Archive for the minimal synth Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

The Twins- Passion Factory & Modern Lifestyle LPs

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1982, 1990s, german, minimal synth, synth, synthpop, the twins on March 29, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post contains two classic LPs from German synthpop/minimal band The Twins. A duo at heart, consisting of Sven Dohrow and Ronny Schreinzer (not related, naturally), the band released several albums over the course of the 1980s and 1990s, issuing several live, remix, and rarities records into the new millennium. While their last proper LP was released in 1993, the band has reactivated for several live performances in their homeland over the past few years.

Inspired primarily by bands like Depeche Mode, OMD, John Foxx, Devo, and The Human League, their earliest works were dance floor fillers, adding a little italo-esque edge for good measure. Astute club-goers may recognize tracks as “The Desert Place” and “Face to Face – Heart to Heart.”

As a proper introduction to the band’s oeuvre, i’ve zipped up the band’s first two LPs, 1981’s Passion Factory and 1982’s Modern Lifestyle. Expect catchy synth lines, steady drum machine rhythms, and shameless hooks throughout both records. Here’s the breakdown:

The Twins- Passion Factory
1. The Passion Factory
2. X-Ray Eyes
3. Satellite City
4. Runaway
5. Electric Bats
6. The Desert Place
7. Night, Lights and Shadows
8. Younger Days
9. Wet Season
10. Synthetic World

The Twins- Modern Lifestyle
1. Modern Lifestyle
2. Face to Face – Heart to Heart
3. Regret
4. Knights of Old
5. Automatic Man
6. New Days, New Ways
7. Gilded Cage
8. I’m Staying Alive
9. Birds and Dogs
10. N 4

*download both here*

7 Comments »

Various Artists- Synthetic Romance LP

Posted in 1982, compilations, Dark Entries Records, minimal synth, uk on March 9, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

I have a new post waiting in the wings, but before I unveil it, allow me to draw attention to this great donation from Josh of Dark Entries Records. Astute synth fans should already be familiar with the efforts of Dark Entries, who not only has reissued the killer Eleven Pond and Second Decay LPs, but is also focusing on several new minimal synth artists, including the likes of Death Domain and an upcoming release from NY’s own Further Reductions.

As if this wasn’t enough, Dark Entries is one of the few US distributors of the Anna Logue Records catalog, and carries several of their more prestigious releases. So what are you waiting for? Click on over to their site, place some orders, and embrace both the new and old.

Speaking of upcoming Dark Entries releases, Josh has been kind enough to rip upload the 1982 Synthetic Romance compilation, which among others, contains a rare Those Attractive Magnets track. You can snag the band’s lone release here on Crispy Nuggets for now, and whet your appetite for Dark Entries’ upcoming Those Attractive Magnets release, which collects these tracks and more. As for the rest of the tracks, there should be a few familiar faces and quite a few new treats in store, so be sure to check this one out.

The LP comes complete with this message on the back:

Synthetic Romance- for people wanting a collection of modern and futuristic music. The groups are varied, from all parts of the country and all walks of life, with one thing in common – the synthesizer – perhaps the most sophisticated instrument of our century. This album is intended to promote the best new groups performing their own material. It also demonstrates the imagination and foresight of these little known musicians.

All tracks were produced by Darryl Johnston for Ebony Records, which required each band to re-record their tracks using state of the art gear and arrangements. This, as Josh points out, resulted in several forced arrangements and curious alternate versions. A blessing and a curse, perhaps. Anyway, without any further ado, the info:

Various Artists- Synthetic Romance LP
1. Johnny Dee- Stargazer
2. The Truth- System Thinking
3. Those Attractive Magnets- Fade Into Silence
4. Stranger Station- Welcome to the Night
5. Roman Holiday- Waste of Time
6. Liar- Oriental Lady
7. Low Profile- On the Run
8. Factor 10- Ever Since You Went Away
9. Biofeedback- As Pure as the Cloth
10. Motifs- Camera
11. D.H.S.S.- Together

*download it here*

8 Comments »

Various Artists- Strange Sounds Vol. 1 & 2 LP

Posted in 1980s, 2000s, absolute body control, bene gesserit, compilations, experimental, german, league of nations, minimal synth, Strange Sounds on March 3, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a curious treat to kick off the month of March. Contained within this post are both volumes of the Strange Sounds compilations, two unofficial releases containing some ultra rare minimal synth music. Expect a few familiar classics, rare gems, and as the title implies, some strange sounds indeed.

