Archive for the 1980s Category

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Various Artists- Remote Viewing Vol. 2 K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, ambient, cassette, experimental, industrial, k7, minimal, minimal synth, remote viewing, remote viewing vol. 2 on March 21, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

This particular cassette comes on generous loan from Sean Mcbride, sole member of Martial Canterel and half of Xeno and Oaklander, two of the current synth scene’s most crucial players. For those who are unaware, the latest Martial Canterel record, You Today, has dropped via Wierd Records, and is quite the stunning piece of work. A modern classic, through and through. Pick up a copy here, if you haven’t already!

This cassette, upon hearing it, has quickly become an all time favorite. Released in 1989 on Network 23 (the first installment appeared three years prior, and has yet to be shared to my knowledge), this tape features an hour and a half of instrumental ambient and industrial works from several obscure artists. It’s a murky, unsettling, and highly atmospheric ride, without a single dud among the bunch. Many of the artists here appear exclusively among the series, while others have a few more scattered releases from around the same time. The standout for me is John Costello’s “Gormen Ghast,” which lifts off into minimal synth/dance territory after nearly three minutes of haunting atmosphere. There’s also an exclusive track by Colin Potter and a solid gem by Steve Hillman, to name a few. This is highly recommended for fans of Tangerine Dream, Coil, and John Carpenter’s film scores, but there’s a handful of great minimal synth gems sprinkled within. Dig it!

Various Artists- Remote Viewing Vol. 2 K7
1. Howard Ingram- Sacrestone 72
2. Michael Hines- The Spirit Of Radio
3. Greg Truckell- Mesh
4. Mangenta Mirror- NX-X1-11
5. R. N. Andrews- Chinese Dentist Time
6. Steve Hillman- Citadel Parts 1 And 2
7. Colin Potter- Malton
8. Kevin O’Neill- Lik Mai
9. John Costello- Gormen Ghast
10. What It Is- Rearing Pigs
11. Martin Coles & Rick Wernham- Object Detection
12. Rancid Poultry- Controlled Exposure
13. Peter Tedstone- Mystic Sequence
14. Tim Stebbing- Star City

*download it here*

15 Comments »

P!OFF?- Mein Walkman Ist Kaputt 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, german, minimal, minimal synth, NDW, transparent on March 17, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a German NDW/synth rarity from 1982. Seems to be the first release on Transparent Records. Both of these tracks are plucked from the full length LP, also released in the same year. Quite an expensive LP, if you can get your hands on it!

You can expect some excellent quirky synth sounds here. The A-side has an excellent synthetic bass groove running throughout it, a bit of an oddball dancefloor classic. The B-side is a bit more spastic, kind of atypical of the NDW movement, but enjoyable all the same. Here’s the rundown:

P!OFF?- Mein Walkman Ist Kaputt 7”
1. Mein Walkman Ist Kaputt
2. Ich Kann Kein Französisch (Dansez)

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Bad Baby- S/T & The Second Coming LPs

Posted in 1980s, 1985, 1986, bad baby, darkwave, german, post-punk on March 14, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

So far in 2011, I’ve been focusing on more guitar driven bands. It seems as if most of the synthpop/minimal gems have been uncovered, leaving very few rarities left to scour these days, many of which just aren’t that great to begin with. That said, the early-to-mid 1980s were certainly a huge breeding ground for the post-punk sound, and I’m sure there’s a slew of LPs left to discover in this realm. This particular German band fits the mold perfectly- and their material is as solid as it is seldom known.

Uploaded here we have both LPs from Bad Baby, a four piece from Hamburg. Cold guitar wave galore across two full records, released almost back to back. I tend to prefer the self-titled debut, but still find lots to love about their second 12”, which is the more commonly found of the two. Not much development in sound across these releases, just solid gloomy treasures that should be perfect for fans of Snake Corps, Blue In Heaven, Choir Invisible, Modern Eon etc. Googling this band is difficult, as little information can be found admist all the child-rearing tips and tricks out there. With that in mind, let’s get down to business:

Bad Baby- Bad Baby LP (1985)
1. A Dream Within a Dream
2. Broken-Hearted
3. Salvation Army
4. Promenade
5. Glasshouses
6. Mont Blanc
7. (Out of the Frying Pan) Into the Fire
8. Cry Baby Cry*

*Originally by The Beatles.

Bad Baby- The Second Scene LP (1986)
1. Twilight
2. Slow Down
3. Sleeping Hell
4. Blank Devotion
5. Alone
6. Sublime

*download both releases here*

9 Comments »

Siam- War and Peace and Inbetween LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, hadar goldman, intensive care unit, israel, new wave, post-punk, siam on March 11, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Curiously, I’ve just come across two bands with the name Siam, both of which will be featured here over the next few posts! This particular post concerns the Israeli band, featured on a previous Systems of Romance compilation.

This particular band formed in the mid-1980s, releasing a 12” in 1986 (as Saiam) and this full length record in 1989. Material was recorded for a second LP, but was scrapped as the band split. A few tracks saw the light of day on a posthumous collection, released in 1996. As for this LP, it’s definitely a new wave classic, chock full of post-punk rhythms, big hooks, and buzzing synths. Some tracks follow a similar rhythm driven sound as my last post, while others have a more anthemic feel akin to the likes of New Model Army and The Alarm. My favorite track is still the synth-driven “Changing,” but there’s definitely lots to love here.

Also worthy of note: this band features contributions from Hadar Goldman, who was one of the key players in Intensive Care Unit, previously featured here. I do believe that’s a photo of Goldman on the cover, who is often credited on electric viola. Word on the street is that the band reunited in 2006 and is working on new material.

