Archive for February, 2011

The Instigators- We Don’t Know What We Want 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, new wave, post-punk, the instigators, US on February 25, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a rare US entry to the new wave scene with a 2 track 7” from 1985. A complete obscurity, with nothing to be found on the internet or elsewhere. The a-side is a great guitar driven track with a few great synth hooks in tow. Almost sounds as if R.E.M. ditched the American underground and went for a more European aesthetic. It also kind of reminds me of the VHF LP, for those who enjoyed that particularly rare gem. A little gloom, but catchy all the same.

The b-side is far less interesting to me, with a more happy-go-lucky melody that recalls The Kinks, but different strokes for different folks. I’ll leave it for you all to decide.

The Instigators- We Don’t Know What We Want 7”
1. We Don’t Know What We Want
2. Electric Blanket

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Takumi- Meat the Beat LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, japan, japanese, minimal synth, new wave on February 22, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

It seems as if Japan is one of the last vestiges of rare synth music, with many more hidden gems yet to be discovered. With that in mind, here’s an LP from 1983. Not a lot of info to be found on this one, but you can expect some great minimal synth-tinged tunes here, some with lyrics in English, and some more experimental and quirky than others. Other tracks, like “Mein Schatz,” are perfect for the dancefloor. For me the album really rolls up its sleeves and gets serious during the second half, but your mileage may vary.

There also exists a 12” for Fragments of Time, released around the same time. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for that one, but in the interim, here’s the information for this little gem:

Takumi- Meat the Beat LP
1. Hauch Von Mir
2. Snapshot
3. Tokyoite
4. In The Ordinary Way
5. Reproduced Functionalist
6. A Cloudy Sky In My Yard
7. Myron
8. Days of Romance
9. Dear Dori
10. Mein Schatz
11. Wave Over And

*download it here*

7 Comments »

Reuploading

Posted in Uncategorized on February 21, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

A brief reminder, folks. I am always happy to reupload posts as appropriate. Over the course of this blog’s existence, I’ve had several issues with file sharing sites, especially Zshare. Many of the old links are still in working order, while others are not. Should a link no longer work, please let me know in a comment, and I will sort it out as soon as time allows.

However, nasty comments are not appreciated, and if they continue, I will no longer be willing to reupload and update old posts. Keep that in mind next time you decide to chastise someone for providing you with free music.

Thanks,
Mgmt.

7 Comments »

Jih- This Gift 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, jih, new wave, post-punk, synth, synthpop, uk on February 19, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a long lost 12” from Jih, a new wave band from the UK. While their full length LP was shared here, there also are a few 12” singles kicking around. This one was released in 1986, the same year as the LP.

In true 12” fashion, the version of “This Gift” on this record is different than the LP version, extended by a few minutes or so. I do believe the version of “The Shadow to Fall” is identical, though. Here’s the rundown:

Jih- This Gift 12”
1. This Gift
2. This Boy
3. Shadow to Fall

*download it here*

8 Comments »

Hang the Dance- Ghost Bloody Country LP

Posted in 1980s, 1988, goth-rock, hang the dance, post-punk, synth, uk on February 16, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

February seems to be a very post-punk month for Systems of Romance thus far. With that in mind here’s an excellent LP from the UK which I discovered in a local record bin for just a few dollars. A random purchase, selected on the strength of the cover and a quick turntable preview. Some awesome sounds here, reminiscent of Southern/Death Cult, but with clear, catchy synth lines on a handful of the tracks. Fans of bands such as Play Dead, Into A Circle, Snake Corps, and the Situation Two sound should really enjoy this one.

This appears to be the band’s only full length LP, though three singles were released around the same time. While there isn’t a lot of information about the band themselves, many gigographies include shows with the band over the years. Most notably, member Roman Remeynes sparked some controversy when calling in about the Ukranian John Peel Sessions performed by The Wedding Present. Fluent in Ukranian, Remeynes playfully stated that the band was ‘bastardizing the music.’ He was then invited to join in for the second peel session!

Here’s the info:

Hang the Dance- Ghost Bloody Country LP
1. Enfold
2. On the Waterfront
3. Babysitter
4. Horseflesh
5. Ghost Bloody Country
6. Host
7. Mahogany Day
8. Slate Detail
9. Look At Heaven
10. Some Sacred Ground

*download it here* (Re-ripped 8.13.17)

7 Comments »

Oto- Purge An Urge & Mr Schumaker

Posted in 1980s, 1984, 1986, coldwave, french, oto, post-punk, synth on February 13, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a series of releases that haven’t been posted yet, to my knowledge, but are certainly worth hearing. Fans of dark synth music should be familiar with this French coldwave/synth band, for their track “Anyway” is a genre staple. The track also appeared on last year’s Cold Waves and Minimal Electronics compilation, and the remaining 7” tracks can be found here or here.

However, here’s the band’s other two releases- the 1986 Purge An Urge LP and the vocal version of the Mr Schumaker 7”, released in 1984. You can expect the same strange, yet danceable edge on all of these tracks.

EDIT: It’s been brought to my attention that the 1984 OTO release is a different project all together, with nothing to do with the excellent coldwave releases to follow! Hope you still enjoy it all the same!

Oto- Mr Schumaker 7” (1984)
1. Mr Schumaker (Version Originale)

Oto- Purge An Urge LP (1986)
1. Discowar
2. Tequila
3. Kong
4. Evil Dance
5. Takomo
6. Estupefaction

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Thierry Meyer- Paradoxe 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, french, instrumental, minimal synth, synth, synthpop on February 9, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

For those not as jazzed about the previous guitar-driven posts, here’s something that should whet your appetite and offset the darkness a bit, courtesy of BX. I posted the a-side to this magnificent French minimal synth 7” on the first Systems of Romance compilation, and suffice to say, the b-side is of similarly high quality. Also an instrumental, but some great grooves here.

This 1981 single is Theirry Meyer’s only release, so not much more to tell about this one. Enjoy!

Thierry Meyer- Paradoxe 7”
1. Paradoxe
2. Trip

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Sanity Plexus- Redux

Posted in 1980s, 1990, 1990s, 1991, manchester, post-punk, Sanity Plexus, Sexus, uk on February 9, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

It’s been a long eight months, but I’ve since tracked down the remaining Sanity Plexus discography, consisting of a 12” and a full length LP. While the band taps into a little more production value here, there’s still the raw, DIY aesthetic throughout both releases that appeals. Fans of raw post-punk and indie rock with hard-hitting minimal drum programming should find lots to love here. Synth fans will especially dig the LP, which features arpeggiated keyboard lines and string pads to flesh out the sound a bit further than the two previous releases.

Both of these records were released on the same label as the debut 12”, which you can nab here if you missed it. Without any further ado, here’s the info:

Sanity Plexus- Tough Guy Shell 12” (1990)
1. Tough Guy Shell
2. Career Boys
3. Ambassador of Angst
4. The Pleasure Utensils

Sanity Plexus- Fidelity LP (1991)
1. It’s Not What You Think
2. Fatty Takes A Flyer
3. You Never Can Tell
4. Malevolent Angel
5. Big Chill
6. Why I Don’t Dance
7. Ozone-Friendly Boyfriend
8. Slice Of Life
9. Pop
10. Scandal In A Small Town

*download both here* (reuploaded @320kbps on 8.30.16)

2 Comments »

Claude Raines- Claude Raines LP

Posted in 1980s, 1987, Claude Raines, New York, post-punk, Rochester on February 7, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve been meaning to post this LP for months now, don’t know why it’s taken me so long. Up on the slab is the lone LP by Claude Raines, a US based guitar-driven post-punk band from Rochester, NY. Rochester must’ve been a great breeding ground for awesome, underrated post-punk, between this LP and of course, Eleven Pond. In fact, Cedric Herrera, vocalist for this band, was also the singer of Red Violet Red, the band that preceded Eleven Pond!

The closest touchstones for this 1987 LP include The Church, The Chameleons, Psychedelic Furs, and The Snake Corps, complete with the big guitar driven sound of all those bands. Perhaps a bit of a R.E.M./Grapes of Wrath vibe as well, just a bit heavier than either of those bands tend to run. According to the band’s Myspace page, run by an official member, they are hoping for a reissue and are looking for interested parties or labels who could make it happen. Hopefully this post here can bring this excellent LP to more widespread attention. Feel free to reach out to the band!

Claude Raines- Claude Raines LP
1. All Of The Days
2. No Talk
3. Stumbling Hard
4. Looking Around (Acoustic Mix)
5. Moving Through The Fields
6. Dancing
7. Looking Around
8. Going Under

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 9.25.17)

Lots to post in the coming weeks, including a the full Thierry Meyer 7”, an uncovered gem from Jih, and more!

8 Comments »

Troops For Tomorrow- Songs of Joy & Faith 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, furyo, gene loves jezebel, portion control, post-punk, troops for tomorrow, uk on February 3, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a killer post-punk 7” from 1982, released on Portion Control’s Rhythmic Records. The band hailed from the UK and this is their only release, though Albie De Luca of Gene Loves Jezebel/Furyo was a member. Definitely a must for fans of (early) New Order and Modern English. Coincidentally, members of Modern English produced this one. Otherwise, gloomy vox and punchy rhythms make this one a must for all fans of this kind of sound!

Troops For Tomorrow- Songs of Joy & Faith 7”
1. Songs Of Joy & Faith
2. The Prisoner

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.4.13)

10 Comments »