Archive for October, 2009

The Passage- Degenerates LP (Reissue)

Posted in 1982, experimental, minimal synth, post-punk, synthpop, the Fall, The Passage, uk on October 29, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

I just had the pleasure of being turned on to this record at this week’s local Wierd Records party, and I’ve already spun it twice this morning. Why not upload it, n’est-ce pas?

The band in question is The Passage, a UK-based experimental synthpop band that formed in 1978. The band’s first two records are truly dark, minimal records, but for their third, 1982’s Degenerates, the band added a more polished synth shine to their shuffling experimental backdrop, a perfect marriage of both the catchy and the challenging. Some tracks remind me of Public Image Limited or latter-day Scott Walker (which makes sense, given that Tony Friel, founding member of The Fall, was a member), while other tracks are true synthpop masterpieces.

Though Degenerates was originally released by Cherry Red, this particular upload features several 7” bonus tracks added to the limited CD re-release, which dropped via LTM Publishing in 2003. I believe the CD version is also out of print.

There’s more to the Passage story kicking around online, so click here to check out an extensive tribute page to the band, complete with a full discography, lush bio, and a slew of goodies. Otherwise without any further ado, let’s get to the details.

The Passage- Degenerates CD
1. XOYO
2. Fleck
3. Revelation
4. Love Is As
5. Born Every Minute
6. (Ourselves)
7. Go To Seed
8. Armour
9. Time Will Tell
10. Empty Words
11. XOYO (7″)
12. Animal In Me
13. Born Every Minute (Flexi)
14. Taboos
15. Taboodub

*download it here*

Otherwise, I still have a few requests and donations to tackle, sorry for the delay! Otherwise, in case I don’t check back in beforehand, happy Halloween to those who celebrate!

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Zwischenfall- Gestern Und Heute CD

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, 1995, german, italo disco, minimal synth, synthpop, Zwischenfall on October 16, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

As promised, here’s a CD compilation of German new wave/minimal band Zwischenfall, who wrote some of the most underrated tracks of the ’80s. Several of the cuts on this collection are dance floor destroyers, especially “Sandy Eyes” (more of an italo cut), “Sacred Time,” “Atemlos,” and two versions of “Flucht.”

From what I gather, the Gestern Und Heute CD collects the band’s entire discography, including a rather ’90s sounding remix of “Flucht.” The collection was released in 1995, and fetches a rather high price, even for a CD. I can’t seem to find anything concrete on the band aside from the band members involved (Martin Urban, Michael Sass, & Stephan Kraemer), but Google tells me that a prominent European club takes their name from the band.

Perhaps their legacy (like most of the bands featured here) is stronger overseas. On that note, let’s get to the music.

Zwischenfall- Gestern Und Heute CD
1. Atemlos
2. Heimatlose
3. Millionen
4. Flucht ’82 (German Version)
5. Sandy Eyes
6. Flucht ’84 (English Version)
7. Polar Magazine
8. Sacred Time
9. Katastrophe
10. Tausend Jahre
11. Atemlos (Remix ’93)
12. Flucht (Remix ’94)

*download it here*

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ATTENTION, dear readers- you can now get a remastered copy of Zwischenfall’s debut 12” via the always excellent DARK ENTRIES label, an awesome reissue label based out of the west coast. Click here for more info!

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Teenage Brain Surgeon- Fatal Day 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, ebm, german, minimal synth, Teenage Brain Surgeon on October 13, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

I don’t tend to buy into the whole “holy grail” aspect of the minimal synth genre, but I’m tempted to make an exception for today’s post. In short, I was first clued in to Teenage Brain Surgeon‘sexistence by fantastic fashion guru and DJ Jeralyn, who runs I’ll Wear Any Color as Long as It’s Black. We were only able to track down 2/3rds of their sparse discography, but I was fortunate enough to stumble upon the final, elusive track in my late-night travels. Huzzah!

