Invisible Limits were a German synthpop/darkwave band who formed in 1985. The band was originally the brainchild of Thomas Lüdke, who departed after releasing two 12” singles to form the Invisible Spirit. The band shed their then darker edge and employed a more poppy approach, releasing material well into the ’90s.
Though the band seemingly split, an unreleased “final” album appeared in 2005, self-released by the band through their official site. The band has also issued a five disc box set comprising their entire discography and a handful of single remixes, so any curious parties might do well to pick one up via Amazon import. Otherwise, here’s the information for their second full-length record, 1989’s A Conscious State.
Invisible Limits- A Conscious State CD
1. Golden Dreams
2. No Tears
3. Love Will Tear Us Apart [Joy Division cover]
4. No Doubts
5. In A Dream
6. Kill Me Dearly
7. I Want You
8. Power To Survive
9. Natalie’s
10. Kill The Remix [CD-only bonus track]
Here’s something a little different for you folks today… Up on the slab is a classic record by French punk band Bérurier Noir, a dirty, politically charged cult band who formed in 1983. Though the band went through several lineup shifts throughout the 1980s, adding and detracting members, the rhythm section remained a cheap, driving drum machine, giving them a more thin and aggressive edge.
The band, who refused to make any sort of profit during their tenure, split in 1989, reforming in 2003 to release a DVD. Since then, the reactivated Bérurier Noir has played several shows in Europe, and released a brand new record in 2006.
This particular release is the band’s second album, hailing from 1985. This version was released on CD just a year later, tacking on the Joyeux Merdier 12” at the end, and kicking off with a previously re-recorded single version of early standout “Nada,” the original which appears on their debut record, Macadam Massacre. It would be the fourth version the band had recorded. Here’s the breakdown:
Bérurier Noir- Concerto Pour Detraqués LP/CD
1. Nada 84
2. Petit Agité
3. Vivre Libre Ou Mourir
4. Conte Cruel De La Jeunesse
5. Le Renard
6. Les Rebelles
7. Porcherie
8. Commando Pernod
9. Les Éléphants
10. Fils De…
11. Hélène Et Le Sang
12. Il Tua Son Petit Frère
13. La Mère Noël
14. J’Aime Pas La Soupe
15. Vive Le Feu
16. Salut À Toi
Here’s a little classic and somewhat shameless synthpop record that’s been a fun-filled favorite of mine for some time. The record in question is the debut album from Noel (Noel Pagan), a Cuban-born New Yorker with a powerful voice and some street smart credibility. Debut single “Silent Running” was released in 1987, but it took almost a year for his self-titled debut to appear in more readily available form on 4th and Broadway Records.
On listening, the record recalls mid-period Depeche Mode and various New Beat one-offs, with a more New York freestyle vibe. Though Noel would release a handful of dance mix singles into the ’90s, his proper sophomore effort, Hearts on Fire failed to capture the same energy as the debut. He currently collaborates on recordings with the likes of Eddie Arroyo and Eddie Baez.
Without any further ado, here’s the details for Noel’s self-titled debut.
Noel- Noel LP
1. Silent Morning
2. Fire To Ice
3. To Be With You
4. Out Of Time
5. Change
6. Like A Child
7. Fallen Angel
8. City Streets
9. What I Feel For You
As promised, here’s the second, final, and posthumous record from Choir Invisible, recorded in 1982, but not released until 1984. It’s far more bright and synthy then their debut record and features contributions from Don Romine of Quiet Room, an excellent Bay Area band from 1981,. I tend to prefer the previous album, but it depends on your take on buzzing synths vs. brooding guitars. Opposite sides of a similar coin, if you will.
Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?
Choir Invisible- Sea to Shining Sea LP
1. Grey At Present
2. Questions Never Spoken
3. With Dreams
4. I Walked Away
5. Shared By A Voice
6. Devoted To A Memory
Choir Invisible were a four piece post-punk band hailing from Pasendena/LA area, California. The band formed in the wake of the Flyboys, a first wave LA punk band, who split after the death of bassist/keyboardist David Wilson. Singer John Curry also played bass in The Plugz, and drummer Danny Benair would join jangle-pop band The Three O’Clock.
Lisa Fancher, head of Frontier records (who released the lone Flyboys 12” in 1980), essentially pieced Choir Invisible together after the Wilson’s death. The band grew to local prominence, opening for the likes of Romeo Void, Depeche Mode, and Christian Death in the early 1980s, before releasing their debut record in 1981.
Though the band split shortly after their 1981 tour, a few straggling members recorded a follow up in 1982, which was released two years later on Passport records. I shall upload this one for my next post, but in the meanwhile, here’s the info for the band’s 1981 self-titled debut.
Choir Invisible- Choir Invisible LP
1. Quiet Place
2. Fatal Dream
3. The Other Room
4. Fixation
5. Chameleon
6. Side To Side
7. Private Life
8. The Key
9. Playing Cards
10. Portrait Of Charles
11. The Distance From…
Today’s post features the 1984 debut LP from Ohama, essentially a one man minimal wave project helmed by Canadian musician Tona W. Ohama, with occasional lyrical contributions by Johannes Halbertsma.
Over the course of three years, Ohama released two LPs and three singles. All of these releases (and more, including the 1986 Ohama Meets Dania LP) have been collected in an impressive 9xCD boxset, which may very well still be available by contact with Minimal Wave’s site. Should you dig this release, and should it still be available, I encourage you folks to snap up a copy of the set posthaste! Otherwise, here’s the info for the record.
