Archive for the 1986 Category

« Older Entries

Fem Snabba- Pupiller LP & Sinnesplats 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, 1988, ethereal, fem snabba, post-punk, swedish on June 26, 2024 by Frankie Teardrop

This one has been a favorite from the moment I first heard it, a front-to-back excellent LP that’s all killer, no filler. As always, many thanks to Goutroy for originally ripping this LP, which was originally released in 1988 on Parabellum Records. Fem Snabba were a five piece post-punk band from Sweden whose discography consists of two LPs and three singles. Their sound is reminiscent of bands like All About Eve, Tinderbox-era Siouxsie, Asmodi Bizarr, latter-period Xmal Deutschland, a lil Cocteau Twins, and all the other great bands in this vein. A nice blend of ethereal gothic sounds, which is certainly a sweet spot around these parts…

As a bonus, I’ve included the band’s first 12” from 1986, which features different recordings of “I Ditt Land” and “Saknad” but is as equally dark and engaging as the LP.

Fem Snabba- Sinnesplats 12” (1986)
1. Vårda Ditt Skrik
2. Saknad
3. I Ditt Land
4.  Sinnesplats

Fem Snabba- Pupiller LP (1988)
1. Saknad
2. Dagar Som Pupiller
3. Jord Och Stad
4. Gnistrande
5. Under
6. Kurragömma
7. Bårar Över Eld
8. Tinder
9. I Ditt Land
10. Nattfjärilen

*download both here*

5 Comments »

Ultime Possibilité- Ultime Possibilité K7 & Compilation Tracks

Posted in 1980s, 1986, 1987, 1988, coldwave, france, post-punk, ultime possibilité on April 3, 2023 by Frankie Teardrop

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Gérald Page, rhythm guitarist of French post-punk/coldwave band Ultime Possibilité during a brief birthday visit to NYC. He was kind enough to pass along a copy of the band’s first cassette, self-released in 1986, two years before their excellent 7”. I also have his blessing to share the recording here with you all. You can expect the same powerful, yet-catchy sounds throughout this tape, including an earlier version of b-side “No More Lies.” The rest of the tracks are unheard, exclusive to this release, and as incredible as the single that follows.

As a bonus, I’m also including two additional tracks the band recorded, both released on cassette compilations in 1987 and 1988 respectively.

Hope y’all enjoy!

Ultime Possibilité- Ultime Possibilité K7
1. Would You Smile
2. Sea of Faces
3. No More Lies
4. La Chambre Vide
5. Gardian Angel
6. Pensees Nocturnes

Compilation tracks:
1. Coute Que Coute (from The Unknown 4 – 1987)
1. What Was Your Mission (from The Unknown 4 – 1987)
2. Coute Que Coute (alternate recording, from Orcades Machinales Volume 1 – 1988)

*download it all here*

Also, please enjoy this amazing TV appearance of the band performing the fiery “Coute Que Coute” on the ZAP program:

Much love to Gérald for his generosity and for all the music! <3

4 Comments »

Magic Dragon – Emotional Landscape / Courage of Lassie – The Temptation to Exist LPs

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1986, canadian, courage of lassie, magic dragon, minimal, minimal synth, neo-folk, neoclassical on March 6, 2023 by Frankie Teardrop

Canada seems like an unlikely haven for a minimal synth/neofolk project with a very European-style sound, but that said, here are two of my favorite LPs from up north.

Magic Dragon formed from the wake of Private School, a punk band who released one single in 1979. Members Maddy Schenkel and Ron Nelson quickly formed Magic Dragon, enlisting bassist Rachel Melas to record their lone LP  Emotional Landscape, which was released in 1981 on Friends Records. The album combined the folky interplay of bands such as Steeleye Span and Mellow Candle with minimal electronics, skittering drum machines, and experimental passages, creating a singular sound that few bands, especially on the western hemisphere, were flirting with. Some other touchstones I can think in this vein are UV Pop, Mekanik Kommando, Solid Space, Les Joyaux De La Princesse, Collection D’arnell~Andrea, and Modern Art, all of which flirted with folkier and experimental influences over their tenure.

Magic Dragon soon evolved, adding violin player Rod Booth. The band changed their name in 1983 to Courage of Lassie (keeping the nostalgic/childhood magic and wonder alive in name), and self-released a cassette in 1984 that featured, amongst new material, the first track from the Magic Dragon LP. Their core folky/minimal synth hybrid sound remained intact, and the band soon recorded The Temptation to Exist, which consisted of a handful of songs from the cassette, a couple of new tracks, and a haunting cover of Pete Seger’s “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” done in Marlene Deitrich’s German-vocal style. This LP was originally released in 1986 via Amok Records, but has been re-released in 1987 and 1991, respectively. The band would release two more albums (1988’s Sing or Die and 1994’s This Side of Heaven) before calling it a day.

