Archive for the french Category

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Message- Dernière Nuit 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, coldwave, french, message, post-punk on July 1, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Arguably the best French 7”, second only to Coldreams’ classic Morning Rain, previously exhumed here. Like Coldreams, this one has also been posted in the past, but never at the greatest sound quality, as the most rare of records are hard to find in mint condition. Strangely enough, the insert here claims that 2000 of these were pressed, but very few seem to own this one, so I wonder just how many survived the 80s.

This single was released in 1988 on Krezimikroïd, a very DIY French label responsible for some other very-hard-to-find releases. More Message appear on several classic coldwave compilatioms, including the original L’Appel De La Muse (legendary), and the Esom Elion Esmaris K7. Another track appears on the Phantasm Compilation Vol. 1, which is very hard to track down. If anyone out there has this tape, please don’t hesitate to drop a line. Otherwise, here’s a crystal clear rip of this coldwave masterpiece!

Message- Dernière Nuit 7”
1. Dernière Nuit
2. The Crazy Garden

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.4.13)

14 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 »

Babel 17- Shamanic Tales LP

Posted in 1990s, 1992, babel 17, coldwave, france, french, touching pop on February 28, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Babel 17 were among the touching pop giants on the infamous Lively Art label (and one of my personal favorites of the era). The band released one full length LP and 10” EP before disbanding. A third record was recorded and was meant to be released in 1992, but Lively Art went bankrupt and folded, leaving the album in limbo.

…Until now!

Babel 17- Shamanic Tales LP
1. Ghostdance
2. Jouvence
3. Kiss of Storm
4. Ring on the Bells
5. Kiddie’s Gone
6. Shamanic
7. The Nightmare Goes On
8. Sense of Life
9. Virtual Vision
10. Watch 2 (Intercosmik Version)
11. Ghostdancer (Long way Remix)
12. Sense of Dub
13. Ring On… (Instrumental Mix)

*download it here*

6 Comments »

The Pollen- Contrasts/Factory Hours/Colours and Make Believe

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

Updated 12/16/24!

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 pristine CD rips of the band’s output, including both albums and the Factory Hours single (both the 12” and 7” tracks appear), all of which were released on the legendary Danceteria label. Contrasts also comes with bonus tracks from the Nurturing Desire 12”, which completes the discography, more or less (missing are a handful of live tracks from a best of as well as the single for River of Life, which has two remixes and a unique b-side)*

After The Pollen called it quits, two members formed shoegaze band The Park, who released one album in 1992*.

If you dug the Adrian Borland-produced mini-LP, be sure to download this one as well, for additional songs, higher fidelity, and as of December 2024, their sophomore record, which has grown on me considerably over the years… “Factory Walk” is also a killer track, complete with that cold post-punk sound we all know and love, with poppier and folkier-inspired b-sides. Fans of bands like The Popguns and Darling Buds as well as French coldwave/The Sound/etc. will hopefully adore this band as much as I do!

Have at it, folks!

*2024 update – stay tuned!

The Pollen- Contrasts (1988)
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

Tracks 1, 2, and 7 from Nurturing Desire 12”. The rest appear in different order on the Contrasts mini-LP.

The Pollen- Factory Hours (1989)
1. Factory Hours
2. (In Your) Head
3. Bushes and Briars
4. Passionate Reading (Remix)

Tracks 2 and 3 from the 12”. Track 4 from the 7”.

The Pollen – Colours and Make Believe (1989)
1. Wake Up And Fight
2. No Stranger
3. River Of Life
4. Watching Silently
5. In The Country
6. Jeune D´Esprit
7. The Darkness Is Around You
8. The Journey
9. A Better Past
10. Colours And Make Believe
11. 1990

*download all three here*

3 Comments »

Luxembourg- La Cible 7”

Posted in 1985, coldwave, french, luxembourg, post-punk on December 8, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Fresh from the heart of France, here’s a joyous and upbeat coldwave single (an oxymoron, perhaps?) from 1985. This limited edition single is the band’s only release, a private press with little-to-no information out there in the ether. The b-side is what really does it for me here, as it reminds me quite a bit of The Sound’s “Sense of Purpose,” with a lighter touch.