There’s virtually no information available about this German band, as this is their lone release. The limited edition 7” (1,000 copies are said to be in existence) was self-released in 1988. Extremely rare, but extremely solid, all three of these tracks are ripe for the dance floor, chock full of infectious electronics and a stomping beat- very EBM friendly if that’s you’re thing. The title track is especially choice, and never fails me in a DJ set.

If anyone out there has any information whatsoever regarding this band, feel free to chime in! Otherwise, let’s get to the good stuff, shall we?

Teenage Brain Surgeon- Fatal Day 7”
1. Fatal Day
2. Years Gone By
3. Cold

*download it here*

Next up, we have a rare compilation of Zwischenfall as well as another generous donation from Jeff! Stay tuned for more over the next few days.

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Fiction Technology- Mega/Phase EP

Posted in 1980s, 1986, Fiction Technology, minimal synth on October 7, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

A friend of mine was recently requesting more from Fiction Technology, so I’ve uploaded their entire EP for everyone’s listening pleasure. Little is known about this particular minimal synth band, as this is their only release. No band credits, no info outside of its German label release in 1986. Coincidentally, it’s the same label who released the coveted Nine Circles disc, another coveted slice of minimal synth, but that’s all we’ve got. A shame, seeing as “In the City” is a perfect dance floor gem.

Does anyone out there in the ether have any more light to shed on this particular band or release? Feel free to drop a line. Otherwise, on to the music!

Fiction Technology- Mega/Phase EP
1. Time In Vision
2. Delta X
3. Mega / Phase
4. In The City
5. Dancing Puppets

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Bastion- Bastion LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, bastion, new wave, synthpop, yugoslavian on October 5, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a curious anomaly from Yugoslavia. As far as I’m aware, this particular eponymous LP, released in 1984 is Bastion’s only release. A little schizophrenic new wave/synthpop in the vein of Pas De Deux, Sizike, and Borghesia.

 Bastion were a short lived, but fruitful collaboration between actress/singer Ana Kostovska, composer and musician Kiril Džajkovski, bassist Ljubomir Stojsavljević and film director Milčo Mančevski. They were one of the first electronic bands from the then Socialist Republic of Macedonia within SFR Yugoslavia. The LP features 8-tracks of melancholy, yet romantic electropop with both female and male vocals across the board. You can read more about the band here. Enjoy!

Bastion- Bastion LP
1. Hollywood
2. Deca Sunca
3. A Hot Day In Mexico
4. Mesec U Šolji
5. Mister Kompleks
6. Lica U Ogledalu
7. Molitva
8. Boja

*download link removed* – this LP has been reissued by AAC Records. Click here to order a copy!

5 Comments »

Beautiful Pea Green Boat- Still Life CD

Posted in 1980s, 1989, 1990s, beautiful pea green boat, darkwave, ethereal, heather wright, ian williams, post-punk, uk on October 5, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post features a collection by UK ethereal/post-punk band Beautiful Pea Green Boat, released on CD in 1989. Taking their name from The Owl and the Pussycat, a classic children’s poem written by Edward Lear, the outfit were primarily a two piece, consisting of Ian Williams and Heather Wright. The band released a handful of 12” and two full length recordings in the mid-1980s, splitting at the turn of the decade. Their material is often downtempo, melodic, and moody, with several repetitive synths grounding the material with an electronic/darkwave edge.

This collection is comprised of the band’s best moments from their two prior LPs (1987’s Obsessions and 1988’s Get Religion). Perhaps I’ll upload them too, should anyone be interested. Otherwise, here’s the info for the compilation:

Beautiful Pea Green Boat- Still Life CD
1. The Powerhouse
2. Hammers Of Islam
3. Too Much
4. When Dreams Moved In
5. The Vase
6. Among The Ruins
7. Paper House
8. Danielle
9. Mirror Of Souls
10. The Screw
11. Nostalgia
12. And She Laughed Too

*download it here*

11 Comments »