Archive for the synthpop Category

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VHF- 1st Impressions LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, synthpop, VHF on November 12, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

I was going to wait until Monday came to post this one up, but news travels fast, and a few people are already asking for it. Up on the slab we have one of the rarest new wave records in existence, the elusive VHF LP. Not to be confused with the heavy metal band of the same name (though the logo looks conspicuously like Van Halen), this particular EP has more in common with Speak and Spell era Depeche Mode, Erasure, and soulful synthpop in that vein.

This LP was released in the UK in 1984 on Pennine Records. A power pop single by Any Trouble was the label’s only other release. Coincidentally, VHF has a bit of a power pop vibe going for it, instead employing a slew of synth leads and drum machines in that minimal style we all love to get the job done. A curious mix, which generally works.

This doesn’t complete the VHF saga though… There’s a 7” out there for the title track, which I believe features an exclusive b-side. Maybe we’ll hear that one some day, but in the interim, here’s the info for this ‘holy grail’ of rare wave records:

VHF- 1st Impressions LP
1. The Peril Of Passion
2. Let Me Fall
3. Smile On Demand
4. No Surprise
5. I Know You Wanna Say Goodbye
6. Don’t Call Me
7. First Impressions
8. Key To My Heart
9. Our Love Is Undecided
10. Mirage
11. Counting The Days
12. Replacement Heart

*download it here*

27 Comments »

Телевизор (Televizor)- Шествие Рыб LP

Posted in 1980s, 1990s, minimal synth, new wave, russian, synth, synthpop, televizor, ussr, Телевизор on November 5, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Just received a request on Facebook to cover some of the Russian synth greats, so what better place to start than the debut album from Телевизор (translation- Televizor). While the band was conceived in 1984 in Leningrad, it took four years for their debut to appear. The LP was released on Мелодия records, which formed in 1964 and folded briefly when the USSR collapsed.

Kind of hard to classify this one properly, as it jumps styles on every track. If anything, it reminds me a bit of Chrisma’s Chinese Restuarant– a true hybrid that’s tough to pin down, but I’ll let you all decide for yourselves! Here’s the info and download link:

Телевизор- Шествие Рыб LP
1. Люди В Ожидании
2. Муха На Стекле
3. Город
4. Я Не Виноват
5. Вчера
6. Цветные Сны
7. Человек Из Ваты
8. Дальний Восток
9. Шествие Рыб
10. Обо Мне
11. Мания Величия
12. Товарищ Сухов
13. С Вами Говорит Телевизор

*download it here*

10 Comments »

Schmaalhans Weltraum- Samovar 7” + Bonus Tracks

Posted in 1990s, 1991, minimal synth, Schmaalhans Weltraumm, synth, synthpop on October 31, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s something a little more club-oriented for you minimal synth fans out there. Included within is the complete discography of Swedish duo Schmaalhans Weltraum. Their entire discography consists of just four tracks- one 7”, one compilation appearance, and one loose track. Short blasts of synth perfection, IMO.

The 7” dates back to 1991, while the compilation (Faces and Images) also contains several EBM and synthpop gems in this vein. Soon after these releases, Schmaalhans Weltraumm became Blomma, who dropped two releases into the 1990s.

Here’s the info for these four killer tracks, which should feel right at home on any dancefloor:

Schmaalhans Weltraumm- Samovar 7”
1. Samovar
2. Dr. Läderbär

Bonus Tracks:
1. Montagne Du Boef (from Faces and Images Compilation, 1991)
2. Maschinenmann*

*download it here*

*Quick correction. This track is NOT Schmaalhans Weltraum, but by a Swiss synth band called simply Schmalhans. If you still want it- grab that here!

3 Comments »

Industrie- H LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, australia, australian, industrie, new wave, synthpop on October 27, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

One of my favorite tracks from the first Systems of Romance compilation is Industrie’s “Secret Affair”- a playful synth jam with solid female vocals. Imagine my delight when I came across a pristine copy of their lone LP. I just received it yesterday, and I’ve already ripped and uploaded it for you all today.

This particular LP is the Australian band’s only release, hailing from 1983. While a handful of people contributed to the recording, only two appear in the photo on the back of the LP, so I reckon there were studio musicians involved. Not sure if the band ever performed live, so if anyone has any more info, please pass it along!

As for the LP, you can expect more of the same catchy new wave jams here, with only a few slower, less-interesting ballads. Everything else is pure new wave/synthpop heaven (for fans of Moev, early Berlin, etc.), so without any further ado, here’s the information:

Industrie- H LP
1. Heartbeat
2. Neon Neon
3. Second Death
4. Nothing Lasts Forever
5. Stay With Me
6. H
7. Secret Affair
8. You’re the One
9. Bedroom Eyes
10. Found You

*download it here* (re-ripped 4.16.17)

4 Comments »

Intro- 12” discography

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 4ad, fingerprintz, Intro, jackie brookes, jimmie o'neill, minimal synth, new wave, shox, synth, synthpop on October 18, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Up next we have two donated singles by UK-based synthpop project Intro, both released in 1983. While these two rips were donated by bx59cppw, I just recently found the first 12” kicking around for a mere $5, so this one should be easy enough to track down for those who would like to own it for themselves. Definitely an affordable piece of synthpop heaven!

Some of you may recognize the track “Haunted Cocktails” from the Return of Flexi-Pop series, so you can expect more of the same female fronted dance grooves on the rest of these tracks. Great production, catchy hooks, and all the works are on display here. As for the parties responsible, Jimmie O’Neill was involved as a producer with several projects, including Fingerprintz and The Silencers, while Jackie Brookes was part of the original 4AD lineup, providing vocals for the Shox 7” (one of my first uploads). She was also a member of Siam (a synthpop outfit reminiscent of Berlin) and released a solo LP in 1984, which features a few alternate mixes of these tracks.

This should definitely hit the spot for fans of U-BahnX, Kim Wilde, Moev, November Group, etc. Here’s the info:

Intro- Haunted Cocktails 12”
1. Haunted Cocktails
2. Haunted Cocktails (Haunted Mix)
3. Departures

Intro- Lost Without Your Love 12”
1. Lost Without Your Love
2. Lost Mix (Muzak Superior)
3. Epic

*download both here*

2 Comments »

Quadrascope- Baby Won’t Phone 7”

Posted in 1980s, 7'', france, minimal synth, new wave, Quadrascope, synth, synthpop on October 12, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Last but not least, thanks to a generous donation, we have a killer synthpop/minimal 7” from Quadrascope, an obscure French band. Not much to be said about this 1983 release, as there’s not a lot of information available, so the music will have to speak for itself. While the a-side is a catchy wave number in its own right, the b-side is truly the gem here. Those handclaps slay me every time! I’ll let you decide for yourselves:

Quadrascope- Baby Won’t Phone 7”
1. Baby Won’t Phone
2. Love Times Love

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Krisma- Cathode Mamma/Nothing to Do With the Dog LPs

Posted in 1970s, 1980s, Chrisma, italian, Krisma, minimal synth, synth, synthpop, synthpunk on October 12, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

I have a pretty huge backlog of things I’ve been meaning to post, so I’m going to chip away at them over the next few days, so bear with me, folks! To kick things off, I’ve had several requests to post some more tracks by Chrisma/Krisma, so here’s my two favorite LPs from this Italian synthpop outfit. Contained within this zip file are 1980’s Cathode Mamma (the band’s debut after switching from a ‘Ch’ to a ‘K’) and 1983’s Nothing to Do With the Dog (aka Fido on some releases), their third LP. There are still three more out there, but these two should keep you satiated for now! Here’s the info:

Krisma- Cathode Mamma LP (1980)
1. Cathode Mamma (Neue Version)
2. Many Kisses
3. Peggy Guggenheim
4. Rrock
5. Rien Ne Va Plus
6. Cathode Mamma
7. Telegram
8. White Knife
9. Last Chance to See Man

Krisma- Nothing To Do With the Dog LP (1983)
1. Nothing To Do With the Dog
2. I’m Not In Love (10cc cover)
3. I Must Know Your Name
4. Girls Drumming
5. Eye to Eye
6. Boys Drumming
7. Carefully
8. Find a Friend
9. Heroes of the Sea
10. Everybody Drumming

*download both LPs here*

For your viewing pleasure, here’s the official video for “Nothing To Do With the Dog,” one of the band’s biggest singles and an international breakthrough at the time.

7 Comments »

New Music Showcase- Rainbow Body Records/Night Gallery

Posted in 2000s, currently active, italo disco, Konnichiwa, new music, Night Gallery, Pendu Disco, Rainbow Body Records, synth, synthpop on September 24, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

I know you folks are probably still digesting this week’s onslaught of music, but I’d like to bring your attention to a fresh new record label on the horizon. I know I don’t really touch on a lot of new music here, but I’m definitely an advocate of new and interesting sounds building upon a lot of the material posted. That said, Rainbow Body Records, based out of Chicago, has dropped only a handful of releases since their inception, but have quite an impressive roster under their belt. Acts associated with the label include the quirky and playful Konnichiwa, the darkly intense White Car, the lush Golden Birthday, and the hypnotic Robert A.A. Low (whose 2009 release should feel right at home for fans of Tangerine Dream and Conrad Schnitzler).

The label’s latest release is a 8 track LP from Night Gallery, a italo-inspired act from Chicago, feautirng members of Gatekeeper and Golden Birthday. Recorded over the span of two years, these tracks combine warm synths, catchy hooks, and dark, yet soulful vocals. Definitely for fans of the Sequins and Spandex compilations as well as the Pet Shop Boys and Boytronic. You can nab a few tracks here:

—> Constant Struggle
—> Too Many Men

For those in the NYC area, Rainbow Body Records is putting on a showcase tomorrow (Saturday) night at Secret Project Robot, in Williamsburg/Brooklyn. Featured on the bill are all five of the aforementioned artists, playing one after another, with DJs Vernoica Vasicka (Minimal Wave/2vm), Beau Wanzer, and DJ Harrison dropping sets in between. The night is being put together by Todd Pendu, of Pendu Disco, who is also stirring up quite a string of local shows, not to mention the killer NY Eye and Ear Festivals, which I’ve had both the honor of playing and DJing for. Going to be a pretty killer night, so hope all you local peeps can make it! Otherwise, be sure to keep an eye out on Rainbow Body Records!

3 Comments »

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 »

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