Archive for the new wave Category

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Intro- 12” discography

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 4ad, fingerprintz, Intro, jackie brookes, jimmie o'neill, minimal synth, new wave, shox, synth, synthpop on October 18, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Up next we have two donated singles by UK-based synthpop project Intro, both released in 1983. While these two rips were donated by bx59cppw, I just recently found the first 12” kicking around for a mere $5, so this one should be easy enough to track down for those who would like to own it for themselves. Definitely an affordable piece of synthpop heaven!

Some of you may recognize the track “Haunted Cocktails” from the Return of Flexi-Pop series, so you can expect more of the same female fronted dance grooves on the rest of these tracks. Great production, catchy hooks, and all the works are on display here. As for the parties responsible, Jimmie O’Neill was involved as a producer with several projects, including Fingerprintz and The Silencers, while Jackie Brookes was part of the original 4AD lineup, providing vocals for the Shox 7” (one of my first uploads). She was also a member of Siam (a synthpop outfit reminiscent of Berlin) and released a solo LP in 1984, which features a few alternate mixes of these tracks.

This should definitely hit the spot for fans of U-BahnX, Kim Wilde, Moev, November Group, etc. Here’s the info:

Intro- Haunted Cocktails 12”
1. Haunted Cocktails
2. Haunted Cocktails (Haunted Mix)
3. Departures

Intro- Lost Without Your Love 12”
1. Lost Without Your Love
2. Lost Mix (Muzak Superior)
3. Epic

*download both here*

2 Comments »

Quadrascope- Baby Won’t Phone 7”

Posted in 1980s, 7'', france, minimal synth, new wave, Quadrascope, synth, synthpop on October 12, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Last but not least, thanks to a generous donation, we have a killer synthpop/minimal 7” from Quadrascope, an obscure French band. Not much to be said about this 1983 release, as there’s not a lot of information available, so the music will have to speak for itself. While the a-side is a catchy wave number in its own right, the b-side is truly the gem here. Those handclaps slay me every time! I’ll let you decide for yourselves:

Quadrascope- Baby Won’t Phone 7”
1. Baby Won’t Phone
2. Love Times Love

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Cathedral of Tears- Cathedral of Tears 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, cathedral of tears, darkwave, enigma records, Jack Grisham, new wave, post-punk, TSOL, US on October 6, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Moving right along, here we have a 12” by Cathedral of Tears, a US-based darkwave band with a danceable edge. This is the band’s only record, released in 1984 on Enigma Records, which was generally known for dark, sleazy punk (The Cramps, Dead Milkmen, TSOL etc.).

Though the record does flirt around with a more new wave sound, the project was primarily an outlet for Jack Grisham, of TSOL, which explains the ‘odd man out’ style of this record. Either way, expect some good darkwave grooves here.

Also, I believe there were several muscians involved with the project, including Mike Patton (Adolescents/Middle Class) on bass. I’ve stumbled upon some choice words about this 12” from Jack himself:

“This is one of those mistakes you make that you can’t take back. My dad died, I was going through a lot of shit…I stole the tapes. We had a record…we wrote a bunch of new songs, went in the studio & I stole the tapes. Our record company had said, ‘There’s no song here that will get radio play,’ & I was like ‘Bullshit, there is.’ So I stole the tapes from the record company, took it to the radio station, & they were playing our song (Black Emotion) while I was driving away. (laughs) & it turned out to be the number four requested song on the station that year. With no record out. & then Enigma finally put it out. They finally put it out, but it was too late. I had already done the damage by the time it came out.”

Neat, though I must disagree that this record is a mistake! Don’t take my word for it, though- here’s the info for 12”.

Cathedral of Tears- Cathedral of Tears 12”
1. Trap
2. A Situation Of…
3. Calm Storm
4. Black Emotion
5. Ballet
6. Whisper From The Deadland

*download it here*

11 Comments »

Calculated X- Some Change/No Change 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, american, Calculated X, darkwave, minimal synth, new wave, post-punk, US on September 20, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Last but not least, we have the second 12” by Calculated X- released in 1983. Taking over where their first 12” (uploaded here, for those who missed it) left off, there’s more of the same infectious new wave/post-punk grooves present here, with a slightly poppier edge. Let’s dive right into this one, shall we?

Calculated X- Some Change/No Change 12”
1. Some Change No Change
2. Cool The Water
3. You Will Know Us
4. Don’t Look At You

*download it here*

Don’t forget- there is a CD-reissue of all these tracks available on X-Tracked records. You can grab a copy here, which I highly recommend if you enjoy these two 12” records as much as I do! There’s a few bonus tracks and live cuts as an extra incentive, so be sure to nab it while the getting is good!

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Fatidic Seconde- Le Drakkar (Sidonie) 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, fatidic seconde, france, french, minimal synth, new wave, synth, synthpop on September 16, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Been dying to hear this one for quite some time, so a million thanks to bx59cppw for finally tracking it down. Killer French new wave hear, one of the best singles of the era, hailing from 1985. Both tracks are unstoppable, though the b-side has a more romantic edge.

The band released three more singles before disbanding in 1988. You can get the equally captivating Métropolis 7” over at Dreams and Voices. Without any further ado, here’s the info for this one:

Fatidic Seconde- Le Drakkar (Sidonie) 7”
1. Le Drakkar (Sidonie)
2. Le Chemin D’Un Rêve

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 6.3.13)

Still have tons of goodies coming up, so expect a flurry of posts over the next few days!