Ohama- I Fear What I Might Hear LP
1. Of Whales
2. Sometimes
3. Feelings
4. Midnite News IV
5. Where Do You Call Home?
6. Midnite News II
7. Body Of Vagrant Waves
8. Part In Peace
After the latest Sequins and Spandex debacle, and failing to track down a skipless version of “My Frames” on my own (many thanks to Veronica once more for fixing up a proper version), I’ve decided to compile each of the Amin-Peck singles together for any interested parties.
Like most ’80s electronic bands, Amin-Peck walked a fine line between italo disco and minimal wave throughout the course of the early 1980s, oftentimes incorporating shameless pop melodies and avant-garde leanings. The band was primarily a three piece (gaining vocalist Giorgio Fiorini to contribute vocals on their final 1984 12”).
As there’s no official bio kicking around the net, let’s allow the music to speak for itself, shall we? Here’s all the proper info:
Amin-Peck- Girls On Me 12” (1982)
1. Girls On Me
2. Anxiety
3. Coda
Amin-Peck- Love Disgrace 7” (1982)
1. Love Disgrace
2. Singing In The Wind
According to a few record collector sites, there are various dub and instrumental remixes of a few of these tracks kicking around, but I am unable to track anything concrete down. Should any of you out there have these rare and elusive remixes, feel free to send them my way and I’ll happily post a follow-up. Otherwise, enjoy!
Since it’s been a regrettably long time since I’ve made one of these, I am pleased to unveil the latest addition to the Sequins and Spandex series. Unlike the previous installments, which featured a few modern cuts inspired by the original classics, the third in this series of italo, space disco, and hi-nrg dance traxx contains fourteen original tracks, dating from 1980-1987.
I had enough leftovers to make part four (and hell, maybe even a part five) in a few weeks time, so stay tuned! Otherwise, without any further ado, here’s the tracklisting:
Sequins and Spandex: Parte Tre
1. Cybernetic Love- Casco
2. The World at Your Disposal- La Grotta
3. When I Let You Down- M & G
4. Bad Passion- Steel Mind
5. Telephone Computer- Crazy Gang
6. Never Ever- Peppermint Lounge
7. Love is Like a Game- Hot Cold
8. ‘Cause I Need You, ‘Cause I Love You- De De Mo
9. Voyage, Voyage- Desireless
10. Disco Band (Vocal)- Scotch
11. Young Men (Special Radio Version)- Nite Lite
12. Body Heat- Fockewulf 190
13. My Frames- Amin Peck
14. I Wanna Fly Away- Blue Russell
If you’re new to the blog or missed the first two editions of Sequins and Spandex, click HERE to nab ’em!
NOTE: If you downloaded this earlier today (10am or so, EST), redownload this version, with a corrected version of the Amin Peck track, courtesy of Veronica!
Once more, sorry for the delay! I keep meaning to start back up with regularity, but this summer has proven to be a busy affair. I just had the honor and pleasure of playing bass for Mark Burgess (of the Chameleons), joined onstage in New York and Philly by some talented local musicians. It was a last minute affair, learning the songs the night before (and sometimes, that day), and playing them as best as we could under the most terrifying of circumstances. Needless to say, it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life to date. I presume many readers are familiar with Burgess’ work with the Chameleons, but if not, pick some up posthaste! Otherwise, to any readers who were there, both on stage or off- thanks for the good times!
Anyway, on a different note, here’s an interesting treat that will hopefully get things back on track around here.
Šizike were a Yugoslavian dance/new wave band, known primarily in their home country for the slinky single “Don’t Stop.” The band was primarily an offshoot of the Master Scratch Band, who plucked three female vocalists to be the forefront of the project. The MSB played all instruments, while these three sirens provided the vocals for their lone release, 1984’s U Zemlji Čuda LP, an interesting and curious anomaly in the new wave spectrum.
The record is primarily a collection of songs, remixed or altered in various forms on the B-side. The project reminds me of a slower and synthier version of Fuzzbox, though obvious differences are notable. A little fun and fancy free…mildly cheesy at times, but oh so satisfying.
That reminds me, I should probably put a rip of the Fuzzbox LP up in full, to flesh out the post I made a ways back, but more on that soon. Here’s the details on this fine record:
Phew, sorry for the delay folks. Life’s been a whirlwind.
To make up for my absence, I’ve since acquired and ripped the first Turning Shrines 12” record, released in 1985 on Psychic TV’s Temple Records. These four tracks are a bit more catchy than the full length EP I posted a few entries back, but are no less enjoyable, through and through. Click here for the release and more info on Turning Shrines, but otherwise, here’s the scoop on this particular gem.
Turning Shrines- Face of Another 12”
1. Face Of Another
2. 1/4 Circle Black
3. Dirt Test
4. Waking Up In The Dirt
Systems of Romance was created in mid-2007 to serve as a dumping grounds for all great things coldwave, minimal synth, post-punk, synthpunk, industrial, synthpop, and various other combinations of these styles. Feel free to make requests, noodle around, and discuss all you like...
Otherwise, this blog is dedicated to showcasing material that has long since been out of print. If you are aware of any of these items being readily available from the artist or label, or take issue with these tracks being uploaded, please let me know so I can amend the post or remove the links.
Invisible Limits were a German synthpop/darkwave band who formed in 1985. The band was originally the brainchild of Thomas Lüdke, who departed after releasing two 12” singles to form the Invisible Spirit. The band shed their then darker edge and employed a more poppy approach, releasing material well into the ’90s.