These two compilations hail from Germany, compiled by a studious collector. The second collection was released in 2006, but not sure about the first. Here’s the rundown:

Strange Sounds Vol. 1
1. Modern Art- Still Life
2. Solid Space- 10th Planet
3. Burlesque- Collision Of Sex
4. Minny Pops- Island
5. Transparent Illusion- Demented
6. Portion Control- Across The Fence
7. Ian Elms- The Street Enters The House
8. Cinema 90- In Ultra-Violet
9. Stephen Spera- Sound Of The Crowd
10. Absolute Body Control- Is There An Exit?
11. PSY 231- Rockin Rollin’ Rhythm
12. Exhibit A- Platform 6
13. The Metronomes- A Circuit Like Me

Strange Sounds Vol. 2
1. Bene Gesserit- Mickey Please
2. League Of Nations- Thin Ice Door
3. Dicky Design- Echofields
4. Erste Weibliche Fleischergesellin Nach 1945- Ich Fress Dir Aus Der Hand
5. Sudeten Creche- Are Kisses Out Of Fashion
6. Transparent Illusion- Is There Hope
7. Nocturnal Emissions- Don’t Believe It’s Over
8. Vita Noctis- Hade
9. Kabelbrandt- Endsieg
10. Vorgruppe- Mensch Im Eis
11. Telegraph- Telegraphic
12. Kein Mensch- Kein Mensch

*download both here*

7 Comments »

In Trance 95- Desire to Desire 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, darkwave, greece, greek, In Trance 95, minimal synth, synthpop on February 18, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Yesterday’s posts focused on the darker edge of the post-punk/electronic spectrum, so today’s goal is to bring you two dancier recordings. First up, we have In Trance 95’s debut 7”, the elusive and hypnotic Desire to Desire. While the A-Side is a catchy piece of synthpop, it’s the B-side that especially grabs me, with its deep repetitive grooves. Both tracks have a bit of a Cabaret Voltaire vibe going for them, without being as abrasive.

The band formed in Greece and released this 7” in 1988 via Wipe Out! Records. In Trance 95 split for several years, but the main duo has reappeared as a band called Itenef, re-recording several of their classics and writing several new tracks with a female vocalist at the helm.

In Trance 95- Desire to Desire 7”
1. Desire to Desire
2. Brazilia

*download it here*

10 Comments »

Ann Summer- Baby Doll – Play Suite K7

Posted in 1980s, 1985, ann summer, experimental, minimal synth, neukoln records, swedish on February 17, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s something from the other side of the K7 spectrum. Whereas my last post featured a rare post-punk/gothic cassette, this one contains a more experimental/minimal release from Ann Summer, a Swedish two piece.

The release contains several short bursts of experimental synths and cold, gloomy vocals, ending with the catchiest and longest of the lot. Definitely an out there release, but the final track does make for some great dance floor electronics. An interesting tidbit: this cassette was released in 1985 by Neuköln Records, the Swedish label also responsible for the majority of 18:e Oktober’s releases, as well as a pair by Glenn Winter. Both bands are like-minded peers to Ann Summer, combining experimental rhythms with catchy electronics.

With that in mind, here’s the info:

Ann Summer- Baby Doll – Play Suit K7
1. Ann Summer I
2. Gordisk Knut
3. Delirium
4. Ann Summer II
5. Hemisfären (Endymion)
6. Plastisk Population
7. Ann Summer III

*download it here*

1 Comment »

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!”

