Archive for the french Category

Fatidic Seconde- Le Drakkar (Sidonie) 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, fatidic seconde, france, french, minimal synth, new wave, synth, synthpop on September 16, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Been dying to hear this one for quite some time, so a million thanks to bx59cppw for finally tracking it down. Killer French new wave hear, one of the best singles of the era, hailing from 1985. Both tracks are unstoppable, though the b-side has a more romantic edge.

The band released three more singles before disbanding in 1988. You can get the equally captivating Métropolis 7” over at Dreams and Voices. Without any further ado, here’s the info for this one:

Fatidic Seconde- Le Drakkar (Sidonie) 7”
1. Le Drakkar (Sidonie)
2. Le Chemin D’Un Rêve

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.3.13)

Still have tons of goodies coming up, so expect a flurry of posts over the next few days!

Candidate- Side By Side LP

Posted in 1980s, 1987, candidate, french, minimal synth, synth, synthpop on September 5, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s the lone LP by French synthsters Candidate, released in 1987. There’s very little to be found about this two piece (though they have a website).  There are a few other releases of theirs kicking around, including a split K7 and a split 7” with Gangrène. Would love to hear them, should anyone out there have a copy kicking around!

Otherwise, you can expect some killer minimal synth grooves, with a little bit of edgy guitar thrown in for good measure. a nice mix of tension and melody here, best for fans of Pink Industry, Kas Product, Strawberry Switchblade, etc. Here’s the info:

Candidate- Side By Side LP
1. Strange Girl
2. Starway
3. On The Ice
4. Subterrateen
5. On//Off
6. Last Day
7. The Wound

*download it here* (re-ripped 2015)

Oberkampf- Linda 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 2000s, coldwave, french, Oberkampf, post-punk, reformed on July 15, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Just played this track at Wierd last night and got a few responses, so tossing it up as a favor to those interested attendees. Classic French coldwave contained within, released in 1983. It’s one of the band’s earliest releases, preceding a handful of LPs before their inevitable split in 1985. The single version of the title track differs a bit from the LP version, released the same year.

According to a few sources, the band was generally known for their anti-nationalist politics, oftentimes burning the French flag during live performances. As of 2000, the band has reformed, and released an LP in 2003. I believe they’re still together to date, but not sure, as their official website (http://www.oberkampf.net/) won’t load for me… With that in mind, here’s the information for this killer 7”.

Oberkampf- Linda 7”
1. Linda
2. Irréelle

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 7.3.23)

Indochine- L’Aventurier MLP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, currently active, french, Indochine, minimal synth, new wave on July 2, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s something a little more fun and bright for your summer weekend. Here we have the first major release by French new wave connoisseurs Indochine, released in 1982. Bright rhythms, pulsing synths, and shameless hooks to be found on each of these seven tracks.

The Indochine story began in 1981, but the band is still going strong to date, though only one original member remains in the band. According to a few sources, Indochine are the top selling band in France, and earned quite a cult following throughout Europe and Latin America. Unfortunately, like most non-English speaking bands, their music failed to find a proper audience in the US, despite fitting into the musical climate at the time. Well, let’s see if we can’t help turn a few heads around these parts, eh? Here’s the info for this killer debut 12”.

Indochine- L’Aventurier MLP
1. L’Aventurier
2. L’Opportuniste
3. Leila
4. Docteur Love
5. Indochine (Les 7 Jours De Pékin)
6. Dizzidence Politik
7. Françoise (Qu’est-ce qui t’as pris?)

*download it here*

Been ages since we had a video, but thanks to this band’s relative success, here’s the promo clip for the title track!

Mary Goes Round- Sunset LP/CD

Posted in 1980s, 1989, 1990s, coldwave, france, french, lively art, mary goes round on April 29, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

A few years ago, I featured French psychedelic-tinged coldwave band Mary Goes Round’s second LP, the killer 70 Suns In the Sky. A few folks asked for their debut LP, but it must have slipped my mind for all these years, so this post will hopefully rectify this obvious oversight. As an added bonus, I’ve included the CD issue of Sunset, complete with five bonus tracks that follow the original 12” LP.

Interested parties can read up a bit more about the band here, if you missed the original post. Otherwise, here’s the info for this otherwise essential debut from one of the coldwave movement’s best bands:

Mary Goes Round- Sunset LP/CD
1. Mary Sleeps Alone
2. Dark Times
3. The Night
4. The Promised Land
5. The Great Desire
6. Sunset
7. Teardrops Again
8. The Nightmare
9. Mary In The Sky
10. On The Sea
11. The Shelter
12. Another Sunset

*download it here*

Echo Prism- Jade Flower 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, coldwave, echo prism, french, post-punk on April 16, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a one off coldwave single dating back to 1985. Little is known about Echo Prism, but judging from the artwork, it’s safe to assume the band was a three piece, and self-released this without help from a label. You can expect some child-like synths, minimal drum machines, and some driving post-punk guitars from both sides of this 7”. Simple and primitive, but always effective. Enjoy!

