Archive for the synthpop Category

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Fallout Club- Wonderlust 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, Fallout Club, Glenn Matlock, minimal synth, new wave, synthpop, Thomas Dolby, Thompson Twins on May 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

This particular minimal synth/new wave 12”, released in 1981, is a DJ staple of mine. Fallout Club were a short lived British band, who released just three 12” singles before splitting up.

After parting ways, most of the band went on to achieve success with other projects. Bassist Matthew Seligman joined the Thompson Twins, drummer Paul Simon paired up with former Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock, while keyboardist Thomas Dolby, who I presume needs no introduction, went on to have a commercially successful solo career. Unfortunately, vocalist Trevor Helion passed away in 1988, five years after the release of his solo record. However, the legacy of this 12” lives on. Aside from serving as a springboard for future pop acts, the a-side was featured on both the New Wave Complex and Tribute to Some Bizzare series, which collect dozens of obscure singles.

Fallout Club- Wonderlust 12”
1. Wonderlust
2. Desert Song

*download it here*

I haven’t heard the remaining Fallout Club releases, but I hope to track them down soon. If anyone has them kicking around, feel free to chime in!

8 Comments »

Heavenly Bodies- Rains On Me 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, coldwave, Dead Can Dance, ethereal, heavenly bodies, Robin Guthrie, spk, synth, synthpop on May 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Just picked up a couple of copies of this killer dance/synth classic. Big beats, ethereal vocals, and a swirling chorus comprise this track, which appears in both remixed and edited form alongside an exclusive instrumental b-side.

Members of Heavenly Bodies were involved in several more established acts throughout the 1980s, including Dead Can Dance, Jesus and Mary Chain, and SPK. Cocteau Twins comparisons are also valid, considering Robin Guthrie recorded both versions of the title track. This 12” appeared on C’Est La Mort in 1988, just after the band issued a full length debut. You can nab the full length record here at Totally Wired. Otherwise, here’s the info for this 12”.

Heavenly Bodies- Rains On Me 12”
1. Rains On Me (Extended Mix)
2. Rains On Me (Short Mix)
3. Pure & Simple

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 10.9.17)

3 Comments »

Trans-X- Living on Video CD

Posted in 1980s, 1983, canadian, disco, reformed, space disco, synthpop, Trans-X on April 28, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Trans-X were a two piece disco/synth outfit from Canada, who made quite the name for themselves in their home country with a handful of catchy electro-pop singles. Laurie Ann Gill (formerly a backup vocalist for Nudimension) and ambient musician Pascal Languirand comprised the duo for their first (and most prolific) run, which concluded in 1986 due to frustrations and lack of success outside of Canada.

Languirand returned in 1994 with a revamped version of the band, reissuing and re-recording several key singles with new vocalist Nadia Sohaei. As of 2010, Languirand has been living in Mexico, hard at work on the next Trans-X release.

Without any further ado, here’s the information for the band’s Living on Video LP, released in 1983. A compilation of sorts, the LP collected many of the band’s earliest singles and b-sides. This particular rip hails from the CD issue, which dropped ten years later and featured a handful of appropriate bonus tracks. Here’s the details:

Trans-X- Living on Video CD
1. Living On Video
2. Message On The Radio
3. Nitelife
4. 21st Century
5. Josee
6. Digital World
7. Eyes Of Desire
8. 3D-Dance
9. Monkey Dance
10. Through The Eyes Of The 90’s
11. Ich Liebe Dich (I Love You)
12. Living On Video (Re-Recorded)
13. Message On The Radio (Remix)
14. Vivre Sur Video

*download it here*

For your viewing pleasure, here’s the video for the title track, released in 1981:

6 Comments »

Few Boys- Secret Times 7 & 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, few boys, synthpop, westside music on April 22, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Been meaning to upload this one for ages. Classic synth pop single from Few Boys, a band on the infamous Westside Music label, best known as the home of Moskwa TV. This 1985 single is the band’s only release. The 12” version of the track is a DJ staple of mine, and has made its way into the majority of my playlists over the years.

Expect giant beats, shameless hooks, and an infectious chorus that’s impossible to resist. You can probably put this one in a league with Depeche Mode, Anything Box, Red Flag, Camouflage, etc. The 12” version of “Secret Times” is a bit longer (and a bit better quality, sourced from my own collection), but the 7” features an exclusive b-side, so I’ve uploaded both. Here’s the info:

Few Boys- Secret Times 7”
1. Secret Times
2. Flash & Pain

Few Boys- Secret Times 12′
1. Secret Times (12” Version)
2. Secret Times (Secret Dub)

*download both here*

2 Comments »

Buzz- Kennedy / Marinetti / Sexe 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, 1987, 1988, Buzz, coldwave, france, minimal synth, synthpop on April 19, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a triple threat of 12” recordings by Buzz, an underrated, synth driven act from the heart of France. The band released their first cassette in 1985, soon signing with Danceteria records (A Wedding Anniversary/In the Nursery, etc.) The band released four 12” records over the course of the 1980s, splitting soon after. However, the band has since reactivated, re-releasing several older cuts and issuing new material during the latter half of this past decade.

