabox CD
1. Ride On
2. Love Street
3. I Believe
4. Ivory Hill
5. Prayer For Rain
6. Choked
7. Wild Cherry Bark
8. Giving It All Away
9. Precious Thing
10. Ava
11. Ride On (Velocity Mix)
12. I Believe (Below The Belt Mix)

*download it here*

The band seemed to have some major promotion behind them, as three videos exist for this album. You can click the embedded link for “Ride On,” the song that started my adolescent obsession with this LP. You can also catch the video for “Choke” here and “I Believe” here .

7 Comments »

Sunshot- Caughtintheactofenjoyingourselves LP

Posted in 1990s, 1992, goth, goth-rock, shoegaze, sunshot on June 7, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Going to dip into the 1990s for a little bit here. Don’t be scared, gentle readers, it’s all going to be ok.

The 1990s may have been the breeding ground for a lot of awful, awful music (and a lot of stuff I can’t quite let go, considering it was the decade in which I spent my adolescence), but there are some excellent gems to be found, even if they’re more few and far between. A few that ring a bell are Derriere Le Miroir, Sunshine Blind, and the incredible Requiem In White, all worth a peek for those unfamiliar.

I have three posts lined up, all from the 1990s. One is a coldwave classic (we’ll get to that one very soon, I promise) and the other two flirt a bit more with shoegaze, by far the best genre to come out of the decade. Today’s band has already been featured on the excellent Return to the East blog, and here’s their full length LP from 1992, a continuation of some of the great sounds heard on the EPs. Quite a few of the tracks from those EPs also appear here, alongside a few other gems. Touchstones, as previously mentioned, include The Young Gods, Sisters of Mercy, and Curve. I can’t get enough of this record and I hope you all enjoy the slight change of pace.

Sunshot- Caughtintheactofenjoyingourselves LP
1. Nasties
2. She Says
3. Big Mistake
4. Stop Me
5. Baby Doll
6. Happy Ever After
7. Playtime
8. Twisting
9. Lose My Grip
10. Brainstorm
11. Tank

*download it here*

2 Comments »

Quantom 1+3- Memoires Alchimiques K7

Posted in 1990s, 1993, coldwave, darkwave, ebm, france, french, k7 on April 8, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Cassettes, the final frontier. This particular tape has been on constant rotation over at SOR headquarters since receiving it on a generous loan. Not a lot of information on the web about this release, but there’s quite a bit of info on the cassette itself, so I’ll do my best to explain.

This particular cassette was released in 1993. The band were a three piece darkwave act from France (Axel Evigiran and the above pictured Lydia on vox and Orphee Hangiclist on guitar and programming) flirting with hints of EBM and coldwave. The sound should be right at home for fans of Babel 17, Neutral Project, Nagamatzu, and Peche Mortel (whose demos are some of the best treasures uncovered on the internet). Nice and dark, gritty, yet with catchy electronics permeating the mix.

While this is their first cassette, the band released two more tapes into the mid-90s. Perhaps those may see the light of day in time… For now though, enjoy this excellent slice of pure French coldwave.

Quantom 1+3- Memoires Alchimiques K7
1. Celeano
2. Post Mortem
3. Sombre Muse
4. V.I.T.R.I.O.L.
5. 7eme Cimetiere
6. I’ll Never Forget You
7. Pohjola Land
8. Bleuts
9. Puta Nostra
10. Narcisse
11. Rendez Vous
12. Nordeste Mystique
13. Dusang Sur Le Marbre
14. Venise Nocturne

*download it here*

11 Comments »

Sanity Plexus- Redux

Posted in 1980s, 1990, 1990s, 1991, manchester, post-punk, Sanity Plexus, Sexus, uk on February 9, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

It’s been a long eight months, but I’ve since tracked down the remaining Sanity Plexus discography, consisting of a 12” and a full length LP. While the band taps into a little more production value here, there’s still the raw, DIY aesthetic throughout both releases that appeals. Fans of raw post-punk and indie rock with hard-hitting minimal drum programming should find lots to love here. Synth fans will especially dig the LP, which features arpeggiated keyboard lines and string pads to flesh out the sound a bit further than the two previous releases.

Both of these records were released on the same label as the debut 12”, which you can nab here if you missed it. Without any further ado, here’s the info:

Sanity Plexus- Tough Guy Shell 12” (1990)
1. Tough Guy Shell
2. Career Boys
3. Ambassador of Angst
4. The Pleasure Utensils

Sanity Plexus- Fidelity LP (1991)
1. It’s Not What You Think
2. Fatty Takes A Flyer
3. You Never Can Tell
4. Malevolent Angel
5. Big Chill
6. Why I Don’t Dance
7. Ozone-Friendly Boyfriend
8. Slice Of Life
9. Pop
10. Scandal In A Small Town

*download both here* (reuploaded @320kbps on 8.30.16)

2 Comments »

Dr. Strangelove- Demo K7

Posted in 1990s, analog angel, dr. strangelove, new wave, reformed, synthpop on November 18, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

I’m not usually fond of posting cassette rips, but this one’s an exception. Here we have an unlisted, scarce demo tape by Scottish synthpop band Dr. Strangelove, who were active in the early 1990s.

This seems to be their only “release,” though the band did, in fact, make a promotional video for the first track. They soon disappeared into the ether, without a trace. However, just a few years ago, 3 of the 4 members reconvened and formed Analog Angel, re-recording many of their older songs in a newer format. Their re-recording of “Why Do You Do” is virtuallty identical to the original, quality improvements aside. Analog Angel have, in fact, released their debut album, which can be purchased via their webpage.

Their promotional video gained a bit of internet notoriety when it appeared with the tag “Depeche Mode-esque.” Naturally, forming in the early 90s and adopting a synth-pop sound, Depeche Mode was a major influence in both style and execution. Fans of Black Celebration and Music For the Masses should enjoy this one.

Dr. Strangelove- Demo K7
1. Why Do You Do?
2. Consequences
3. ‘Title Unknown’

*download it here*

Sorry I can’t offer any artwork, but here’s the video for ‘Why Do You Do’ for your viewing pleasure:

6 Comments »

Телевизор (Televizor)- Шествие Рыб LP

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, minimal synth, new wave, russian, synth, synthpop, televizor, ussr, Телевизор on November 5, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Just received a request on Facebook to cover some of the Russian synth greats, so what better place to start than the debut album from Телевизор (translation- Televizor). While the band was conceived in 1984 in Leningrad, it took four years for their debut to appear. The LP was released on Мелодия records, which formed in 1964 and folded briefly when the USSR collapsed.

Kind of hard to classify this one properly, as it jumps styles on every track. If anything, it reminds me a bit of Chrisma’s Chinese Restuarant– a true hybrid that’s tough to pin down, but I’ll let you all decide for yourselves! Here’s the info and download link:

Телевизор- Шествие Рыб LP
1. Люди В Ожидании
2. Муха На Стекле
3. Город
4. Я Не Виноват
5. Вчера
6. Цветные Сны
7. Человек Из Ваты
8. Дальний Восток
9. Шествие Рыб
10. Обо Мне
11. Мания Величия
12. Товарищ Сухов
13. С Вами Говорит Телевизор

*download it here*

10 Comments »

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