Without any further ado, here’s the info for this release:

Siam- War and Peace and Inbetween LP
1. Choices
2. Private Jokes
3. B.R.O. (Dance Mix)
4. You Are Siam
5. Don’t Want To Understand
6. In The Realm Of
7. Changing
8. Tel Aviv Down Town
9. Life Goes On
10. Changing (Live)*

*bonus track, also featured on the band’s s/t collection.

*download it here*

2 Comments »

Empire- Eu 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, celluloid, coldwave, darkwave, french, post-punk on March 7, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s one on generous loan from Glenn of Cult of Youth/Blacklist. Speaking of which, make sure you check out the latest Cult of Youth record, released last week on Sacred Bones. Killer punk and western influenced neofolk, highly recommended!

As for this 12”, there isn’t a lot of information to be found online, but hopefully someone can help shed some light on this project. Seems to be a one off release, issued on Celluloid in 1982. The band hails from France and combines the bleak coldwave sound of Charles De Goal and dancier, drum and bass driven post-punk akin to early Simple Minds (think “I Travel”) or Airstrip 1. All four tracks feature the same rhythmic stomp throughout, and I can’t choose a favorite of the lot. Hopefully you all enjoy this one as much as I do. Here’s the breakdown:

Empire- Eu 12”
1. Merveilleusement Fou
2. Figure de Style
3. Jeunes Fantômes
4. Coeur d’Europe

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 1.27.18)

3 Comments »

Sport of Kings- Parade 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, darkwave, post-punk, sport of kings, US on March 1, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

I know I just dropped a post late last night, but I can’t help myself. Was just giving this one another listen after ripping it, and really feeling it today. Here we have the final 12” from Sport of Kings, released in 1983. It still follows the same Factory Records template that their previous work did, adding in a mix of the Chicago and Miami sounds, respectively. Some might find the female vox on “A Fire is Burning” a bit much, but I truly love that kind of thing (also see the Mankinds Audio Development 12” & Ministry’s “I Wanted To Tell Her” for more of the same).

Don’t fret though, even though this final 12” is a bit more polished than their previous work, there’s still plenty of dark, deep bass grooves for you to enjoy here. For those who missed their previous albums, you can get the On a Tall Building 12” here, and their full length LP here. I do believe their first 7” is still hiding somewhere, waiting to be discovered. If anyone has it, please chime in! Otherwise, here’s the info for this record:

Sport of Kings- Parade 12”
1. Parade
2. A Fire Is Burning (Oligarchic Mix)
3. A Fire Is Burning
4. Tell Me Dance

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Signal Aout 42- Pleasure and Crime 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, currently active, ebm, electro, new beat, sa42, signal aout 42 on March 1, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Just nabbed this fantastic EBM/New Beat 12” from the local shop, and surprised not to see it shared anywhere else. Here we have the debut single from Signal Aout 42, aka SA42. Released in 1986, this precedes their debut album Pro Patria, which followed three years later. The band started as a three piece, changing members several times over their tenure. I do believe they’re still active to date, playing shows across Europe and releasing music in a similar vein.

Fans of the aggressive new beat sound should love the hell out of this two track single. Both tracks have that nasty, powerful stomp that hits the spot on the dancefloor. The A-side was re-released two years later in heavily remixed form, most likely due to club success.

Here’s the details. Enjoy!

Signal Aout 42- Pleasure and Crime 12”
1. Pleasure and Crime
2. Lovely Trees

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 1.14.14)

3 Comments »

The Instigators- We Don’t Know What We Want 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, new wave, post-punk, the instigators, US on February 25, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a rare US entry to the new wave scene with a 2 track 7” from 1985. A complete obscurity, with nothing to be found on the internet or elsewhere. The a-side is a great guitar driven track with a few great synth hooks in tow. Almost sounds as if R.E.M. ditched the American underground and went for a more European aesthetic. It also kind of reminds me of the VHF LP, for those who enjoyed that particularly rare gem. A little gloom, but catchy all the same.

The b-side is far less interesting to me, with a more happy-go-lucky melody that recalls The Kinks, but different strokes for different folks. I’ll leave it for you all to decide.

The Instigators- We Don’t Know What We Want 7”
1. We Don’t Know What We Want
2. Electric Blanket

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Takumi- Meat the Beat LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, japan, japanese, minimal synth, new wave on February 22, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

It seems as if Japan is one of the last vestiges of rare synth music, with many more hidden gems yet to be discovered. With that in mind, here’s an LP from 1983. Not a lot of info to be found on this one, but you can expect some great minimal synth-tinged tunes here, some with lyrics in English, and some more experimental and quirky than others. Other tracks, like “Mein Schatz,” are perfect for the dancefloor. For me the album really rolls up its sleeves and gets serious during the second half, but your mileage may vary.

There also exists a 12” for Fragments of Time, released around the same time. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for that one, but in the interim, here’s the information for this little gem:

Takumi- Meat the Beat LP
1. Hauch Von Mir
2. Snapshot
3. Tokyoite
4. In The Ordinary Way
5. Reproduced Functionalist
6. A Cloudy Sky In My Yard
7. Myron
8. Days of Romance
9. Dear Dori
10. Mein Schatz
11. Wave Over And

*download it here*

7 Comments »

Jih- This Gift 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, jih, new wave, post-punk, synth, synthpop, uk on February 19, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a long lost 12” from Jih, a new wave band from the UK. While their full length LP was shared here, there also are a few 12” singles kicking around. This one was released in 1986, the same year as the LP.

In true 12” fashion, the version of “This Gift” on this record is different than the LP version, extended by a few minutes or so. I do believe the version of “The Shadow to Fall” is identical, though. Here’s the rundown:

Jih- This Gift 12”
1. This Gift
2. This Boy
3. Shadow to Fall

*download it here*

8 Comments »

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