Archive for the 1980s Category

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Plann- Elektra Elektra LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, de press, holy toy, minimal synth, norweigan, plann, post-punk, synthpop on January 3, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Let’s kick off this year right, with a generous donation of a rare Norweigan synth pop record from 1982 from the duo of Kikkan Fossum and Lillie-Ane. The former’s credentials include The Cut, who appear on the excellent Maskindans compilation as well as on A Viable Commercial.

While these two are credited as the brainchildren of the band (errr, though I’m not sure who the third guy on the album cover is), there were quite a few notable (and also several unknown) contributors credited on the LP. Arne Lund of The Cut was one of three drummers who contributed to the LP, while Andrej Dziubek Nebb (De Press, Holy Toy) provides backing vocals on a few of the tracks. There were also three bassists and several other backing vocalists on the LP. In short, it seems like this two piece had a lot of help from their friends, and almost feels like a Norweigan supergroup of sorts.

The plethora of contributors on this LP leads to a diverse collection of songs, held together by the duo’s musical vision. This is one of the more interesting (and therefore, more satisfying) synth-based LPs I’ve heard in some time, where every track sounds different, yet all are enjoyable. Try it on for size and see for yourself:

Plann- Elektra Elektra LP
1. Cherokee
2. Lillie
3. Cabriolet
4. Er Virkelighet Drøm
5. Cûda Barracûda
6. Liv Liv
7. Sûg
8. Ato Signal
9. Hvit Løgn
10. Til Evig Tid

*download it here*

6 Comments »

The Pollen- Contrasts/Factory Hours/Colours and Make Believe

Posted in 1980s, 1989, adrian borland, coldwave, dreampop, french, indie, post-punk, the pollen, the sound on December 12, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Updated 12/16/24!

For those who enjoyed the Pollen LP posted a few entries back, here’s a post that is both supplemental and one which renders the previous post obsolete. Contained within we have pristine CD rips of the band’s output, including both albums and the Factory Hours single (both the 12” and 7” tracks appear), all of which were released on the legendary Danceteria label. Contrasts also comes with bonus tracks from the Nurturing Desire 12”, which completes the discography, more or less (missing are a handful of live tracks from a best of as well as the single for River of Life, which has two remixes and a unique b-side)*

After The Pollen called it quits, two members formed shoegaze band The Park, who released one album in 1992*.

If you dug the Adrian Borland-produced mini-LP, be sure to download this one as well, for additional songs, higher fidelity, and as of December 2024, their sophomore record, which has grown on me considerably over the years… “Factory Walk” is also a killer track, complete with that cold post-punk sound we all know and love, with poppier and folkier-inspired b-sides. Fans of bands like The Popguns and Darling Buds as well as French coldwave/The Sound/etc. will hopefully adore this band as much as I do!

Have at it, folks!

*2024 update – stay tuned!

The Pollen- Contrasts (1988)
1. Nurturing Desire
2. Passionate Reading
3. Military Tactics
4. Dream
5. Like the Wind
6. Killer
7. Heathen World
8. Peel the Skin
9. Faraway
10. Hard Times
11. Breaking Out

Tracks 1, 2, and 7 from Nurturing Desire 12”. The rest appear in different order on the Contrasts mini-LP.

The Pollen- Factory Hours (1989)
1. Factory Hours
2. (In Your) Head
3. Bushes and Briars
4. Passionate Reading (Remix)

Tracks 2 and 3 from the 12”. Track 4 from the 7”.

The Pollen – Colours and Make Believe (1989)
1. Wake Up And Fight
2. No Stranger
3. River Of Life
4. Watching Silently
5. In The Country
6. Jeune D´Esprit
7. The Darkness Is Around You
8. The Journey
9. A Better Past
10. Colours And Make Believe
11. 1990

*download all three here*

3 Comments »

Pink and Black- Sometimes I Feel… 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, pink and black, synthpop, uk on December 5, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s one that’s been posted elsewhere in the past, but I’ve given my own copy a once over. High quality, click removal, the whole works.

This 1984 single hails from the UK and is pure synthpop bliss. The main track appears twice here, in both extended and single form, and both versions are just ripe for the dance floor. There’s also a Spanish promo issue of this single from 1985, but I believe it’s nearly identical to this one, with the radio version appearing on side A. Also, there’s a rumour out there that one of the members of this project was also in Sex Gang Children (Illuminated Records also featured several Sex Gang related releases, as well as Portion Control & Poison Girls), but I can neither confirm nor deny this for sure. However, what I *CAN* say is you’re all gonna love this one.

Pink and Black- Sometimes I Feel… 12”
1. Sometimes I Wish (Dramadance USA Mix)
2. Sometimes I Wish (Radio)
3. Miss Fortune

*download it here*

6 Comments »

The Cave- Remain In Dark 7”

Posted in 1980s, coldwave, german, post-punk, the cave on November 16, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a rare post-punk single from Germany, whose release date is unknown. Believe me, the single passed through my hands briefly, and I couldn’t find a date on it to save my life! If i had to guess, I would say 1986, but don’t quote me on that. This is their only release, on an otherwise unknown record label. A mysterious record, through and through! If anyone out there has any more info, feel free to let me know!

Otherwise, some nice cold sounds here that should feel right at home for fans of the genre. Really melodic and understated tracks, with just enough punch to make them interesting. I prefer the flip-side, but your mileage may vary. See what the fuss is all about:

The Cave- Remain In Dark 7”
1. Remain In Dark
2. Dull Reflections

*download it here*

Apologies for the low quality cover. Forgot to take a snap of it!

6 Comments »

UA- Cantante De Ópera 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, spain, ua on November 11, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Feeling fiesty this Friday, so here’s a SECOND post for your weekend pleasure. It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything minimal synth related, and I’ve had this single kicking around for years, so it’s about damn time I posted it. So, synth fans, this one is for you!

Here we have a often-coveted 7” from Spain, released in 1982 on Hispavox, who had tie-ins with EMI and are still around to date. This is the band’s only release, pure minimal bliss. The A-side is all over the map, shifting in and out of tempos and featuring some rather impressive operatic female vocals, as the title might suggest. The B-side is the standout for me, a really pretty pseudo-instrumental (minimal vox) with washes of synth (and what sounds like, but likely is not a theremin). Both tracks are worth your attention, but don’t let me tell you twice.

UA- Cantante De Ópera 7”
1. Cantante De Ópera
2. Maldoror

*download it here*

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Various Artists- Doctor Death’s Volume I- Cette Enfant Me Fia Mourir

Posted in 1980s, 1986, c'est la morte, coldwave, doctor death, goth, post-punk on November 11, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a great (and pleasantly affordable) compilation chock full of post-punk and coldwave sounds from C’est La Morte. I believe there are five editions in this series, this being the only one I own. The rest seem promising as well, judging from the inclusion of Handful of Snowdrops, Bill Pritchard, Heavenly Bodies, Beautiful Green Pea Boat, Clair Obscur, etc. You can get volume 4 here.

The story of these compilations dates back to C’est La Morte owner Woody Dumas, who used to have a radio program called Doctor Death, which specialized in cold/gothic sounds. The first edition was the very first release on the fledgling Louisiana label, and has several great (and in some cases, exclusive) tracks from some of my favorite bands of the era, including Breathless, Room Nine, and Lung Overcoat. It’s also worthy to mention that the version of Throwing Muses’ “Fish” differs from the Lonely Is an Eyesore compilation. A few unknowns for me here too, my favorite of that lot being the ethereal/cold contribution from Pat on the Back. M-1 Alternative also appears throughout the series, and contribute a great track here.

I really do love compilations like these, where every track fits together and is thoroughly enjoyable (also see the amazing L’Appel De La Muse series). All in all, you get a pretty good idea of what you can expect by simply looking at the cover. Not to be missed!