While folks may have heard both of these records before, I’m happy to provide newly digitized versions. Hope y’all enjoy!

Magic Dragon – Emotional Landscape (1981)
1. Objet Du Desire
2. Memories
3. Egyptian Radio
4. Once Upon a Time
5. (White Monkey) Under the Volcano

Courage of Lassie – The Temptation to Exist (1986)
1. All That I Know
2. Iron
3. Hiroshima
4. The Rose
5. Hopes & Fears
6. La Notte
7. Sag Mir Wo Die Blumen Sind
8. Air Du Temps

*download both LPs here*

Be sure to visit the band on Facebook.

2 Comments »

Pieces of Dreams – The Velvet Hand 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, darkwave, pieces of dreams, post-punk, swedish on March 2, 2023 by Frankie Teardrop

Gonna aim to post a trio of 7”s today, if all goes well… The first up on the docket is the lone single by Swedish band Pieces of Dreams, released in 1986. The single consists of two tracks of superb ethereal darkwave vibes. I’m reminded a bit of Concrete Blonde, if they fully embraced the vibes that were hinted at on Bloodletting.

The A-side is upbeat and punchy, while the flip is a bit more sprawling and moody overall. Regardless, both tracks tick that sweet spot that we know and love, so hope you enjoy them as much as I do…

Pieces of Dreams – The Velvet Hand 7”
1. The Velvet Hand
2. No Man’s Land

*download it here*

Leave A Comment »

A Motion Industry – Pylon the Pressure 7” / compilation tracks

Posted in 1980s, 1986, 1987, A Motion Industry, post-punk, uk on August 18, 2022 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s another one lovingly ripped by Goutroy of A Viable Commercial – from his shelves to your hearts. This is the lone single from UK post-punk quartet A Motion Industry, released in 1986. A solid two-track affair, for fans of driving, anthemic bands like Rhythm Corps, The Sound, U2, etc. Lots of guitars here. Aside from this lone 7”, the band does appear to have two additional loose tracks out there, one on the cassette-only compilation Against the Tide and another on 1987’s Sample & Hold compilation. Goutroy was kind enough to rip the latter as well for us, and I’ve found the former out on the internets (not either of our rips), so happy to include both tracks for y’all to complete the discography.

If anyone can help fill in the gaps on their story, we’re all eyes! Otherwise, straight to the good stuff:

A Motion Industry – Pylon the Pressure 7”
1. Pylon the Pressure
2. Re-Union

Various Artists- Against the Tide (1986)
6. Ignorance Is Bliss

Various Artists-  Sample & Hold (1987)
5. Man In a Bottle

*download it here*

6 Comments »

The Telling- The Telling 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, california, dreampop, ethereal, synth, synthpop, US on May 4, 2021 by Frankie Teardrop

It’s no small secret that I tend to go wild for things on the more ethereal/dream pop side of the spectrum, especially now more than ever before. With that in mind, today’s post was originally recommended by Goutroy and has become a fast favorite these last few weeks. Here we have the first 12” by The Telling a band from California. The band, consisting primarily of Don and Sheri Swanson, released this debut single in 1986 and followed it up with two albums in 1990 and 1998, respectively. I’ve heard a bit of the first record, which mixes in some more folk influences, via YouTube and immediately ordered a CD copy, but I haven’t heard much of the second record just yet.

This debut 12” features two vocal tracks and two dreamy, instrumental passages. While it may be easy to pick out the usual 4AD influences on this single, I also hear the playful art-pop influence of Kate Bush throughout, especially on closing track “Heaven Never End.” Other natural touchstones include latter-era Japan/early Sylvian solo works, and of course, the highly underrated Bel Canto, who were operating around the same time with their own blend of ethereal, atmospheric synth pop.

Hope you all enjoy!

The Telling- The Telling 12”
1. Ghost of Tokyo
2. Cocoon
3. Sand Mass
4. Heaven Never End

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Faded Films- Faded Years 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, canadian, new wave, post-punk on September 23, 2020 by Frankie Teardrop

Hi folks. Hope you’re all keeping safe and well out there. Here’s a rare and semi-pricy four-track 7” from a five-piece band from Canada, which was self-released in 1986. Apologies in advance for the audio quality on some of these tracks, each side clocks in around 7-8 minutes, which usually scrapes away some of the low end by design.

That said, each track here is a great post-punk/new wave hybrid (perhaps a touch of power pop influence as well, if that’s your cup of tea), with bouncy, yet gloomy rhythms. Lots of guitars and high synths on each track, and quite a few of the songs are incredibly catchy. Reminded a bit of mid-era B-Movie, Blue in Heaven, or even A Drop in the Gray.