11 Comments »

Psychic Youth- Step In Time 7”

Posted in 1982, 7'', minimal, minimal synth, Psychic Youth, US on February 10, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

For my third and final 7” for today, here’s Psychic Youth’s lone 1982 recording, two tracks of minimal synth bliss. Anna Logue was carrying the final copies of this 7”, unearthed after several years, but now they’re all gone, and all copies seem to be fetching a pretty penny on the internet. Otherwise, this is one of the best minimal synth obscurities around, and one of the few great US synth bands, hailing from Long Island/NY. Hope you enjoy it!

Psychic Youth- Step In Time 7”
1. Step In Time
2. The Future Now

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 9.10.12)

EDIT: It seems like all copies of this single are a pretty poor quality pressing.  Just obtained a near mint copy over here and re-ripped it and cleaned it up the best I could.   Still not perfect, but hope you enjoy the updated version!

4 Comments »

Svart Klovn- Knust Knekt 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 7'', Kid Death, maskindans, minimal, minimal synth, norweigan, Svart Klovn on February 10, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s the 1983 debut single from Norweigan minimal synth artist Svart Klovn, otherwise known as Kid Death. The title track was also featured on the 1984 Burning the Midnight Sun compilation and later remastered for the fantastic Maskindans compilation that dropped last year, while the b-side is a fast and furious piece of minimal synth.

The only other Svart Klovn releases are the 1986 Queen Bitch 7” and the Kid D. & the Nightshades LP, both featured over at Crispy Nuggets with some additional information about Kid Death and Svart Klovn. Check it out.

Svart Klovn- Knust Knekt 7”
1. Knust Knekt
2. Macho Manifest

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 3.3.13)

2 Comments »

Lars Falk- Solo Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 1985, 1988, coldwave, lars falk, minimal synth, swedish, synth, synthpop, twice a man on February 3, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Readers of this blog might have noticed several posts featuring Twice a Man, the Swedish synth group still active to date. Not only is the duo’s expansive discography rather solid (and rather genre hopping) from start to finish, one time contributor Lars Falk’s solo discography is just as captivating.

While Lars Falk was only a contributing member to Twice a Man, his three solo releases prove he’s an equally driving force in the Swedish wave scene. A great mix of gloomy synths, icy vocals, and jagged guitars calls both John Foxx and Fad Gadget to mind. Tracks such as “Hello Hello” and “See My Friend Fall” are dj staple around these parts, while the latter also been featured on the fantastic Retronics compilation, which collects several other Swedish acts including Lustans Lakejer, Samedi, and of course, Twice a Man.

That all said, here’s Lars Falk’s three solo releases, all wrapped up for your listening pleasure.


Lars Falk- Through K7 (1983)
1. Let Tomorrow Take Over
2. Hello Hello
3. Rainy Days
4. In The City
5. Through
6. Smell Of Chaos

Lars Falk- TV Eye 7” (1985)
1. TV Eye
2. Doors

Lars Falk- Lars Falk LP (1988)
1. In The Night
2. Kings And Queens
3. Nothing Is The Same
4. Painting Pictures
5. Elmer
6. Dum Dum Boy
7. See My Friend Fall
8. It’s Here Again

*download all three here*

5 Comments »

Outer Circle- My Mona Lisa 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, nth, outer circle, post-punk, US on February 2, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

This particular post comes as a generous donation from band member Brad Bechtel, and features the follow up 12” from Outer Circle, released in 1984. At this point in time, guitarist Cole Coonce joined the band’s lineup, solidifying the band as a six piece. The remaining band members, being Steve Spingola (vocals), Pat Collison (synth), Paul Santos (bass), Lee Howell (drums), and of course Bechtel on lap steel guitar are still intact, returning with more of their distinctive edge.

The 12” features three original tracks and two remixes of “My Mona Lisa,” as done by Gary Otto. Here’s the details:

Outer Circle- My Mona Lisa 12”
1. My Mona Lisa
2. Building Dreams
3. Warm Gun
4. My Mona Lisa (Gary Otto Mix)
5. My Mona Lisa (Instrumental)

*download it here*

In case you missed it, nab the first Outer Circle 12” here!

3 Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »