» 1985 Systems of Romance

Archive for the 1985 Category

Borghesia- Ljubav Je Hladnija Od Smrti LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, 1990s, borghesia, ebm, minimal, slovenia on April 16, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Borghesia were a Slovenic electronic/wave band, formed from an existing theatre group in 1982. Both their performances and music touched on repressed themes and taboo subjects, combining this content with a dark synthetic backdrop. They were lumped in with the budding EBM (electronic body music) movement, yet their first record has more in common with the minimal wave sound.

Over the course of thirteen years, Borghesia developed a substantial cult following in Europe, appearing on festival bills and obtaining distribution through Wax Trax records. The original five piece outfit would shift lineups before splitting in 1995, with around/over a dozen releases under their belt. Uploaded here today, is the debut record, 1985’s Ljubav Je Hladnija Od Smrti

Borghesia- Ljubav Je Hladnija Od Smrti LP
1. Ljubav Je Hladnija Od Smrti
2. A.R.
3. Kdo Je Ugasnil Luc
4. Brisk Vomit
5. Jaz (Pesem B)
6. On
7. Nocne Setnje
8. Previse Tenzije
9. Tako Mladi
10. Ljubav Je Hladnija Od Smrti II

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – you can now get a remastered copy of this LP via the always excellent DARK ENTRIES label, an awesome reissue label based out of the west coast. Click here for more info!

For your viewing pleasure, the promotional video for ‘A.R.’:

For more info on Borghesia, click the following two links:

discography
myspace

4 Comments »

Ruth- Polaroïd/Roman/Photo LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, coldwave, french, minimal, ruth, synth on March 13, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Ruth were an incredibly short lived French synth/coldwave project, combining the efforts of solo artist Thierry Müller and members Philippe Doray and Ruth Ellyeri. The band formed in the mid-80s and released one full-length lp, 1985’s Polaroïd/Roman/Photo before parting ways. Müller would explore graphic arts and soon after would continue his solo work and form a new synth/experimental project entitled Ilitch, which is still active to this day.

In 2007, two early Ruth recordings were uncovered and released as a lone 7”, expanding their scant discography. Since its release, the title track has been compiled several times over on various French wave discs, bringing Ruth’s semi-obscurity to a head as a classic of the genre. A subsequent re-release of their debut album on CD through Fractal Records (sadly out of print at this point) compiled a handful of exclusive remixes, all of which are included with today’s download. Without any further ado, the details:

Ruth- Polaroïd/Roman/Photo LP
1. Thriller
2. Polaroïd/Roman/Photo
3. She Brings The Rain
4. Misty Mouse
5. Mabelle
6. Mots
7. Tu M’Ennuies
8. Polaroïd/Roman/Photo (Cotton Wool Mix, 1984)
9. Sans Mots (L’Orchestre Inachevé, Remix 2001)
10. Polaroïd/Roman/Photo (Instrumental First Mix, 1982)

*LINK REMOVED*— purchase reissues from:
Angular (LP)
Infrastition (CD)

For some further information on Ruth, but moreso to learn more about Thierry Müller’s current work with Ilitch, click below:

Ilitch music
Myspace tribute to Ruth

24 Comments »

Baroque Bordello- Today 12” / Via LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1985, baroque bordello, coldwave, french, laurence tolhurst on January 25, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Another French coldwave request fulfilled, as I’ve uploaded the first two releases by Baroque Bordello, who formed in 1981 and disbanded seven years later. The band was primarily female fronted, with a very driving keyboard and drum driven sound. Like most coldwave acts, Baroque Bordello sung in both French and English. Their discography consists of two full-length LPs and one 12” single (their debut produced by ex-Cure member/co-founder Lol Tolhurst). A two disc retrospective was released by Infrastition a few years back, which comprises their entire discography. A limited edition version was released which contains a bonus disc of demo recordings.

In 1988, the band signed to Polydoor records, shortened its name to Baroque, and released one 12” single before disbanding. Also, it seems as if there are a handful bands who’ve gone by the name Baroque Bordello, all unrelated. The latest has been active in the new millennium, but is not a reformed lineup of the band.

Without any further ado, details proper for their first two releases:

Baroque Bordello- Today 12” (1984)
1. Today
2. From Your Eyes
3. Les Algues

Baroque Bordello- Via LP (1985)
1. Voyageur
2. Marie Chinese
3. L’autre
4. Baby doll
5. I and I
6. Comme Toujours
7. Squares (Join the Room)

*download link removed*

For anyone interested in nabbing the official Baroque Bordello retrospective (and several other coldwave reissues), here’s Infrastition’s homepage.

Infrastition dot com

7 Comments »

Zero Le Crêche- Falling 12/7” and Last Year’s Wife 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1985, batcave, deathrock, post-punk, uk, zero le creche on January 16, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s band is Zero Le Creche, a UK-based post-punk/deathrock outfit whose sound bridged a gap between the catchy drawl of Psychedelic Furs and the atmosphere of Bauhaus. The band appeared during the legendary Batcave era in the Britian’s early 80s scene and released only two singles during their tenure, each with a different singer (the second does resemble the Furs’ Richard Butler a fair amount.) They disbanded lickety-split, and for ages these two singles became sparse and cherished classics. However, there’s recently been rumors of a potential reunion, and the band is releasing both these singles and various outtakes on CD in the very near future.

I’ve uploaded both 1984’s Last Year’s Wife 12” and 1985’s Falling 12” for your listening pleasure. There also exists a 7” version of Last Year’s Wife with a slightly different recording of the title track, so I’ve included that too, to complete their original discography.

Details:

Zero Le Crêche- Last Year’s Wife 12” (1984)
1. Last Year’s Wife (12” version)
2. Women Say
3. Fall to Dust

Zero Le Crêche- Falling 12” (1985)
1. Falling
2. Beyond Westworld
3. Terminal Tracks

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* While the band’s website seems to have gone belly up, CD copies of their material are available via Cd Universe. You know what to do.

You can nab a CD-R version of various tracks through the band’s website, though as mentioned above, a proper collection should appear shortly. Here’s the band’s home page, for curious parties:

Zero Le Crêche dot com

8 Comments »

Aimless Device- Hard to Be Nice MLP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, Belgian, post-punk, synth, wave on November 14, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s band is Aimless Device, a Belgian band mixing driving synthesizers and hard-hitting post-punk. I can’t find much information on these gents, aside from a tidbit cluing in on latter-day bassist Ferre Baelen’s previous involvement in similarly styled T.C. Matic. The band’s scant (and scarce) discography consists of four EPs and repeated compilation appearances, and some of their material has since appeared on CD. The band’s final single was released in 1987, and the band folded a few years later.

I’ve uploaded the entirety of their debut, 1985’s Hard to Be Nice for your listening pleasure.

Aimless Device- Hard To Be Nice 12”
1. No Friend of Mine
2. Till the Rain Falls
3. Hyena
4. Heart of Gold
5. Waterloo Bound

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* The band’s entire discography has been reissued via OnderStroom Records. Click here for more info.

That said, I’m considering breaking format and uploading full-lengths from certain artists, depending on how little or much they released. I still may keep to a two-track preview for bands with expansive output (or current, supportable acts) but may begin uploading full length singles, EPs, and records by bands since defunct. Any reader opinions on the matter?