Archive for the french Category

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Moderne- Moderne LP

Posted in 1980, 1980s, coldwave, french, minimal, new wave on June 19, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today calls for a little French electro-pop/minimal wave/whatever tag you want to put on these guys. It’s hard to classify, as some songs are cheery as sin, while there’s a hint of ice cold electronics throughout.

The band is Moderne, a French four piece formed in a town just south of Paris in 1979. Moderne released but two albums and a few 7”s, but each record featured a different vocalist. This is the first of the pair, a 1980 self-titled affair.

Moderne split soon after their second album L’Espionne Aimait La Musique was released, but have enjoyed some cult success with “Switched on Bach,” a single pulled from their swan song, also featured on 2004’s So Young But So Cold compilation.

Without any further ado, here’s the info for Moderne’s first record:

Moderne- Moderne LP
1. Indicatif
2. Séduction
3. Histoire Ordinaire
4. Electronique
5. Vers l’Est
6. Rock’n Roll Stars
7. Sans Signalement

*download link removed*

Minimal Wave, the fantastic NYC-based label known for collecting and reissuing obscure synth and wave gems has just recently released a double LP/CD, which contains both of Moderne’s groundbreaking records! Click here to nab your copy while the getting is good!

5 Comments »

Guerre Froide- Untitled 12”/Archives Cassette

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1985, 2000s, coldwave, french, guerre froide, reunited on May 2, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

The pseudo-request I’m fulfilling originally came in for French coldwave act Guerre Froide’s first cassette release, Cicatrice, but I am absolutely unable to track it down, so instead, I offer two fine Guerre Froide releases for anyone unfamiliar with the band.

Guerre Froide began in 1980 as a collective of electronic/organic musicians, releasing several underground cassettes and a 12” single. They only lasted three years, with several lineup shifts throughout, but the band resumed activity in 2006, with most of the original lineup intact. They have since issued a full-length record in 2007, entitled Angoisses & Divertissement and are touring to this day.

For your listening pleasure, I’ve zipped both their lone untitled 12” single (released in 1981) and their 1985 post-breakup cassette, Archives. Here’s the individual information for these releases, but please note that the two are uploaded together.

Guerre Froide- Untitled 12”
1. Ersatz
2. Demain Berlin
3. Mauve
4. Peine Perdue

Guerre Froide- Archives Cassette
1. La Chanson D’Ian
2. Eva (Berlin 81)
3. Départ
4. Sans Ultimes Sens Multiples
5. Berlin Demain
6. Remorquage
7. Gloria Victis
8. Brumes
9. Picaro
10. Flashbacks Futurs

*download both here!*

Otherwise, if anyone happens to have the 1980 Cicatrice cassette, feel free to chime in! Otherwise, here are links to the band’s official web-hubs. Can’t seem to find any proper purchasing information for the older material, but my French isn’t quite up to speed these days, I’m afraid.

Official Site
Myspace dot com
Purchase Guerre Froide’s 2007 record here

12 Comments »

Taxi Girl- Cherchez le Garçon Mini-LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, french, madonna, new wave, post-punk, taxi girl on April 30, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s upload was graciously donated by Chino and features French new wave act Taxi Girl and their 1980 debut Cherchez le Garçon (which seems to be an early collection of singles named after one of their 12” releases). Taxi Girl formed in 1978 and over the course of 8 years, released one full length record and five mini-LPs. The band developed a bit of a cult following due to their singles ‘S.O.S Mannekin’ and ‘Cherchez le Garçon,’ both of which are included below.

After releasing their lone full length in 1981, keyboardist Laurent Sinclair departed, while remaining members Daniel Darc and Mirwais continued Taxi Girl with a shift in musical style. The revamped lineup lasted three more years before disbanding. Darc, the vocalist, persued a solo career while guitarist Mirwais went on to produce Madonna’s Music and American Life.

Taxi Girl- Cherchez le Garçon Mini-LP
1. Petit Jardin Chinois
2. Cherchez le Garçon
3. V2 Sur Mes Souvenirs
4. Cherchez le Garçon (solitaire)
5. S.O.S. Mannekin
6. Les Yeux des Amants
7. Triste Cocktail

*download it here*

Chino also uploaded Taxi Girl’s 1981 full length Seppuku here, for anyone interested…

If your French is up to snuff, check out the band’s official site for more information, including current whereabouts and projects of Taxi Girl members. There’s even a forum, if you’re feeling saucy.

Taxi Girl official site

4 Comments »

Résistance- 100 Lives LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, coldwave, france, french, resistance on April 18, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Fulfulling a request to finish out the week…Today’s post features French coldwave greats Résistance and their second LP, 1989’s 100 Lives. I’m unable to dig up further information about the band (let alone a proper picture), so should anyone have any to contribute, feel free to leave it in the comments box and I shall amend with due credit and thanks.

