Archive for the 1989 Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Lost Desert- Heterogen Infiltration K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, coldwave, france, french, lost desert, marc collin, nouvelle vague on December 4, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

I owe a great deal of gratitude to Marc Collin of Nouvelle Vague for the next two posts.  I had the pleasure of meeting Marc at the weekly Wierd party a few years back, and I soon found out that he was involved in a handful of great coldwave projects before growing to critical and popular acclaim.   For those unfamiliar, Marc was involved in both Spleen Ideal and Persona, two cassette culture bands who released a handful of obscure releases.  More on Spleen Ideal soon.  Marc also ran the excellent New Horizon label, who issued an alternate version of this particular cassette.

As for Lost Desert, little is known about this French band, though the tracks scattered across various compilations are some of the strongest female fronted French coldwave tracks, mixing both organic instruments and New Order-esque electronics.  In fact, one of their most discovered tracks is aptly named “Tribute to New Order,” which appears on the excellent Supercherie compilation.  Other tracks appear on New Horizon’s Nos Années Folles and the excellent Mea Pulpa cassette, previously posted here.

This tape was originally released without a label in 1989.  Most of these songs appear on the highly coveted A Travers Le Miroir cassette, which appeared on New Horizon in 1990.  Considering the track list is near identical (and as this tape was distrbuted/licensed by New Horizon according to the insert), my guess is that these versions are the same across both tapes, with just two exclusive tracks per cassette, unless the titles were simply changed before the New Horizon edition.  Anyway, this tape is certainly worth the hype, which features a highly melodic side A and a more electronic side B.  A perfect release from France’s cassette culture.

Lost Desert- Heterogen Infiltration K7
1. Ouverture
2. Tu Avais Tort
3. Nouvelle
4. Sunrise
5. Vision Enflammée
6. Far Away
7. L’arme De Sang
8. Conversation
9. Etrange Satire
10. Eyes of Ice
11. Baby Watch TV! (Live)
12. Final

*download it here*

A million thanks again to Marc for ripping this gem!

 

13 Comments »

Asylum Party- Live in Lyon (November 4th, 1989)

Posted in 1980s, 1989, asylum party, coldwave, french, lively art, post-punk on April 29, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s one I’m pretty damn stoked to post. My very first post on Systems of Romance featured seminal touching pop/coldwave band Asylum Party, whose releases on Lively Art are among the best in any genre. I can’t sing their praises any higher, true stunners.  I’ve covered them many times since, with various compilation appearances over the years.

Here we have a live audience recording from 1989, featuring material from the band’s earlier releases, including Borderline, What Will You Learn?, and Picture One. Obviously, the quality is a bit rough and tumble, complete with a little bit of tape hiss, microphone murkiness, and sound limitations (comparable to the Ausweis tape posted a few entries back), but it’s not terribly distracting, and serves as a fitting snapshot of a band at the peak of its powers.  For those of you who like to collect live recordings, this should definitely be a nice treat!

Asylum Party- Live in Lyon (November 4th, 1989)
1. La Tourmente
2. Before the Smile
3. Better Days Ahead
4. Misfortunes?
5. Julia
6. Play Alone
7. Echoes & Lights
8. La Rivière
9. What Will You Learn (Cut)
10. Winter
11. Love or Madness
12. La Nuit
13. The Sabbath
14. Pictures

*download it here*

12 Comments »

Angels In Aspic- 12” Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1988, 1989, 1990, angels in aspic, post-punk, uk on March 12, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a contribution from Craig, who sent over these three singles from Angels in Aspic, a five piece post-punk band from the UK. They released three singles into the late 80s, the last dropping at the turn of the decade. There’s little information to be found through the usual channels, but it seems the band all went by nicknames, which makes tracking them down a little more difficult. A little info on Paul Marks (AKA Cuff) can be found here.

Also worthy to note that the band had a knack for wordy song titles. Purple prose!

Three singles here, zipped up in one file. Seems as if the band were aiming for a more commercial edge, judging from the glossier production and post-punk hooks. They sound to me like a much better and darker version of Love and Rockets, if that gives you any indication of what to expect here. My favorite track of the lot is “My Life Is Like Riding on a Ghost Train,” the b-side of the first single. Here’s the breakdown:

Angels In Aspic- Just Some Kind Of Groovy Mayhem (1988)
1. Just Some Kind Of Groovy Mayhem
2. My Life Is Like Riding On A Ghost Train

Angels In Aspic- Drive Me To The Centre Of Maximum Pleasure (1989)
1. Drive Me To The Centre Of Maximum Pleasure
2. Blood That Destroyed The World

Angels In Aspic- When Calm Is Overcome By Chaos (1990)
1. When Calm Is Overcome By Chaos
2. In A State Of Hypnosis

*download it here*

4 Comments »

Diastereomer- Mothersun 7”

Posted in 1989, darkwave, diastereomer, japan, japanese, minimal synth, new wave, puppets records, sect commune, synth, synthpop on December 19, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

This will likely be my last post until after the holidays, so why not end this year (my fifth) with an extremely rare and extremely top shelf 7” from Japan!

I first discovered this Japanese duo through a Youtube clip, and have been playing their tracks almost nonstop at the weekly Wierd records party ever since. This particular 7” dates back to 1989 and was released on Puppets records, a private press label that was also home to Sect Commune, co-producer of this gem. High school friends Yoshio Fukumitsu and Katsuya Shoman took turns singing on these tracks (Fukumitsu sang and contributed lyrics to the A-side, while Shoman wrote the music to both tracks and is responsible for the vocals and lyrics of the flip). Both played synths, with Fukumitsu also contributing bass and Shoman on piano.

Fans of Xymox, Depeche Mode, OMD, and various darkwave legends both big and small will find lots to love on this record. Many thanks to Katsuya Shoman for the extra info and generous permission to upload these for you all to enjoy!

Diastereomer- Mothersun 7”
1. Mothersun
2. Place

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – check out the new Ignition Advancer LP, which collects these tracks as well as a few unreleased gems from the band, via Bitter Lake Recordings.

While I’m here, I just wanted to thank everyone for the wave of support over the years. This blog wouldn’t exist without the camaraderie and interaction of friends, fans, and the musicians who have chimed in with their support and kindness. See you all in 2012!

8 Comments »

The Pollen- Factory Hours 12” & Contrasts CD

Posted in 1980s, 1989, adrian borland, coldwave, dreampop, french, indie, post-punk, the pollen, the sound on December 12, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

For those who enjoyed the Pollen LP posted a few entries back, here’s a post that is both supplemental and one which renders the previous post obsolete. Contained within we have the band’s 12” release, Factory Hours, as well as the CD issue of Contrasts, complete with several bonus tracks plucked from the band’s 12” releases from the era. So if you dug the mini-LP, be sure to download this one as well, for additional songs and higher fidelity! “Factory Walk” is also a killer track, complete with that Touching Pop sound we all know and love, with poppier and more celtic inspired b-sides. Your mileage may vary on those.

That said, still a plethora of enjoyable tracks to be found here, so have at it!

The Pollen- Factory Hours 12”
1. Factory Hours
2. (In Your) Head
3. Bushes and Briars

The Pollen- Contrasts CD
1. Nurturing Desire
2. Passionate Reading
3. Military Tactics
4. Dream
5. Like the Wind
6. Killer
7. Heathen World
8. Peel the Skin
9. Faraway
10. Hard Times
11. Breaking Out

*download both here*

3 Comments »

The Pollen- Contrasts Mini-LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, adrian borland, coldwave, dreampop, french, indie, post-punk, the pollen, the sound on October 14, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

A recent, but welcome discovery, I’ve had this record in my possession for a few weeks now, and I’m just now finally able to offer it up here for you all to enjoy. Here we have a mini-LP from French band The Pollen, produced by The Sound’s Adrian Borland. Naturally, you can expect some great post-punk sounds here, more of the dreamy variety. The album strikes me as a cross between Lush & Lively Art acts, with a little bit of that Borland magic thrown in for good measure.

