Archive for March, 2025

Réseau d’Ombres – Vinyl Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1985, 1987, coldwave, french, post-punk, punk, synth, synthpunk on March 25, 2025 by Frankie Teardrop

Ahhh, this band. This band, this band, this band. No single French coldwave band gets my blood boiling more than Réseau d’Ombres. While not romantic and wistful like many of their contemporaries (and like much of the music I tend to prefer), this French trio is downright relentless and extremely caustic, while also remaining completely and utterly danceable. If you haven’t heard them yet, stop what you’re doing right now, download this link, and get listening. You can expect some of the most hard-hitting, synth-driven, coldwave you’ve ever heard – in the vein of bands like Ausweis, Killing Joke, Suicide, Guerre Froide, early Charles De Goal, Les Provisoires, early Xmal, and of course, Bérurier Noir.

The Laval-based band was rather prolific, releasing five cassettes (one which is a live show from 1984), one 7”, one 12”, and two full-length LPs between 1983 and 1987. The live cassette Ireos has been lovingly reissued by Greek label ειρκτή back in 2014, while the other cassettes are a bit more elusive. Except one that is coming in the mail shortly, so more on that later, wink-wink.

When I get in the mood for this band, nothing else will suffice, and with things as they are these last few weeks – let’s just say they’re really hitting the spot today. With that in mind, I wanted to post freshly updated rips of the band’s vinyl-only catalogue, and by “freshly,” I mean, I digitized the two LPs and 12” single for my own personal listening over ten years ago, and just haven’t gotten around to sharing them yet. Much love to Nick from Crispy Nuggets for handling the band’s exceptional debut 7” as well, which I’ve included with his blessing. Also, check out his video restoration work on “Mirrors” as well:

As always, enjoy!

Réseau d’Ombres – Instant 7” (1985)
1. Instant
2. Mirrors

Réseau d’Ombres – Sotcha LP (1985)
1 New York
2 On The Floor
3 D’Estonnie
4 Bigger
5. Return Ticket
6. Blue Horsemen
7. Square
8. Whoska Sound
9. The Gold Of Netsa

Réseau d’Ombres – Axe 12” (1987)
1. Hanky Panky
2. Perska
3. The Gash
4. Holy Scab

Réseau d’Ombres – Faction LP (1987)
1. Soldier
2. Control
3. Howtch
4. Fire Away!
5. 7.00
6. Mockers
7. Today 5
8. Burnt-Offering
9. The Hanged

*download everything here*

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Silent Windfall – And We Have Our Dreams LP

Posted in 1980s, 1986, Danish, ethereal, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, post-punk, Silent Windfall on March 20, 2025 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve been meaning to post this for a long time now. While many may already be familiar with this classic, this is a very special LP, one that has been soothing the savage beast these last few days. I hope this updated rip does the same for you all out there in this crazy world.

And We Have Our Dreams was released in 1986 via Skylight Records, and is the lone LP by Danish project Silent Windfall, who was primarily composed of bassist Lars Ranek and singer/multi-instrumentalist Bo Vess. Pernille Bøcker provides vocals on the first and the last track as well, adding a nice bit of feminine energy to this otherwise gorgeous LP, which is a mix of minimal new wave, post-punk, and ethereal. Some touchstones include early Black Tape for a Blue Girl, Tangerine Dream/Popul Vuh, Felt, This Mortal Coil, and maybe even a little of the mellower, folkier Pink Floyd tracks from the early 70s. There are two tracks with percussion on the first side that lean more post-punk, while the second side is a gentler affair, with expansive piano passages and ambient suites.

I really adore the range and delicacy of this album, and I hope you enjoy it as well…

Silent Windfall – And We Have Our Dreams LP
1. Here I Come
2. She’ll Be My Doom
3. Clouds Are Forever
4 And We Have Our Dreams
5. White Room
6. Float Like A Boat
7. Lifeline

*download it here*

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