Archive for the minimal synth Category

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Moulin Rouge- Essentials K7

Posted in 1980s, 1986, minimal, minimal synth, synth, synthpop on December 7, 2017 by Frankie Teardrop

Any self-respecting minimal synth fan should be more than familiar with the Orgelvärk compilation by now. Originally released on cassette in 1986 and reissued on wax in 2011 by Minimal Wave, this compilation boasts some killer cuts by underground Swedish artists. One of the highlights is the lo-fi dirge stomp of Moulin Rouge’s “Silence” – a track that has been near and dear to my heart ever since hearing it. That said, any additional material by the band was hard to come by.

With that in mind, I’d like to thank Thomas for the rip of this cassette, which collects nine tracks from Moulin Rouge (aka Anders Wikholm, aka Moulin Noir), including the version of “Silence” we all know and love. Curiously enough, the rest of the material is a bit more romantic, less gloomy, but still quite excellent. Reminds me a bit of a DIY version of Midge Ure-era Ultravox, but your comparisons may vary.

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact release date, as there is no date listed on the cassette artwork, but I’d wager it was 1986 or nearby considering both the sound and proximity to Orgelvärk’s release. Interestingly enough, Moulin Rouge also has a self-released cassette which has a little overlap, but a few additional tracks as well. If anyone happens to have a copy of that one, please chime in! Otherwise, here are the details and download link. Enjoy!

Moulin Rouge- Essentials K7
1. Welcome Home
2. Pamela
3. Sense
4. Silence
5. It Makes No Difference
6. Living In Cities
7. The Battle Of The Green Hills
8. Never Say Hello
9. The Golden Apples Of The Sun

*download it here*

8 Comments »

Bunny & The Lakers- Numbers LP

Posted in 1970s, 1979, bunny & the lakers, canadian, experimental, krautrock, minimal, minimal synth on October 12, 2017 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s one I’ve seen shared in snippets across many different blogs, but I’m not sure if it’s ever been shared in full. Perhaps on some long, distant, since purged blog. I’ve had this kicking around on my shelves for a while now, rescued from a NYC shop otherwise known for techno, house, and hip hop (you never know!), but I was recently encouraged to take it down and re-rip it, and I’m glad I did, because it’s quickly jumped up the ranks as a autumnal favorite. Besides, the digital copy I DO have has the track names reversed, so this one is worth another look however you want to dice it.

Bunny & the Lakers performed only once, and self-released this album on LP and cassette in 1979. Only 500 records are known to exist, each of them hand-numbered. There are QUITE a few sounds explored over the course of this LP, including the krautrock dirges of Faust, pummeling experimental electronics a la Throbbing Gristle, icy piano and synth workouts  by way of Telekon, quirky synth punk sounds similarly explored by  Tone Set, and even a skittery no wave hybrid thrown in for good measure.

The album is wildly experimental and may not be to everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s definitely lots to love here. I especially love the bleak “Weekend Guests,” which features female vocals, primitive electronics, and more gorgeous stream-of consciousness piano ramblings. Closing track “Dolphin Bay” is gorgeous as well… Many of the tracks blend into each other, so I’ve tried my best to separate them. Side B is a bit more structured, but I’m a little unsure where one track ends and the next begins on side A.

Bunny & The Lakers- Numbers LP
1. Inhalation / Ventalation
2. Cops On Parade
3. Yalps From The Alps/Shrieks From The Peeks
4. Maid In Sweeden/Batlore
5. In Terms Of Germs
6. TB Farm (Kiss Me Now)
7. S.O.S.
8. Weekend Guests
9. Sandy
10. Dolphin Bay

*download it here*

4 Comments »

Various Artists- Subtle Hints LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk, subtle hints, uk on September 14, 2017 by Frankie Teardrop

This one was already featured on Mutant Sounds forever ago, but it’s due time for a new rip and a new light to shine on this excellent electronic compilation from 1983. It’s gotten quite rare and pricey over the years, but remains a legendary entry into the UK’s minimal electronics and post-punk underground. Legend has it that most of these tracks were demos, and with a handful of exceptions (Art Interface, My Pierrot Dolls, a reissue of Chain of Command, and rare 7”s by Ad Astra and Picture Book), this compilation features their only released tracks.

I’d like to thank Thomas for his time and effort in providing the amazing rip here, and thanks as well to all the folks I was in touch with who offered to rip this one as well to put it back into the world. This one is for you guys, from you guys <3.

Various Artists- Subtle Hints LP
1. Always There- Squid Diddley
2. Some Aspects- Chain Of Command
3. Always Tomorrow’s Rain- Mon Amour
4. My Pierrot Dolls- My Pierrot Dolls
5. Hidden Pleasure
6. Witchcraft- This Side Of Paradise
7. A&R- Ad Astra
8. Statue of the Night- Time Statues
9. Success- Picture Book
10. If It Happened to You- Ind-X
11- Pseudo Rich- Synchronization
12. Follow Careers in Modern Love- New Vices For The Jaded
13. Beneath the Calm- Art Interface
14. Picture In Oils- My Pierrot Dolls

*download it here*

9 Comments »

Superdude- Face the Music 7”

Posted in 1980s, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, New York, new york city, superdude, synthpop, US on August 7, 2017 by Frankie Teardrop

Apologies in advance for being sparse this summer and completely missing my official ten year anniversary! With that in mind, I’d love to offer up a few posts today, starting with an excellent slice of minimal synthpop- extremely rare and incredibly catchy- just the way you all love it.

Superdude was a pseudonym for NYC-based musician John Pergamo, who wrote the track with his brother Anthony. It was released in 1983 on Ace Records, which looks to be Pergamo’s own imprint, judging from the various latter-day Superdude releases that appeared. This is Superdude’s only release in the 80s, though it looks like he kept the synthpop feel for some of his later releases, though I haven’t heard them to confirm.

That said, please enjoy this little slice of electro-pop heaven, backed with an instrumental cut of the track!

Superdude- Face the Music 7”
1. Face the Music (Vocal)
2. Face the Music (Sound Track)

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Synthetic Dreams- 7” discography

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1982, minimal synth, post-punk, synth, synthetic dreams on June 5, 2017 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s the full discography from UK post-punk/synth band Synthetic Dreams. The four piece band released two singles in 1981 and 1982, respectively. Their first release isn’t as well known as the Sulphate Suicide 7”, but is just as good (if not a little better) in my book. The first track, “Obsession,” has an excellent punchy wave sound with lots of post-punk influence. However, the B-side is the real winner here- gloomy and dirgy, dripping with buzzing analog synthesizers.

Speaking of their second 7”, I’ve decided to include someone else’s rip of it here as well for those who don’t know it, as the blog who originally uploaded it has since disappeared into the either. More of the same excellent sounds here- the A-side being a spastic near-instrumental, and the flip containing much of the same synth-heavy energy, with more vocals this time around.

Enjoy!

Synthetic Dreams- Obsession 7” (1981)
1. Obsession
2. U+500

Synthetic Dreams- Sulphate Suicide 7” (1982)
1. Sulphate Suicide
2. Voices

*download both here*

4 Comments »

Various Artists- Faces and Images LP

Posted in 1990s, 1991, ebm, minimal, minimal synth, Schmaalhans Weltraumm, swedish, synth, synthpop on January 23, 2017 by Frankie Teardrop

Straight out of the mailbox, onto the turntable, and to your ears all within the span of a weekend, here’s a rip of the wonderful Faces & Images compilation, which features a slew of lo-fi EBM, synthpop, and minimal treats.

This comp. hails from Sweden and was released in 1991 on Limur, who also released the Schmaalhans Weltraum 7”. Their signature track appears here, as well as an amazing lo-fi synthpop cut from Sidewalk Cindy. Other highlights include the Bites-esque band + Christ (their only known track), Kiethevez’s “Female Trouble” (which is heavily indebted to Depeche Mode’s pre-Music For the Masses era), Art Domination’s “Remember,” which channels D.A.F.’s electro period, and the killer Pet Cemetery tune “Set Right All Right,” which also owes a lot to early Skinny Puppy. There are also a few experimental cuts by Grönlandsbruttan and Verschwende Deine Jugend, which remind me of Factrix and a more out there Nitzer Ebb, respectfully.

Despite all the traceable influences and genres, there’s not really a dud on this comp., so please press play and enjoy!

Various Artists- Faces and Images LP
1. The Outcast- White Coat Compassion
2. Boiling Brain- Real World
3. + Christ- Filtering Vision
4. Grönlandsbruttan- Häxans Otäcka Dröm
5. Kiethevez- Female Terror
6. Schmaalhans Weltraum- Montagne De Boeuf
7. Pet Cemetery- Set Right All Right
8. Sidewalk Cindy- A Hundred Things To Say
9. Verschwende Deine Jugend- Source Of Conflict
10. Art Domination- Remember

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Jyl- Jyl LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, angela werner, jyl, minimal synth, new wave, synth, synthpop on September 21, 2016 by Frankie Teardrop

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Here’s one I’m sure you’ve all heard before but is due for a fresh rip at 320 for all you audiophiles out there! After years of playing most of these tracks out at the Wierd Party alongside some of my fellow DJs, I finally shelled out for my very own copy of this rare minimal/synthpop masterpiece from 1984. For those who don’t know it already, every track here is an absolute winner, hard-hitting, sexually charged, slinky synthpop just the way I like it. Not that I need to sell you on this any further, but for those who are unfamiliar, think Soma Holiday, Hard Corps, Propaganda, Six Sed Red, Silvia, etc.