Echo Prism- Jade Flower 7”
1. Jade Flower
2. Mere Albion

*download it here*

Panoramas- Amanda 12”

Posted in 1981, coldwave, french, Panoramas, polydor, post-punk on March 17, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s another French post-punk/coldwave release, dating back to 1981. Can’t seem to dig up a ton of info on Panoramas, but this particular 12” was released on Polydor. There’s also a 7” version of the record, which you can nab over at Dreams and Voices. However, this 12” features two additional tracks! The real gem of the lot is the title track. While more romantic and less dark than many of their contemporaries, these tracks are catchy as hell.

Panoramas- Amanda 12”
1. Amanda
2. Sinbad the Sailor
3. Les Secrets Du Pharon
4. Future Star

*download it here*

Performance- Performance 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, avant-garde, experimental, french, minimal, minimal synth, Performance on February 12, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s one quick little burst of minimal synth to kick off your weekend. Clocking in at ten minutes total, here’s the lone 12” from French band Performance, released in 1982. “Pilotes” is the real winner here, a great midtempo, female fronted synth track. Afterwards, the record hits more experimental territories, with gloomy male vocals and short instrumental bursts. Bringing things full circle, the 12” concludes with some midtempo female fronted synthpop.

Interestingly enough, this 12” was released on Celluloid, the same label responsible for a handful of releases by Material, Tuxedomoon, Can, Yello, and Soft Cell. Quite an eclectic mix, if you check their releases page, and definitely a fitting label for this release. Here’s the info.

Performance- Performance 12”
1. Pilotes
2. Ideal Prison
3. Tapage Nocturne
4. Sécurité
5. Idéal Présent

*download link removed* – new 2 x 7” release of “Pilotes” can be found here, alongside a reworked version of “Sécurité!”

Ice°- Ice 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, coldwave, french, Ice° on February 6, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

A quick post today, ladies and gents. Here’s a French 12” from a band called Ice°. Four tracks of killer coldwave (edit: with slight pop leanings), straight from 1984. Lead-off track “Le Grande Guerre” has been featured on a handful of compilations, including the excellent Des Jeunes Gens Mödernes, which features dozens of other frozen cold French gems.

Otherwise, the sleeve lists only two members for the band: Jérôme on guitar and Bruno on bass. Both are credited with vocal duties. The record was released on Caapare records, which according to discogs, this is their only release. Not much more I can tell you about the band, so let’s get to the tracks.

Ice°- Ice 12”
1. Le Grande Guerre
2. Le Visiteur Du Rêve
3. Listen To Them
4. Amandine’s Travel

*download it here*

Orchestre Rouge- Yellow Laugher LP + Soon Come Violence 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, coldwave, end of data, french, martin hannett, Orchestre Rouge, passion fodder, post-punk, tanit on February 2, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

I was just reminded about this killer album through a video posting on ye ol’ Facebook, perpetual time waster and otherwise social networking site. With that in mind, I’ve uploaded a killer full length by French coldwave band Orchestre Rouge. Attached is their debut record, 1982’s Yellow Laughter, a particularly driving guitar record released on RCA. The record was lovingly produced by Martin Hannett, famed producer for Joy Divison, Blue In Heaven, and a slew of other Factory Records bands.

As for membership, the band was a five piece, featuring Pascal Normal, who worked with both Tanit and End of Data after Orchestre Rouge’s disbandment. Théo Hakola and Denis Goulag went on to form Passion Fodder, taking their name from Orchestre Rouge’s second LP. As a quick aside, Passion Fodder also featured bassist Pascal Humbert, formerly of Tanit, now known for his work in both 16 Horsepower and Wovenhand. Pretty small world!

Anyway, I’ve also included the the 7” of “Soon Come Violence,” the band’s first single, featuring an exclusive b-side. Without any further ado, here’s the information:

Orchestre Rouge- Yellow Laughter LP
1. Soon Come Violence
2. Je Cherche Une Drogue (Qui Ne Fait Pas Mal)
3. Soft Kiss
4. Red Orange Blue
5. Hole In His Thigh
6. The Consul
7. Speakerine
8. Slugs
9. Crows

Orchestre Rouge- Soon Come Violence 7”
1. Soon Come Violence
2. Kazettlers Zeks

*download both here*