On that note, here’s the information and link. Enjoy!:

Résistance- 100 Lives LP
1. Across The Ocean
2. By Your Side
3. The Upper Room
4. 100 Lives
5. Instant
6. The Missing
7. End Of The Day
8. Personal Treason
9. Stand Aside
10. D.Dancers
11. Downfall
12. Glimmer

*download it here*

A video for ‘Across the Ocean’ is linked below…Oh youtube, how you surprise me from time to time:

10 Comments »

Fall of Saigon- Fall of Saigon 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, fall of saigon, french, minimal, pascal comelade on April 17, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Uploaded this for a friend this morning, and figured I’d share it here as well. Linked below is the lone release by French minimal pop project Fall of Saigon, who walked in similar territory as the classic Young Marble Giants. Think very minimal drum machine patterns, scattered bass and guitar, toy pianos, and direct vocals, both male and female.

This 12” was released in 1983, and information about it and respective collaborators is scarce, with the exception of Pascal Comelade, who remains a prominent French musician to this day. His own works consist of wild instrumental pieces (some of which tread similar sonic territory as the Fall of Saigon material), while his collaborations span genres, including work with Faust and PJ Harvey.

Fall of Saigon- Fall of Saigon 12”
1. Visions
2. Blue Eyes
3. She Leaves Me All Alone
4. So Long
5. On The Beach At Fontana
6. The Swimmer

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* Click here to purchase a reissue of these tracks (and more) from Gazul/Musea Records.  Vinyl also available via Dark Entries records!

I’ve been trying to track down some of your most recent requests…However, I’m unable to find the specific records some of you have asked for. Mostly, I’ve tracked down a few Guerre Froide releases, but not the Cicatrice cassette. Stay tuned for some of the other requests tomorrow/next week.

5 Comments »

Ruth- Polaroïd/Roman/Photo LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, coldwave, french, minimal, ruth, synth on March 13, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Ruth were an incredibly short lived French synth/coldwave project, combining the efforts of solo artist Thierry Müller and members Philippe Doray and Ruth Ellyeri. The band formed in the mid-80s and released one full-length lp, 1985’s Polaroïd/Roman/Photo before parting ways. Müller would explore graphic arts and soon after would continue his solo work and form a new synth/experimental project entitled Ilitch, which is still active to this day.

In 2007, two early Ruth recordings were uncovered and released as a lone 7”, expanding their scant discography. Since its release, the title track has been compiled several times over on various French wave discs, bringing Ruth’s semi-obscurity to a head as a classic of the genre. A subsequent re-release of their debut album on CD through Fractal Records (sadly out of print at this point) compiled a handful of exclusive remixes, all of which are included with today’s download. Without any further ado, the details:

Ruth- Polaroïd/Roman/Photo LP
1. Thriller
2. Polaroïd/Roman/Photo
3. She Brings The Rain
4. Misty Mouse
5. Mabelle
6. Mots
7. Tu M’Ennuies
8. Polaroïd/Roman/Photo (Cotton Wool Mix, 1984)
9. Sans Mots (L’Orchestre Inachevé, Remix 2001)
10. Polaroïd/Roman/Photo (Instrumental First Mix, 1982)

*LINK REMOVED*— purchase reissues from:
Angular (LP)
Infrastition (CD)

For some further information on Ruth, but moreso to learn more about Thierry Müller’s current work with Ilitch, click below:

Ilitch music
Myspace tribute to Ruth

24 Comments »

Norma Loy- Romance 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 2000s, coldwave, french, minimal synth, norma loy, post-punk on February 25, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Today’s post is the very first 12” single by classic French coldwave band Norma Loy, one of the first bands of the genre, and one of the few to get significant exposure outside of their home country. Though original members Usher and Chelsea first met and collaborated in 1977, Norma Loy properly formed in 1981, dubbed so by Alan Vega of Suicide. Heavily drawing on the intensity of post-punk, the cold buzzing synths of minimal synth, and the theatrics of performance art, the band released several singles and full lengths with various lineups before disbanding in 1993. Usher and Chelsea continued their collaborations sporadically while each explored solo projects and various other art experiments in alternate mediums. In the meanwhile, the band’s influence grew, as several compilations and reissues sprung up from the band’s ashes.

After a thirteen year hiatus, Norma Loy reformed for a series of hometown shows, original members Chelsea and Usher joined by Lol (bass), Yann Reversat (guitar), Guillaume (drums), and Helene (buto dance). The band is seemingly still active, most recently appearing in Prague, yet no new material has surfaced.

I’ve uploaded their very first release, 1983’s Romance 12”. Without any further delay, the details:

Norma Loy- Romance 12”
1. Romance
2. Crazy Soul
3. Glance In Your Eyes
4. Tragic Venus

*download it here*

For your supplementary viewing pleasure, here’s a video clip for the band’s most well known tune, ‘Power of Spirit.’