Various Artists- Doctor Death’s Volume I- Cette Enfant Me Fia Mourir
1. Rash Of Stabbings– Faulter
2. Throwing Muses– Fish
3. Breathless– All My Eye And Betty Martin
4. The Kite– Family
5. Pat On The Back– Afraid
6. Room Nine– Angels Sing
7. Circle Confusion– Survival
8. M-1 Alternative– Rain
9. Lung Overcoat– Find The Time
10. End Over End– Save

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Love Club- Lime Twigs and Treachery CD

Posted in 1980s, 1990, alternative, darkwave, goth, goth-rock, love club, san francisco on November 10, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s one I’ve had in my possession for some time now, donated by a friend a few years back. It’s been a while since I’ve thought about it, but after recovering from a major harddrive failure, I’ve since revisited this record with fond appreciation.

What we have here is a female fronted goth band from San Francisco, very much akin to the likes of Sunshine Blind, another US-based band who followed shortly after. This is their only album, released in 1990 on Popular Metaphysics, which was branded by MCA records, whose primary interest was metal at the time. Chances are that the band caught the label’s attention but didn’t perform as expected, as there are many cheap copies of this CD floating out there (and a wikipedia page!) but no audio to back it up. I’ve seen some requests for it out there in the ether, so about time this album is heard in full.

I must warn you: the second half of this album may be a little too Tori Amos-esque for some readers, but the first half just slays. Hard hitting tracks like “One Last Kiss” and “Holding Heaven’s Hand” should feel right at home for any late 80s darkwave collection, and are worth the price of admission alone. I feel like this album would have been more commercially successful if it were released three or four years later, when the alternative explosion was well underway with darker undercurrents. Don’t let the A word scare you off though, as you may find yourself surprised by the strength of the first few tracks.

Love Club- Lime Twigs and Treachery CD
1. One Last Kiss
2. Corpses In The Sand
3. Holding Heaven’s Hand
4. The Mirror
5. Killing Ground
6. Sad Eyes
7. Distant
8. Eternity
9. The Thief

DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED:  purchase the album on iTunes!

4 Comments »

Twenty Four Hour World- Twenty Four Hour World K7

Posted in 1980s, 1986, coldwave, deathrock, goth, goth-rock, post-punk, US on October 19, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a rare US cassette for all you goth and post-punk lovers out there. Released in 1986, this is the only known offering from Twenty Four Hour World. Great gloomy sounds perfect for a rainy day, and very reminiscent of Joy Division and early Modern English with a little bit of nasty deathrock mixed in for good measure. Really chaotic, visceral stuff here, not for the faint of heart!

Twenty Four Hour World- Twenty Four Hour World K7
1. Love Comes Down
2. Talk To Me
3. Miracle
4. Hot
5. Sound Of Impact
6. Ball & Chain
7. Drink
8. Trinity
9. Wonderful Life
10. The Big Boys

*download it here*

12 Comments »

The Pollen- Contrasts Mini-LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, adrian borland, coldwave, dreampop, french, indie, post-punk, the pollen, the sound on October 14, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

A recent, but welcome discovery, I’ve had this record in my possession for a few weeks now, and I’m just now finally able to offer it up here for you all to enjoy. Here we have a mini-LP from French band The Pollen, produced by The Sound’s Adrian Borland. Naturally, you can expect some great post-punk sounds here, more of the dreamy variety. The album strikes me as a cross between Lush & Lively Art acts, with a little bit of that Borland magic thrown in for good measure.

Released in 1988, this record is more my cup of tea than their second LP Colours and Make Believe, which was released a year later. The follow up seems a little more indie-flavored, as opposed to the cold sounds on this release, but perhaps I’ll reassess it down the line. I also have a 12” from the same era that fits more with this album, and will post that as soon as I have the chance!

The Pollen- Contrasts Mini-LP
1. Killer
2. Military Tactics
3. Faraway
4. Like The Wind
5. Peel The Skin
6. Breaking Out
7. Hard Times

Check here for the CD rip for this & a bonus 12”.

 

9 Comments »

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!

3 Comments »

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