Released in 1988, this record is more my cup of tea than their second LP Colours and Make Believe, which was released a year later. The follow up seems a little more indie-flavored, as opposed to the cold sounds on this release, but perhaps I’ll reassess it down the line. I also have a 12” from the same era that fits more with this album, and will post that as soon as I have the chance!

The Pollen- Contrasts Mini-LP
1. Killer
2. Military Tactics
3. Faraway
4. Like The Wind
5. Peel The Skin
6. Breaking Out
7. Hard Times

Check here for the CD rip for this & a bonus 12”.

 

9 Comments »

We Are Going To Eat You- Everywhen LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, indie, paisley underground, post-punk, uk, we are going to eat you on August 3, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

This one may border conspicuously on 80s indie turf, but it’s been hitting the spot lately as the summer creeps on and my interests turn to more guitar driven tunes.

In all honesty, I’ve had this 1989 LP kicking around for a while now, purchased sealed for a dollar at an upstate NY record fair (other scores included Trisomie 21’s Playing the Pictures and the Winter Hours record I posted ages ago). It took a post over at Kentucky Fried Wave to remind me that I had it lying around, unopened and deserving of a rip.

You can read quite a bit about these guys via Kill Your Pet Puppy, where you can also find their first two 12” EPs and a slew of photos. Pretty much all you could ever want to know about them appears in their writeup, so check it out!

As far as touchstones are concerned, this album does fit in quite nicely with the likes of the 80s paisley underground. Fans of Rain Parade, Winter Hours, early R.E.M., and Game Theory should be familiar with the sounds, which with a female singer in tow, also remind me of Ghost Dance and latter-day Xmal Deutschland. For me, the LP starts pleasantly enough but ends on the stronger side, with tracks such as “If You Believe” and “Her Dreamworld” standing out and giving it a bit of that dark flavor I like so much. Don’t take my word for it, however. Here’s the info:

We Are Going to Eat You- Everywhen LP
1. Photograph
2. Heart In Hand
3. This Conspiracy
4. Each Life A Mystery
5. Glory
6. Ride Upon The Tide
7. Eye To Eye
8. On A Day Like This
9. Just Another One
10. Here Always
11. If You Believe
12. Her Dreamworld

*download it here*

This LP was released on TVT records, which had a series of successful LPs (The KLF, Nine Inch Nails) under their belt. With that in mind, this band earned a bit of commercial attention, and filmed a video for “Each Life a Mystery.” Peep it here:

6 Comments »

John Costello- Halflife K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, ambient, cassette, john costello, k7, minimal, minimal synth, network 23, remote viewing, remote viewing vol. 2 on April 19, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

I have a few posts in line that go hand in hand with the Remote Viewing cassette posted a few weeks back. The first of such posts is the second tape from John Costello, one of the standouts from that compilation. His track “Gormenghast,” which was recorded live in Cardiff, also appears on the b-side to this cassette, alongside two other performances from that particular show. The a-side features lengthy tributes to popular horror scores. Either way, you can expect the same great synth work and haunting atmosphere on both sides. Here’s the information:

John Costello- Halflife K7
1. Halloween Suite
2. Texas Chainsaw
3. Flame Patterns
4. Surface Tension
5. Gormenghast

*download it here*

John Costello is still making a plethora of music, spanning several electronic styles. You can check out some of his current work via Myspace.

Also, for those interested, there are some great live videos from the infamous Cardiff concert (March 18th, 1989) available via Costello’s YouTube channel. Click here to check ’em out (scroll down the upload list to view the performances), and expect some more goodies from the Network 23 crew to follow. I’d also like to thank both John Costello and label head Kevin O’Neill for all the info, support, and generosity over the past few weeks!