I’ve included three of the band’s 12” records on Danceteria, leaving behind the 25th anniversary edition of “Kennedy,” the band’s best known track. For those who want a more complete snapshot of Buzz’s ’80s material, be sure to pick up their extremely limited CD compilation, entitled Buzz 1984 – 89. Not only does the compilation include superior quality versions of these recordings, it also tacks a few killer live tracks at the end. You can nab a copy here and listen the band’s new sounds via their myspace page. Without any further ado, here’s the details for these releases:

Buzz- Kennedy 12” (1986)
1. Kennedy
2. Picaso

Buzz- Marinetti 12” (1987)
1. Marinetti
2. Lo Sai
3. Marinetti (Extended Mix)

*My rip of this 12” has the more sparse intro to “Lo Sai” separated from the main track, most likely done for DJ purposes.

Buzz- Sexe 12”
1. Sexe
2. Berlin
3. 12 Inch Allah
4. Sexe (Fire Mix)

*download all three releases here* (RE-RIPPED 12/1/24)

3 Comments »

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 »

Revel Hotel- The Beating of the Wings EP

Posted in 2000s, 2010, nyc, post-punk, Revel Hotel, synthpop on March 15, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Allow me to deviate slightly from this blog’s usual course to announce the release of my band Revel Hotel’s debut studio EP, The Beating of the Wings. In true Systems of Romance fashion, I’ve uploaded it for free download for any and all interested parties.

Revel Hotel formed as a three piece in ’06, playing our first show at Wierd soon after. Since then, we’ve changed our name, added a guitar player, and have been carving out our own niche here in New York City. While this is our first studio release, we’ve also issued a downloadable EP of a recent radio session, as aired on 91.5FM and mixed by JennaX. Alongside two tracks that appear on the studio EP, we cut two newer songs, as well as a rather faithtful cover of B-Movie’s “Nowhere Girl.” Those sessions can be downloaded here.

Our studio debut was recorded in March ’09, lovingly mixed and mastered over the course of a year. Without any further ado, here’s the info:

Revel Hotel- The Beating of the Wings EP
1. Purify
2. 1,000 Dreams
3. Terminission
4. Dark Naked
5. Before I Disappear

*download it here*

For anyone interested in purchasing the EP (no obligations, please!), the record is currently available on CDBaby, iTunes, and Wierd Records.

Otherwise, please feel free to spread the record around at will! Systems of Romance will soon resume regular activity, but in the interim, thanks for listening, and hope you enjoy!

Visit us at these hubs:
Webpage
Myspace
Facebook

10 Comments »

U-Bahn X- Young Hearts of Europe 12” + 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, darkwave, german, synth, synthpop, U-Bahn X on March 7, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Just snagged this killer 12” from a shop in Brooklyn, so figured I’d kick the week off with a fresh rip. This 1985 single seems to be this German band’s only release, and this particular 12” hails from 1985 and consists of two killer dance remixes and an exclusive track, also remixed. Think Clan of Xymox, early Ministry, and other big beat classics.  The original “Essential Mega Mix” was remixed in part by Pete Waterman, 1/3 of Stock Aitken Waterman, who were responsible for penning a series of club friendly tracks over the years.

I’ve uploaded both the 7” and 12” versions here, though both versions of “Kiss of Death” are the exact same, despite the alternate title.  I’ve also included an alternate mix from a rare 12” that was also compiled on the Tribute to Flexi-Pop series…

U-Bahn X- Young Hearts of Europe 12”
1. Young Hearts of Europe (Essential Mega-Mix)
2. Young Hearts of Europe (Valkyrie Mega-Mix)
3. Kiss of Death (Punishment Mix)

U-Bahn X- Young Hearts of Europe 7”
1. Young Hearts of Europe
2. Kiss of Death

Bonus Track from alternate 12”: Young Hearts of Europe (Valhalla Mega-Mix)

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 1.14.14)

 

UPDATE- Rexx Arkana, NYC DJ and remixer extraordinaire, has created an extended remix of “Kiss of Death”- the flip side of these singles. I’m pleased to offer it here as an additional download:

*download it here* (right click to “save as”)

For more on Rexx Arkana’s work, please click here and here!

11 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 »

Play- You Don’t Look The Same/In My Mind 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 1984, new wave, play, survival records, synthpop, uk on February 7, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Sorry for the barrage, but here’s a second post for this weekend. Before I begin, might I draw your attention to the original Der Deutsche Adel post, which has been updated with a 320kpbs, clean-as-a-whistle rip, for any fans of that fantastic record.

With that in mind, here’s a pair of singles by Play. In a previous post, I had uploaded their Red Movies LP, which was donated with a few bonus tracks tacked on to the end. These extra remixes were ripped at low quality, so I’ve rectified that not once, but twice with these following two releases! Even the band’s initial 12” is represented here, so that should bring us up to speed with a complete discography!

Play- You Don’t Look the Same MLP
1. This Little Girl
2. Deeper Than Blue
3. You Don’t Look the Same (Remix)
4. Erase the Memory
5. Chasing the Sun
6. In My Mind (Remix)
7. Red Movies

Play- In My Mind 12”
1. In My Mind
2. Red Movies
3. In My Mind (Remix)

DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED- at long last, Medical Records has reissued the entire Play discography (Red Movies LP + the extra remixes here) on LP.  Order HERE on Bandcamp!

3 Comments »

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