Not much else to tell you about this one, so hope y’all enjoy!

Faded Films- Faded Years 7”
1 Faded Years
2 East of the Asylum
3. The Top
4. Jack in the Box

*download it here*

2 Comments »

Passion Theatre – Strange Desire/Mannequin 12”s

Posted in 1980s, 1986, passion theatre, US on July 14, 2020 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve had this pair of singles kicking around the collection for years now, and I’m not sure why it’s taken so long to post them, but here we are all the same. Here we have the two 12” singles from Passion Theatre, a trio from the US. Passion Theatre would gain a fourth member for their second single, though it seems like they don’t credit the female vocals on their first single, so perhaps they were always a quartet?  The band released two singles of exclusive material and were never heard from again, sadly. So it goes… Strangely enough, these records were released on an electro/hip-hop label which might be why they didn’t get too much traction in the new wave market? Also, it appears that the executive producer for both singles also worked with Stacey Q. on “Two of Hearts.”

…A lot of questions to be answered here.

Based on the cover art and rarity of these singles, you might expect some tried and true minimal synth sound (that’s actually what I expected when I picked these singles up ages ago) but they’re a little more on the breezy new wave/synth pop tip, maybe even a little power-poppy in spots. The real winner of the bunch is “Mannequin,” (aka “In Love With a Mannequin”) the title track from their second 12”. It’s a playful song about being in love with an in-store display figure, and it’s really a shame they didn’t make a movie about this exact premise, as I’m sure it would have been a hit…

Here’s the details for both singles, which were both released in 1986:

Passion Theatre- Strange Desire 12”
1. Strange Desire
2. International Love Affair
3, Menage A Trois
4. No For Answers

Passion Theatre- Mannequin 12”
1. Mannequin (Fiesta Mix)
2. Vacation Day
3. In Love With a Mannequin

*download link removed* – check Spacetalk Records for a reissue of these two singles!

7 Comments »

Lyon in Winter- As Winter Falls LP

Posted in 1980s, 1986, new wave, post-punk, san francisco on January 13, 2020 by Frankie Teardrop

Ripped this one to upgrade a while back and thought I’d share it for those who are unfamiliar. Here we have the lone LP from Lyon in Winter. This LP is an excellent slice of smooth new wave with some excellent post-punk bass grooves.  I’m reminded often of things like The Lucy Show, The Hurting, Dole, and Fiat Lux. Lots of saxophone, if that’s your thing (hint: as long as there are icy synths, I’m down with sax, too).

“The Haunting Moon” is the clear standout for me here, often appearing in some lounge DJ sets here in NYC, but the whole album is a solid listen from front to back. The LP came out in 1986 and is still pretty attainable, for those who might want to grab a copy of their own…

Hope y’all enjoy this one.

EDIT: It appears the Discogs entry on this album is incorrect, as this is NOT an album from former Negativeland member Richard Lyons, but by another musician with the same name, who operated out of the Boston area. It DOES appear (unless that tag is incorrect as well and the sleeve is referencing another guy by the same name), that Merle Allin, the brother of G.G., played bass on this LP. With all of this in mind, if anyone has any further info about this record, I’d love to hear more!

Lyon in Winter- As Winter Falls LP
1. I Dream
2. Summer
3. The Haunting Moon
4. Push! Pound!
5. As Winter Falls
6. Please Don’t…
7. The Change

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Black September- Rainbow Kiss 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, goth, indie, post-punk, uk on February 22, 2019 by Frankie Teardrop

Let’s get some guitars into the mix, shall we? Here’s a relatively cheap, but nonetheless obscure single from UK band Black September, who released this one slab of wax in 1986 via Lost Moment Records (Jesus Couldn’t Drum, Skin Side Out, B-Z Party, etc.).

The band were a four piece, led by Ian Hunter. While most folks might recognize the name from Mott the Hoople, though I’m not familiar enough with their catalog to confirm if this is indeed the same Ian Hunter, or someone with the same name. Otherwise, the music sounds suspiciously close to Death Cult, with a slightly more indie/commercial vibe. Other touchstones might include early Gene Loves Jezebel, Zero Le Creche, or Into a Circle – slightly anthemic, guitar-driven tracks with sweeping synths, through and through. I tend to prefer the b-side, but both tracks aim to please.

As of now, the single is a couple of bucks through the usual channels, so if you dig it, it’s well worth picking up!

Black September- Rainbow Kiss 12”
1. Rainbow Kiss
2. David

*download it here*

 

2 Comments »

« Older Entries