I could make a rather educated guess about which city this band was from, but that would be all too easy, wouldn’t it? About as easy as clicking the link below and downloading this little treasure!

Luxembourg- La Cible 7”
1. La Cible
2. Le Secret De L’ombre

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.4.13)

3 Comments »

Coldreams- Morning Rain 7”

Posted in 1986, coldreams, coldwave, darkwave, french, goth, post-punk on November 23, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

It’s almost time for Thanksgiving here in the States, and I’ve got quite a few things to be thankful for. Most pressingly, I’m thankful for this generous donation of a newly acquired, re-ripped, and cleaned up version of one of the greatest French gems in existence. As a huge champion of the French coldwave sound, you guys should know that this is no small statement. Fans of the genre should already be familiar with these two gloomy pieces of perfection, as this 1986 single been re-posted several times over the years, but not with such loving attention to quality and fidelity.

Experience it again this holiday season, for the first time!

Coldreams- Morning Rain 7”
1. Morning Rain
2. Eyes

*download it here*

5 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 »

Sensation- Trafic 7”

Posted in 1980s, coldwave, french, new wave, sensation on September 16, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Fantastic French coldwave with a slightly poppy edge here, released on Slim Productions, who boast a rather impressive roster of French obscurities and hits alike. Especially recommended for fans of Taxi Girl, with a little more bite. Release date unknown, not even listed on the record itself. A true mystery, for those who like that sort of thing. Educated guesses via catalog number place this as a 1985 release, but who can be sure of these things. Sounds like 1981 to me, but what do I know? Take a listen, take a guess!

Sensation- Trafic 7”
1. Trafic
2. Destruction

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.4.13)

8 Comments »

Ultime Possibilité- Errance 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1988, coldwave, french, post-punk, ultime possibilité on September 9, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Up next we have an uber cult French coldwave single from 1988, especially choice for fans of the (better) Nova Express tracks posted here and here, as well as the Panoramas single posted ages ago.

Nothing much I can tell you about these guys, aside from shedding a little light on M.S.R., the label which issued this 7”. Several other classics appeared on M.S.R., including Corps Diplomatique and Amour Puzzle, also nice touchstones for this single. Really cool stuff here in the always excellent French tradition, so hope you enjoy it!

Ultime Possibilité- Errance 7”
1. Errance
2. No More Lies

*download it here*

7 Comments »

Alan Shearer- Mines De Son LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, alan shearer, french, instrumental, synthpop on September 6, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here we have the second LP from Alan Shearer, released in 1984. Generally, it follows the same vibe as his excellent debut release (uploaded here in case you missed it). All instrumental once again, with some surprisingly poppy moments mixed in as well. Definitely some stunners in the mix here. I can’t seem to get enough of “Snapshot” or “Internal Clock.” The final track even reminds me a bit of some earlier Depeche Mode moments.

Funnily enough, I agree with comments made in the last post regarding video game music, as quite a few of these tracks call the classic NES soundtracks to mind. As someone who used to hold primitive boomboxes up to the tv screen to tape various soundtracks, I mean that as a compliment!

Anyway, without any further ado, here’s the info for this LP:

Alan Shearer- Mines De Son LP
1. Siouxie Likes Me
2. Mines De Son
3. Air Transe Aller
4. Pace-Maker
5. Snapshot
6. Brasilian Music Box
7. Internal Clock
8. Touche Pas A Mon Joël
9. Air Transe Retour
10. Very Christmas
11. Andes 90
12. Week-End At Sea

*download it here*

——

Also, while I’ve got your attention, might I direct you here? New album coming on September 27th, preorders available now. Just CD and digital for now, perhaps vinyl if enough demand calls for it!

You can catch a video for the first single here.

2 Comments »

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