5 Comments »

Figures on a Beach- Swimming 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, figures on a beach, future bible heroes, new romantic, new wave, synth, synthpop on September 8, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s the debut 12” by new wave/new romantic band Figures on a Beach, released in 1983. A little more poppy than I usually go for, but there’s tons of great hooks and melodies here, especially in the title track.

The band formed in Michigan (relocating to Boston) and released three LPs and a handful of singles before splitting in 1991. Their tracks are generally cult staples of the era, and can still be heard in some clubs to date. After splitting, Chris Ewen went on to play with Stephin Merrit in the Future Bible Heroes project, a more new wave offshoot of The Magnetic Fields. Ewan provided the new wave/disco backdrop for the band.

Though I do enjoy the majority of the band’s discography (including the Don Was-produced track- “Breathless“), this 12” is by far my favorite. Here’s the information:

Figures on a Beach- Swimming 12”
1. Swimming
2. Feel Like Glass
3. Decay
4. Everything But Heaven

*download it here*

4 Comments »

Berenek- Sound of Danger LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, berenek, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, norweigan on July 26, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Gonna wrap up this month with two more posts in quick succession today, so bear with me, ladies and gentlemen. I’ll be touring with Mark Burgess of the Chameleons UK over the course of a few east coast, so Systems of Romance will be dormant until mid-august. Consider these three posts a series of cold treats for the upcoming August heat wave.

Up first we have the coveted full length record by Berenek, a Norweigan based minimal synth project helmed by Espen Beranek Holm, also known locally for his weekly radio program.

I haven’t heard Berenek’s many releases throughout the 1980s, but this first record, released in 1981, is a gem for sure, and fetches some insane prices on the internet. You may have seen it over at Mutant Sounds, but I’ve supplied a higher quality/bit rip, fresh from the wax. Expect some killer minimal synth grooves and alienating electronics. You can also catch a remastered version of “Pictures and Paintings” on the Maskindans compilation, a must-hear for any fan of minimal synth and obscure new wave. Here’s the info.

Berenek- Sound of Danger LP
1. Sound Of Danger
2. Pictures And Paintings
3. Crystal Dream
4. How Could We Simply Die
5. Search
6. So Many Things
7. Doorway
8. A Prisoner In A Silent Way
9. Can’t Go To Sleep

*DOWNLOAD LINK REMOVED* – purchase the reissue via Dark Entries Records!

7 Comments »

Richard Bone- The Real Swing 12”

Posted in 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, ambient, currently active, disco, experimental, new wave, richard bone, shox lumania, synthpop on July 20, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a classic early Richard Bone 12” for your listening pleasure. Born in 1952, Bone is considered an influential figure in the New York music scene in the early 1980s, a huge pioneer of electronic music. He began exploring the early art of the synthesizer, driven by the works of Brian Eno and Harold Budd, before moving into more poppier territory. He was also a member of experimental electronic band Shox Lumania in 1981.

A good portion of Richard’s early singles were on Survival Records, the same label that brought you Drinking Electricty, Faith Global, Hard Corps, and Play, to name a few.

Though he ceased to make pop records as of the 1990s, he still creates ambient music to this day. This particular 12” hails from 1984, just a few years into his solo career. Here’s the information.

Richard Bone- The Real Swing 12”
1. The Real Swing (Extended 12″ Re-Mix)
2. The Real Swing (7″ Edit)
3. Heartache History

*download it here*

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Pretty Poison- Laced 12” & Expiration 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, freestyle, new wave, pretty poison, synthpop on July 11, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a pair of early releases by Philadelphia-based new wave band Pretty Poison. Many of you folks may remember this band from the freestyle hit “Catch Me I’m Falling,” but their earlier, less successful releases had a far darker edge, from the gloomy, yet danceable music to the stark black covers featuring gothic imagery. Though these tracks became minor college radio singles, it would take four years and a stylistic re-invention for the band to take off.

This pair of releases dropped in 1983. Dying to hear one of their first releases, a 1982 flexi cover of Tuxedomoon’s “No Tears.” If anyone has that one kicking around, please pass it our way! Otherwise, here’s the information for these two releases.

Pretty Poison- Laced 12”
1. Seal It With a Kiss
2. Let Freedom Ring
3. Expiration
4. Tempest Nightmare

Pretty Poison- Expiration 7”
1. Expiration
2. The Realm of Existence

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED @ 320kbps on 2.15.17)

For curious parties, the two versions of “Expiration” here are completely different. The band would go on to re-record “Let Freedom Ring” for their first full length record in 1987, with a far glossier edge.

4 Comments »

Indochine- L’Aventurier MLP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, currently active, french, Indochine, minimal synth, new wave on July 2, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s something a little more fun and bright for your summer weekend. Here we have the first major release by French new wave connoisseurs Indochine, released in 1982. Bright rhythms, pulsing synths, and shameless hooks to be found on each of these seven tracks.

The Indochine story began in 1981, but the band is still going strong to date, though only one original member remains in the band. According to a few sources, Indochine are the top selling band in France, and earned quite a cult following throughout Europe and Latin America. Unfortunately, like most non-English speaking bands, their music failed to find a proper audience in the US, despite fitting into the musical climate at the time. Well, let’s see if we can’t help turn a few heads around these parts, eh? Here’s the info for this killer debut 12”.

Indochine- L’Aventurier MLP
1. L’Aventurier
2. L’Opportuniste
3. Leila
4. Docteur Love
5. Indochine (Les 7 Jours De Pékin)
6. Dizzidence Politik
7. Françoise (Qu’est-ce qui t’as pris?)

*download it here*

Been ages since we had a video, but thanks to this band’s relative success, here’s the promo clip for the title track!

3 Comments »

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