Archive for September, 2011

Vono- It’s Time LP

Posted in 1980s, 1986, ebm, german, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, vono on September 28, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve had this on deck to post for a bit, but what better time to post it than now? Mr. Goutroy of A Viable Commercial has dusted off and uploaded Vono’s quirky and charmingly amateur first LP over at his space, so in true blogger camaraderie fashion, here’s their final LP. Bookends for your listening pleasure, if you will.

Whereas Dinner Für 2 is a simple, yet detached record, this 1986 entry is anything but. Four years later, the duo grew as musicians and fleshed out their sound from their humble beginnings. It seems that one day, someone must have pissed in their Cheerios, as the band developed a more aggressive EBM-esque sound in the vein of Body 11, Bigod 20, Front 242, and other such bands with numbers. However, this is not a play-it-by-numbers EBM record as you might expect from that description. The vocals are a little more palatable than most EBM bands of the time, organic tones in lieu of the overdriven vocals that would become a genre staple into the 1990s. If anything, the LP is harder to pin down, stylistically. Other touchstones I’m hearing here include mid-period Wire (The Ideal Copy is my favorite, in case you were wondering) and the atmosphere of Peter Gabriel’s third and fourth records (cool!). Also hard to deny the Public Image crib on track six. No samples, but well, let’s just say it sounds like a response track.

There’s no real standout hit a la “Headhunter” or “Sensoria” here, but this album functions well as a whole. Besides, there are plenty of deep, funky synth grooves packed that make this LP worth a peek for any fan of the wave spectrum.

Vono- It’s Time LP
1. It’s Time
2. This Door
3. Geh Deinen Weg
4. Zerstoert
5. Here Comes
6. Love Song
7. Lebe Heute
8. Das Wars

*download it here*

I’ll be on hiatus for a little bit here, as we’re gearing up for a big move, and it’s likely we won’t be setting up the turntables for a few weeks. I may have a few things loaded in the queue to bring out here and there, but I’ll be loaded for bear when I get back to full functionality!

The Lucy Show- Electric Dreams 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, canadian, post-punk, the lucy show, uk on September 22, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

The Lucy Show are one of my all-time favorite bands of the 80s. Hands down amazing melodies, great vocals, production, the whole package. It comes as some surprise that this particular 7” (their second, released in 1984) hasn’t been posted to my knowledge. Crazy!

For those unfamiliar, The Lucy Show was formed by two Canadian-turned London musicians, who earned a bit of buzz for their first single, Leonardo Da Vinci (perfectly summed up and shared here). Peel picked up on the band, this 7” followed, and the rest, as you could say, was History. A tour with R.E.M. brought the band to prominence, and their debut LP Undone dropped in 1985 and shot straight to the top of the college charts. Mania followed in 1986, and the band soon called it quits.

Really perfect pop, here. The A-side recalls early Cure and INXS to mind, while the B-side is a dark and gloomy affair, reminiscent of 4AD’s earliest releases. Don’t miss it!

The Lucy Show- Electric Dreams 7”
1. Electric Dreams
2. History Part 1

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.16.12)

Sensation- Trafic 7”

Posted in 1980s, coldwave, french, new wave, sensation on September 16, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Fantastic French coldwave with a slightly poppy edge here, released on Slim Productions, who boast a rather impressive roster of French obscurities and hits alike. Especially recommended for fans of Taxi Girl, with a little more bite. Release date unknown, not even listed on the record itself. A true mystery, for those who like that sort of thing. Educated guesses via catalog number place this as a 1985 release, but who can be sure of these things. Sounds like 1981 to me, but what do I know? Take a listen, take a guess!

Sensation- Trafic 7”
1. Trafic
2. Destruction

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.4.13)

Glenn Winter- Bruna Hundars Död K7

Posted in 1986, Glenn Winter, minimal synth, swedish, synth, synthpop on September 13, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a very rare cassette from Glenn Winter, courtesy of the ever-stellar Sean McBride. I was only familiar with this fantastic Swedish minimal synth artist via “Herrens Svar,” which appears on the near flawless Orgelvärk compilation, an absolute must-hear for any self-respecting minimal synth fan. This particular tape hails from 1986 and features several tracks in the same vein. Tor Sigvardson of 18:e Oktober (a similarly amazing project) plays bass on track 6. Definitely don’t pass on this one, folks!

Glenn Winter- Bruna Hundars Död K7
1. Prins Reimon
2. Vägg
3. 23:49
4. Beat
5. Slow-Sleep
6. En Diskussion
7. Bruna Hundars Död
8. Around And Around
9. Born To Loose
10. Fields

*download it here*

Ultime Possibilité- Errance 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, coldwave, french, post-punk, ultime possibilité on September 9, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Up next we have an uber cult French coldwave single from 1988, especially choice for fans of the (better) Nova Express tracks posted here and here, as well as the Panoramas single posted ages ago.

Nothing much I can tell you about these guys, aside from shedding a little light on M.S.R., the label which issued this 7”. Several other classics appeared on M.S.R., including Corps Diplomatique and Amour Puzzle, also nice touchstones for this single. Really cool stuff here in the always excellent French tradition, so hope you enjoy it!

Ultime Possibilité- Errance 7”
1. Errance
2. No More Lies

*download it here*

Alan Shearer- Mines De Son LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, alan shearer, french, instrumental, synthpop on September 6, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here we have the second LP from Alan Shearer, released in 1984. Generally, it follows the same vibe as his excellent debut release (uploaded here in case you missed it). All instrumental once again, with some surprisingly poppy moments mixed in as well. Definitely some stunners in the mix here. I can’t seem to get enough of “Snapshot” or “Internal Clock.” The final track even reminds me a bit of some earlier Depeche Mode moments.

Funnily enough, I agree with comments made in the last post regarding video game music, as quite a few of these tracks call the classic NES soundtracks to mind. As someone who used to hold primitive boomboxes up to the tv screen to tape various soundtracks, I mean that as a compliment!

Anyway, without any further ado, here’s the info for this LP:

Alan Shearer- Mines De Son LP
1. Siouxie Likes Me
2. Mines De Son
3. Air Transe Aller
4. Pace-Maker
5. Snapshot
6. Brasilian Music Box
7. Internal Clock
8. Touche Pas A Mon Joël
9. Air Transe Retour
10. Very Christmas
11. Andes 90
12. Week-End At Sea

*download it here*

——

Also, while I’ve got your attention, might I direct you here? New album coming on September 27th, preorders available now. Just CD and digital for now, perhaps vinyl if enough demand calls for it!

You can catch a video for the first single here.