For more info on Norma Loy, please visit their myspace page below. Also, Infrastition has reissued several of the band’s classic records, including the four tracks above (as part of an early singles compilation). Pick ’em up if you’re hip to it!

Norma Loy on myspace
Infrastition dot com

5 Comments »

Ellysgarden- Echoes CD

Posted in 1990s, 1994, coldwave, ellysgarden, french, post-punk, shoegaze on February 19, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Pardon the delay in posting, friends… Today’s band fulfills a request via email for French coldwave outfit Ellysgarden and their lone release, 1994’s Echoes. Their sound is more likens more to the shoegaze and dreampop movement as opposed to their country’s coldwave roots, most likely a product of the times. Further information about the three-piece band is scarce, though members of the band were previously active as Rosa Luxemburg, but if anyone has any more info regarding Ellysgarden’s whereabouts or history, feel free to send it my way. Otherwise, without any further ado, here’s the information for this gem of a record:

Ellysgarden- Echoes CD
1. Open Doors
2. Our Prayers
3. Over the Fancies
4. I’ll Know
5. Rise of Soul
6. Echoes
7. Muse (On My Own Face)
8. Velvet
9. King for a Day
10. A Boy Too Shy
11. Expiration
12. Her Face

*download it here*

18 Comments »

ADN’ Ckrystall- Jazz’ Mad LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 2000s, adn ckrystall, french, minimal on February 11, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

Before I begin today, my apologies for the dead massmirror links…I have no idea what happened with those, but I’m currently switching everything back to zshare. I have about four more posts to reupload (Clint Ruin, Boytronic, Mary Goes Round, and Baroque Bordello), and that should all be sorted out within the evening…

Secondly, thanks for all the requests that have been pouring in this weekend! I’m aiming to upload all I can get my hands on, but stay tuned soon for Siglo XX, Babel 17, Camera Obscura, Pavillon 7B, etc. and some local treats. I’ll attack all that as soon as I can.

Otherwise, today’s post is on ADN’ Ckyrstall, a French minimal artist who’s given name is Erick Moncollin. Erick took on his moniker as early as 1977, playing an experimental brand of rock music infused with primitive synthesizers. Throughout the late seventies, he developed his craft alongside members of the like-minded act GonG. The first ADN’ Ckryrstall release appeared in 1982, and until 2005 it was the lone full-length, though one other single followed in 1984. Afterwards, Erick added other members to the project, renamed ADN’ La Catastrophe,. Both outfits dropped off the radar in 1992 as Erick would delve into the techno/ambient scene under the name Dr. Strange, only to reappear in 2005 with a new LP, entitled Synthesizers And Other Electronic Masturbators.

I’ve uploaded ADN’ Ckrystall’s debut record Jazz’ Mad for your listening pleasure.

Details:

ADN’ Ckrystall- Jazz’ Mad LP
1. Cocaina Vitamina
2. Pour L’Amour D’Un Cygne / Puckies’ Power
3. Le Blues De La Fille Aux Jambes De Jeans
4. Haschisch T’Es Pas Cap!
5. Dragons’ Caravan / Spanik Elektronik
6. Tam Tam Samba

DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED: The album has been lovingly reissued by Dark Entries records!  Please purchase a copy and support the artist and label!

In 2005, underground label Minimal Wave uncovered a handful of copies of Jazz’ Mad on LP and are offering them through their catalog. Click below for a link to purchase it if you’re so inclined. Also included- a link to ADN’ Ckrystall’s myspace page, for those interested.

Purchase Jazz’ Mad via Minimal Wave
Myspace page

9 Comments »

End of Data- Sahrah LP

Posted in 1980s, 1984, art-rock, coldwave, end of data, french, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk on February 8, 2008 by Frankie Teardrop

I promise this isn’t intentional anymore, folks, but today’s band also happens to hail from France. It’s a request of sorts from a new reader, and the band is End of Data, a four piece Coldwave outfit who formed in 1983 and split just a few years later. Live setups for the band included ex-members of Tanit and Orchestre Rouge.

The band’s discography consists of two solid records, 1984’s Sahrah and 1985’s Dans Votre Monde. As I’m unable to scour up a copy of the latter in an “acceptable” bitrate (if anyone wants a 128kps rip of the record, holler and I’ll post it), I’ve only uploaded their incredible debut. Alternately, if anyone has a more sufficient copy of said record, feel free to send it my way.

Details:

End of Data- Sahrah LP (1984)
1. End Of Data I & II
2. If I’m Not A Killer
3. Follow Me And So
4. Like A Succession I & II
5. Trottodaf
6. Sahrah / Symphonie Inachevée

*download it here*

During their tenure, the title track ‘Sahrah’ became a slightly prominent club hit, and has since been featured on several coldwave/French wave compilations. They made a video, to boot, and here it is:

14 Comments »

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