Archive for the new wave Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

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!

5 Comments »

Figures on a Beach- Swimming 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, figures on a beach, future bible heroes, new romantic, new wave, synth, synthpop on September 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s the debut 12” by new wave/new romantic band Figures on a Beach, released in 1983. A little more poppy than I usually go for, but there’s tons of great hooks and melodies here, especially in the title track.

The band formed in Michigan (relocating to Boston) and released three LPs and a handful of singles before splitting in 1991. Their tracks are generally cult staples of the era, and can still be heard in some clubs to date. After splitting, Chris Ewen went on to play with Stephin Merrit in the Future Bible Heroes project, a more new wave offshoot of The Magnetic Fields. Ewan provided the new wave/disco backdrop for the band.

Though I do enjoy the majority of the band’s discography (including the Don Was-produced track- “Breathless“), this 12” is by far my favorite. Here’s the information:

Figures on a Beach- Swimming 12”
1. Swimming
2. Feel Like Glass
3. Decay
4. Everything But Heaven

*download it here*

4 Comments »

Berenek- Sound of Danger LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, berenek, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, norweigan on July 26, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Gonna wrap up this month with two more posts in quick succession today, so bear with me, ladies and gentlemen. I’ll be touring with Mark Burgess of the Chameleons UK over the course of a few east coast, so Systems of Romance will be dormant until mid-august. Consider these three posts a series of cold treats for the upcoming August heat wave.

Up first we have the coveted full length record by Berenek, a Norweigan based minimal synth project helmed by Espen Beranek Holm, also known locally for his weekly radio program.

I haven’t heard Berenek’s many releases throughout the 1980s, but this first record, released in 1981, is a gem for sure, and fetches some insane prices on the internet. You may have seen it over at Mutant Sounds, but I’ve supplied a higher quality/bit rip, fresh from the wax. Expect some killer minimal synth grooves and alienating electronics. You can also catch a remastered version of “Pictures and Paintings” on the Maskindans compilation, a must-hear for any fan of minimal synth and obscure new wave. Here’s the info.

Berenek- Sound of Danger LP
1. Sound Of Danger
2. Pictures And Paintings
3. Crystal Dream
4. How Could We Simply Die
5. Search
6. So Many Things
7. Doorway
8. A Prisoner In A Silent Way
9. Can’t Go To Sleep

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – purchase the reissue via Dark Entries Records!

7 Comments »

Richard Bone- The Real Swing 12”

Posted in 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, ambient, currently active, disco, experimental, new wave, richard bone, shox lumania, synthpop on July 20, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a classic early Richard Bone 12” for your listening pleasure. Born in 1952, Bone is considered an influential figure in the New York music scene in the early 1980s, a huge pioneer of electronic music. He began exploring the early art of the synthesizer, driven by the works of Brian Eno and Harold Budd, before moving into more poppier territory. He was also a member of experimental electronic band Shox Lumania in 1981.

A good portion of Richard’s early singles were on Survival Records, the same label that brought you Drinking Electricty, Faith Global, Hard Corps, and Play, to name a few.

Though he ceased to make pop records as of the 1990s, he still creates ambient music to this day. This particular 12” hails from 1984, just a few years into his solo career. Here’s the information.

Richard Bone- The Real Swing 12”
1. The Real Swing (Extended 12″ Re-Mix)
2. The Real Swing (7″ Edit)
3. Heartache History

*download it here*

Leave A Comment »

Pretty Poison- Laced 12” & Expiration 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, freestyle, new wave, pretty poison, synthpop on July 11, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a pair of early releases by Philadelphia-based new wave band Pretty Poison. Many of you folks may remember this band from the freestyle hit “Catch Me I’m Falling,” but their earlier, less successful releases had a far darker edge, from the gloomy, yet danceable music to the stark black covers featuring gothic imagery. Though these tracks became minor college radio singles, it would take four years and a stylistic re-invention for the band to take off.

This pair of releases dropped in 1983. Dying to hear one of their first releases, a 1982 flexi cover of Tuxedomoon’s “No Tears.” If anyone has that one kicking around, please pass it our way! Otherwise, here’s the information for these two releases.

Pretty Poison- Laced 12”
1. Seal It With a Kiss
2. Let Freedom Ring
3. Expiration
4. Tempest Nightmare

Pretty Poison- Expiration 7”
1. Expiration
2. The Realm of Existence

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED @ 320kbps on 2.15.17)

For curious parties, the two versions of “Expiration” here are completely different. The band would go on to re-record “Let Freedom Ring” for their first full length record in 1987, with a far glossier edge.

5 Comments »

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!

3 Comments »

Johnny Analog- Agent Provocateur LP

Posted in 1980s, 1988, Johnny Analog, minimal, minimal synth, new wave on June 25, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a cracking 6 song EP from Toronto-based musician Johnny Analog, released in 1988. The band, conceived by a former member of Digital Nation, consisted of Mr. Analog (clearly a pseudonym), Nathan Berman and Cathy Septembre. This was their only release, and strikes a middle ground between the dark synthpop of Fad Gadget and the shrill guitar freakouts of mid-period Chrome. Definitely a must for all minimal synth heads!

Johnny Analog- Agent Provocateur LP
1. Press!
2. Rhythmn Ruled
3. Agent Provocateur
4. Wet Electric
5. Uncut Video
6. Shaddup That Noise

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Sequins and Spandex Parts IV and V

Posted in 1980s, disco, hi nrg, italo disco, mixes, new wave, sequins and spandex, space disco, synth, wave on June 16, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Struck with the disco bug again, ladies and gentlemen, and what better way to celebrate the onslaught of summer than with a handful of killer jams. I know a lot of you enjoy this series of mixes, so to make up for its absence, I’ve constructed TWO full discs worth of classic space disco/italo/hi nrg etc. cuts for your listening pleasure. These are some of my all time favorite tracks these days, so I do hope you enjoy! Here’s the breakdown:

Sequins and Spandex: Part IV
1. Fog- Riccardo Cioni
2. Dark Silence- Art Fine
3. Domination- Flexi Cowboys
4. Spanish Run- Jaco
5. Valerie- Modem
6. My Love Won’t Let You Down- Nathalie
7. A Flash in the Night- Secret Service
8. N. 1,4/Magnetic Dance- Smiles
9. Driving- Sensitive
10. New Dream- Clay Pedrini
11. Eagles In the Night- Dario Dell’Aere
12. Heroes- Big Ben Tribe
13. Some Other Place, Some Other Time- Rockets

*download it here*

Sequins and Spandex: Part V
1. Let’s Dance Tonight- David Gray
2. I’m Looking For You- Ghibli
3. Escape From New York- John Carpenter
4. An English ’93- International Music System
5. Breakdown- Ray Cooper
6. Love’s Harmony- Paciscopi
7. Love & Magic (Dub Version)- Kristal
8. Secret Life- Clock On 5
9. Silent Smiles- Anthony’s Game
10. Future State- Future State
11. Main Theme (Remix)- Fabio Frizzi
12. Burn On the Flames- Paul Paul
13. Avventurieri- Jo Squillo Eletrix

*download it here*

Hope you kids enjoy! To download the previous installments, click here.

9 Comments »

Man Klan- Flesh Machine LP

Posted in 1980s, 1987, goth-rock, man klan, new wave, post-punk, swedish on June 1, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Second on the slab we have Man Klan’s lone LP, released in 1987. Can’t seem to find much about these guys either, and their entire discography consists of two 12” releases in 1985, this LP, and a 12” single for “Wanting & Waiting.” I believe the band was Swedish, though this particular LP was released on a UK label and features vocals in English. Pretty fluent, to boot!

Some great female fronted gothic grooves on here, sort of reminiscent of Concrete Blonde, (Devils era) X-Mal Deustchland, or Missing Persons, with sexually ambiguous lyrics. Striking similarities to mid-period Siouxsie as well, though track six is not a cover of the Banshees hit.

Man Klan- Flesh Machine LP
1. Wanting & Waiting
2. Everytime
3. Love For Pleasure
4. No Time For Mercy
5. Redheads
6. Candyman
7. Getting Closer
8. Fisherman
9. Flesh Machine
10. Love Child

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 4/2/22)

Up next: the highly coveted debut LP from Sanity Plexus! Just got a fresh copy in the mail!

4 Comments »

Dave Ball- Rare Tempo 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, Dave Ball, Genesis P-Orridge, new wave, soft cell, synth, synthpop, uk on May 17, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

This one comes as a generous donation, and supplements Dave Ball’s full length LP, which you can nab over at Mutant Sounds.

For those unfamiliar, Dave Ball was most famous as the second half of Soft Cell, but also was a member of The Grid as well as an esteemed producer. Though Soft Cell didn’t split until 1984, Ball released a solo record and a string of 12” singles in 1983, collaborating with the likes of Gavin Friday (Virgin Prunes) and Genesis P-Orridge (Psychic TV, Throbbing Gristle, etc.). In fact, this particular 12” features each of the three collaborative tracks, with Friday on the first and P-Orridge on the remaining two. The version of “Man In the Man” on this 12” is slightly different from the LP version (mostly clipping ten seconds of strange sounds at the beginning), but it looks like the other two songs are identical to their album counterparts, but might be a bit cleaner and crisper than the album provided above. Either way, it’s a nice additional nugget to any self-respecting synth collection! Here’s the information:

Dave Ball- Rare Tempo 12”
1. Strict Tempo
2. Man in the Man
3. Sincerity

*download it here*

5 Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »