Archive for March, 2023

Magic Dragon – Emotional Landscape / Courage of Lassie – The Temptation to Exist LPs

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1986, canadian, courage of lassie, magic dragon, minimal, minimal synth, neo-folk, neoclassical on March 6, 2023 by Frankie Teardrop

Canada seems like an unlikely haven for a minimal synth/neofolk project with a very European-style sound, but that said, here are two of my favorite LPs from up north.

Magic Dragon formed from the wake of Private School, a punk band who released one single in 1979. Members Maddy Schenkel and Ron Nelson quickly formed Magic Dragon, enlisting bassist Rachel Melas to record their lone LP  Emotional Landscape, which was released in 1981 on Friends Records. The album combined the folky interplay of bands such as Steeleye Span and Mellow Candle with minimal electronics, skittering drum machines, and experimental passages, creating a singular sound that few bands, especially on the western hemisphere, were flirting with. Some other touchstones I can think in this vein are UV Pop, Mekanik Kommando, Solid Space, Les Joyaux De La Princesse, Collection D’arnell~Andrea, and Modern Art, all of which flirted with folkier and experimental influences over their tenure.

Magic Dragon soon evolved, adding violin player Rod Booth. The band changed their name in 1983 to Courage of Lassie (keeping the nostalgic/childhood magic and wonder alive in name), and self-released a cassette in 1984 that featured, amongst new material, the first track from the Magic Dragon LP. Their core folky/minimal synth hybrid sound remained intact, and the band soon recorded The Temptation to Exist, which consisted of a handful of songs from the cassette, a couple of new tracks, and a haunting cover of Pete Seger’s “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” done in Marlene Deitrich’s German-vocal style. This LP was originally released in 1986 via Amok Records, but has been re-released in 1987 and 1991, respectively. The band would release two more albums (1988’s Sing or Die and 1994’s This Side of Heaven) before calling it a day.

While folks may have heard both of these records before, I’m happy to provide newly digitized versions. Hope y’all enjoy!

Magic Dragon – Emotional Landscape (1981)
1. Objet Du Desire
2. Memories
3. Egyptian Radio
4. Once Upon a Time
5. (White Monkey) Under the Volcano

Courage of Lassie – The Temptation to Exist (1986)
1. All That I Know
2. Iron
3. Hiroshima
4. The Rose
5. Hopes & Fears
6. La Notte
7. Sag Mir Wo Die Blumen Sind
8. Air Du Temps

*download both LPs here*

Be sure to visit the band on Facebook.

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Passiflora- Statica 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1987, italian, jangle, passiflora, post-punk on March 2, 2023 by Frankie Teardrop

Traveling through Europe and landing in Italy for our third and final post today. Passiflora were an Italian outfit who tapped into similar sonic territory as Cocteau Twins, combining ethereal vocals with classical influences, jangly/folky post-punk, and some sax thrown in for good measure. Other touchstones include the excellent and underrated All About Eve or even perhaps The Innocence Mission, if they had a more post-punk edge.

This 1987 single is the band’s first release, though a cassette and a LP would follow after. The band would change vocalists in 1988, splitting after the 1991 LP release.

As always, enjoy!

Passiflora- Statica 7”
1. Statica
2. Gente Del Teatro E Della Morte

*download it here*

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Aptit – Han Vågar Inte 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, aptit, goth, post-punk, swedish on March 2, 2023 by Frankie Teardrop

While we’re on a Swedish groove, here’s a darker, more visceral post-punk single by Aptit, a sextet from Gothenburg, released in 1982. Fans of bands such as Asmodi Bizarr, Stimmen Der Stille, Cry of the Innocent, etc. will find much to love on both tracks, which have always been favorites, especially the driving b-side “Som Vatten.”

Three of the members of Aptit would continue to make waves in Sweden’s new wave/post-punk scene. Bassist Elisabeth Johnson would also play with Camouflage (not the synth pop stars we know and love, but the gloomier, synth-driven post-punk band who would change their name to Tapirena). Guitarist Tinna Möller would also play in Camouflage/Tapriena and sing backing vocals on Lars Falk of Twice a Man’s excellent solo LP. Synth player Ruby Berner would go on to perform with Abcess Exil.

Hope y’all enjoy!

Aptit – Han Vågar Inte 7”
1. Han Vågar Inte
2. Som Vatten

*download it here*

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Pieces of Dreams – The Velvet Hand 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, darkwave, pieces of dreams, post-punk, swedish on March 2, 2023 by Frankie Teardrop

Gonna aim to post a trio of 7”s today, if all goes well… The first up on the docket is the lone single by Swedish band Pieces of Dreams, released in 1986. The single consists of two tracks of superb ethereal darkwave vibes. I’m reminded a bit of Concrete Blonde, if they fully embraced the vibes that were hinted at on Bloodletting.

The A-side is upbeat and punchy, while the flip is a bit more sprawling and moody overall. Regardless, both tracks tick that sweet spot that we know and love, so hope you enjoy them as much as I do…

Pieces of Dreams – The Velvet Hand 7”
1. The Velvet Hand
2. No Man’s Land

*download it here*

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