Lots of great hands on this one from across the ocean. Fronted by Jyl Porch (pronounced Jill, naturally) from the US, this project featured additional lyrical and vocal contributions from fellow synthpop oddball Angela Werner, as well as electronics by Angela’s husband Ingo. Rounded out by Christoph Haberer on electronic percussion, this record also features impeccably glossy production from the legendary Klaus Schulze of Tangerine Dream/Ash Ra Temple. Plenty of other folks lent guitar and backing vocal contributions to the LP, so check here for the full list.

Assuming you haven’t already skipped straight to the download link, here’s the rundown:

Jyl- Jyl LP
1. Mechanic Ballerina
2. Universe
3. Computer Love
4. Positions
5. Dance and Death
6. The Computer Generation
7. Animation
8. Silicon Valley
9. Electric Lady
10. I’m a Machine

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED- pre-order a re-issue of this LP via Minimal Wave*

Can’t remember the last time we had a video up in here, so please enjoy this excellent (if but unembeddable) promo clip for “Mechanic Ballerina,” featuring lots of pectorals and body paint:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFV15M8Agiw

6 Comments »

Nick Haward- Grey Day 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, minimal synth, new wave, uk on August 18, 2016 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s an incredibly rare UK-released 7” from 1983, chock full that DIY minimal synth/post-punk vibe we all know and love. You may recall the A-side from the most recent SOR compilations, but until now I haven’t seen the flip floating around anywhere. The A-side is a bona fide classic, with solid baritone vocals, a catchy chorus, and cold synths galore. Even the uncharacteristic guitar solo is a welcome slice of heaven. The flip is more of the same, similar vibes all around.

I wish I could tell you more about this single, but this is all that Nick Haward ever recorded, and the only release on Cradle Music Incorporated. If you dug the Ahab single, Five or Six’s “Another Reason,” and some of the catchier Eyeless in Gaza singles, this one will definitely make your ears happy. Enjoy!

Nick Haward- Grey Day 7”
1. Grey Day
2. Watching Through My Window

*download it here*

1 Comment »

Scatterbrains- Musical Marriage

Posted in 12'', 1980s, 1983, krautrock, minimal, minimal synth, netherlands, new wave, scatterbrains on April 12, 2016 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a short 12” from the Netherlands that I’ve been dying to hear in full for some time. Some folks may recall hearing “Silly Earth”- a bleak minimal synth standout, on a previous SOR mix, but a full rip of this otherwise pricey 12” has been hard to come by. Those expecting to hear more in the lines of “Silly Earth” may be a bit disappointed by this record’s more kraut/avant-garde feel, but fans of the more raw and experimental side of the spectrum (including bands such as Vita Noctis and Fall of Saigon) should adore this one on all levels.

Wish I could tell you more about this one, but there’s not much to report. I’ll let the music speak for itself…

Scatterbrains- Musical Marriage
1. Song For
2. Musical Marriage
3. Lopen
4. Mij-Konos
5. Silly Earth
6. Scatterbrains
7. Fragma
8. Vanerm

*download it here*

8 Comments »

Tone Set- Calibrate Mini-LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, arizona, minimal synth, synth, synthpop, synthpunk, tone set, US on August 22, 2015 by Frankie Teardrop

Been slacking for a bit here, my apologies. Skipping to the top of my imaginary queue is a fresh rip of Tone Set’s classic Calibrate mini-LP/12”, released on Valentine’s Day in 1983. I originally covered this band in 2007, back when I was posting only a handful of tracks and maybe a video or two, and it took eight years to track a semi-affordable copy of this gem down. Man, time flies!

Click here for a refresher on this Arizona-based synthpunk band, who invoke the same spirit as Devo, The Units, Voice Farm, Oppenheimer Analysis, etc. It’s also worth noting here that the A-side features upbeat pop songs while the B-side features re-recorded versions of their earlier tape experiments.

Tone Set- Calibrate LP
1. Life Is Busy
2. Living In Another Land
3. Slim
4. Out Out!
5. What Good’s A Hit Song?
6. Wigglin Around In Middletown

*download it here*

More soon, I promise!

9 Comments »

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