7 Comments »

Various Artists- Remote Viewing Vol. 2 K7

Posted in 1980s, 1989, ambient, cassette, experimental, industrial, k7, minimal, minimal synth, remote viewing, remote viewing vol. 2 on March 21, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

This particular cassette comes on generous loan from Sean Mcbride, sole member of Martial Canterel and half of Xeno and Oaklander, two of the current synth scene’s most crucial players. For those who are unaware, the latest Martial Canterel record, You Today, has dropped via Wierd Records, and is quite the stunning piece of work. A modern classic, through and through. Pick up a copy here, if you haven’t already!

This cassette, upon hearing it, has quickly become an all time favorite. Released in 1989 on Network 23 (the first installment appeared three years prior, and has yet to be shared to my knowledge), this tape features an hour and a half of instrumental ambient and industrial works from several obscure artists. It’s a murky, unsettling, and highly atmospheric ride, without a single dud among the bunch. Many of the artists here appear exclusively among the series, while others have a few more scattered releases from around the same time. The standout for me is John Costello’s “Gormen Ghast,” which lifts off into minimal synth/dance territory after nearly three minutes of haunting atmosphere. There’s also an exclusive track by Colin Potter and a solid gem by Steve Hillman, to name a few. This is highly recommended for fans of Tangerine Dream, Coil, and John Carpenter’s film scores, but there’s a handful of great minimal synth gems sprinkled within. Dig it!

Various Artists- Remote Viewing Vol. 2 K7
1. Howard Ingram- Sacrestone 72
2. Michael Hines- The Spirit Of Radio
3. Greg Truckell- Mesh
4. Mangenta Mirror- NX-X1-11
5. R. N. Andrews- Chinese Dentist Time
6. Steve Hillman- Citadel Parts 1 And 2
7. Colin Potter- Malton
8. Kevin O’Neill- Lik Mai
9. John Costello- Gormen Ghast
10. What It Is- Rearing Pigs
11. Martin Coles & Rick Wernham- Object Detection
12. Rancid Poultry- Controlled Exposure
13. Peter Tedstone- Mystic Sequence
14. Tim Stebbing- Star City

*download it here*

15 Comments »

Siam- War and Peace and Inbetween LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, hadar goldman, intensive care unit, israel, new wave, post-punk, siam on March 11, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Curiously, I’ve just come across two bands with the name Siam, both of which will be featured here over the next few posts! This particular post concerns the Israeli band, featured on a previous Systems of Romance compilation.

This particular band formed in the mid-1980s, releasing a 12” in 1986 (as Saiam) and this full length record in 1989. Material was recorded for a second LP, but was scrapped as the band split. A few tracks saw the light of day on a posthumous collection, released in 1996. As for this LP, it’s definitely a new wave classic, chock full of post-punk rhythms, big hooks, and buzzing synths. Some tracks follow a similar rhythm driven sound as my last post, while others have a more anthemic feel akin to the likes of New Model Army and The Alarm. My favorite track is still the synth-driven “Changing,” but there’s definitely lots to love here.

Also worthy of note: this band features contributions from Hadar Goldman, who was one of the key players in Intensive Care Unit, previously featured here. I do believe that’s a photo of Goldman on the cover, who is often credited on electric viola. Word on the street is that the band reunited in 2006 and is working on new material.

Without any further ado, here’s the info for this release:

Siam- War and Peace and Inbetween LP
1. Choices
2. Private Jokes
3. B.R.O. (Dance Mix)
4. You Are Siam
5. Don’t Want To Understand
6. In The Realm Of
7. Changing
8. Tel Aviv Down Town
9. Life Goes On
10. Changing (Live)*

*bonus track, also featured on the band’s s/t collection.

*download it here*

2 Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »