Archive for the new wave Category

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Berlin Blondes- Berlin Blondes LP

Posted in 1980, 1980s, berlin blondes, new wave, scottish, synth on June 27, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

This week, I’ll be posting a handful of records donated by a kind reader of this blog, who loaned me a few pieces from his prized collection. Thanks, Greg!

First up we have a record that’s been posted and ripped in the past, but always at a low bitrate or quality. So pardon the redundancy, but here it is in high quality, 320 kbps form. This particular LP hails from Scotland and was released on EMI in 1980. This band was notoriously the launching pad for David Rudden, who left just as the band was getting signed to form Endgames. Jim Spender also would go on to join Altered Images after this LP while the remaining members would release one more 7” before disbanding.

The LP was produced by Mike Thorne, who should need no introduction for fans of early Wire, Soft Cell, Bronski Beat, Furniture, Blur, and B-Movie, just to name a few. Quite an impressive resume!

Continuing with the name-dropping, this record should feel right at home for fans of Foxx-era Ultravox, Visage, Gary Numan, and the Bowie/Iggy sound. A little bit of tarted up synth-driven rock very suited for the era, and perhaps a little pastiche at the turn of the decade, but still a cool record worthy of being unearthed. Here’s the info:

Berlin Blondes- Berlin Blondes LP
1. Framework
2. Astro
3. Science
4. Romance
5. Trail To Istanbul
6. Secret Days
7. Mannequinn
8. Neon Probe
9. Zero Song

*download it here*

Stay tuned for more from Greg’s collection, including a rare, private tape release!

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Kissing the Pink- Watching Their Eyes & The Last Film 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 1983, kissing the pink, new wave, synth, uk synthpop on June 23, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Merely uploading this one for a few friends who inquired at the Wierd party last night, when none other than the inimitable Sean McBride (aka Martial Canterel) dropped it during his set. Here we have the seminal Kissing the Pink track “The Last Film,” a haunting military-driven tune that cracked the top 20 during the band’s earlier years. It appears here in club form, and I believe this version, while stellar, has not been featured around these parts.

The single can still be had for an affordable price- in fact I’ve seen a handful of copies kicking around NYC for any interested and local parties!

As an added bonus, I’ve also uploaded the Watching Their Eyes 12”, my personal favorite track of the band’s, which features an alternate club mix and an exclusive longer mix of the b-side. Here’s the contents:

Kissing the Pink- Watching Their Eyes 12” (1982)
1. Watching Their Eyes (Club Mix)
2. In Awe of Industry

Kissing the Pink- The Last Film 12” (1983)
1. The Last Film (Extended Version)
2. Shine
3. The Last Film (The Hymn Version)

*download both here* (RE-RIPPED 10.9.17)

In case you missed it, the link for Naked should still be up and running from way back in the archives. Don’t hesitate to check out one of the most innovative new wave records this side of the commercial spectrum! Stay tuned for more goodies next week, as I’ve got a bunch of ripping to attend to this weekend.

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Samedi- Between Two Hearts 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1987, new wave, Samedi, swedish, synthpop on June 22, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

I’m pleased to offer the first Samedi 7”, a true Swedish synth masterpiece. You may have heard the a-side on the Retronics compilation, chock full of similar gems. I also posted their 1989 full length almost two years ago. However, the b-side to this 7” has remained unheard until now, and is a nice, short and energetic synthpop track that should please quite a few ears.

Without any further ado, here’s the info:

Samedi- Between Two Hearts 7”
1. Between Two Hearts
2. World

*download it here*

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Opéra De Nuit- Opéra De Nuit LP (Revisited)

Posted in 1988, coldwave, french, goth-rock, minimal synth, new wave, opera de nuit, synth on June 2, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Another “looking back” entry. Re-ripped and cleaned up this particular French gem as well, vastly improved sound quality and fidelity to be found within! A few clicks and pops of course, but shouldn’t be too distracting and should serve as a definite improvement over the previous versions.

What else can I say about this record that hasn’t already been said before? Absolute masterpiece, every track here is a winner. I might go so far as to say it’s my favorite French LP, which is an awfully bold statement for a blog originally focused on the coldwave/touching pop movement.

I also have a copy of the scarce Amour Noir 12” coming in the mail, so if that copy sounds better than the previous upload, you can expect the same treatment to follow. In case you missed it the first time around, you can read more about the band here. Don’t let this one pass by!

Opéra De Nuit- Opéra De Nuit LP
1. Boris Transylvania Camp
2. L’appel du Froid
3. Larmes de Sang
4. Annabella
5. Invitation
5. Jeu Damné
6. Rebelle-Rebelle
7. Ami Amant

*download it here*

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Classified Info- Drug Called Love 7”

Posted in 1984, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, synth, synthpop, uk on May 31, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a quirky little minimal synth/new wave gem from the UK, released in 1984. Reminiscent of Home Service/Tone Set. Virtually no information available, as even the label seems off the radar. So, with that in mind we’ll keep this one short and sweet! Here’s the details:

Classified Info- Drug Called Love 7”
1. Drug Called Love
2. Drug Called Love Dub

*download it here*

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Neuer Frühling- Abendlos 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, austrian, minimal, minimal synth, NDW, new wave, post-punk on May 17, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a minimal synth/NDW hybrid 7” from 1982. Nothing out of the ordinary for the genre, but two very good tracks indeed. The guitar driven a-side is the clear winner for me, while the b-side has a bit of a reggae feel to it.

This particular 7” was released on CBS Records (a surprising choice for a major label), and is the product of two Austrian musicians. Drummer Gerhart Walenta was also involved in an Austrian psych/prog band called Paternoster, who released one record in 1972.

Here’s the info:

Neuer Frühling- Abendlos 7”
1. Abendlos
2. Liebesversuch

*download it here*

For those who prefer to own an original copy of this record, you can easily score one on the web for a reasonable price, if you know where to look. Get it while the getting is good!

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Absolute- Demo K7

Posted in 1980s, absolute, demo, minimal synth, new wave, reset records, synth, synthpop on May 9, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s an extra special rarity in demo form. Here we have a series of cassette demos recorded by Absolute, known for their handful of tracks on Vince Clarke and Eric Radcliffe. You can hear their officially released tracks over yonder, as part of the Reset Records collection that has been unofficially compiled. A handful of those Reset Records tracks appear here in demo form, so it’s interesting to see how they differ from their studio counterparts. I’m also quite fond of the exclusive tracks here, especially “Take Her Away,” a killer synthpop gem that should feel right at home for fans of mid-period Depeche Mode.

That said, I still can’t seem to find much in the way of information about Absolute (aside from a little connection to the great John Fryer, who produced their second 7”), but someone uploaded what seems to be a promotional photo of the band on discogs. If the above image is correct, that might shed a skint of light on the subject. If there’s anyone out there that can chime in with more, please don’t hesitate! Otherwise, here’s the info:

Absolute- Demo K7
1. Take Her Away
2. Can’t You See
3. Does Anybody Want Me
4. T.V. Glare
5. Love In My Heart
6. Friend or Enemy
7. Club Boys
8. Only Time Can Tell
9. Doofa on 45
10. Merry Go Doofa

*download it here*

14 Comments »

Berlin- The Metro 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, berlin, LA, los angeles, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, synthpop, US on May 3, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Stick with me on this one folks. Any fan of new wave should already be familiar with Berlin, the Los Angeles based band led by Terri Nun and John Crawford. If you are unfamiliar with the band, please direct your attention here. While it’s their later ballads and more commercial wave tracks that seem to be remembered, it’s prudent to note that the band’s first few releases were fantastic and rare entries to the US minimal synth scene. Information, the band’s first LP, was the closest thing to Ultravox in the west coast scene, while songs like “The Metro” and “Sex (I’m A)” from 1982’s Pleasure Victim were fast paced, sexually driven synth tracks that still remain classics to date. It’s the kind of sound also explored on the SSQ LP, another personal favorite female-led new wave smash. Fun fact: Both Berlin and Q/SSQ shared labels throughout their tenure, and Jon St. James of the latter outfit is credited as an engineer for Berlin’s Pleasure Victim LP. Incestuous!

I had originally purchased this 1981 issue of The Metro to DJ, not just for the foxy picture of Terri Nun on the back, but also figuring it’s far easier to pack a 7” than a 12”. When it comes to wax, real estate is key, so it just made sense to purchase, spatially. Just yesterday, I needed a fix for “Tell Me Why” and went for Youtube, only to be presented with a much more raw and driving mix than I remembered. Lo and behold, it’s the same version on this 7”, released a year before the EP cut! A little bit of research quickly told me that this Berlin single I purchased ages ago was actually quite the rarity in their catalog, as both tracks appear in an earlier form. The differences are most notable in “Tell Me Why,” though “The Metro” also features a different intro and what seems to be a different drum track. Either way, I’m happy to include this single here, and hope you kids enjoy it!

Berlin- The Metro 7”
1. The Metro
2. Tell Me Why

*download it here* (re-ripped 5.30.13)

Also, for those who want to try to own this obscurity, there are currently a few copies for sale via discogs. Buyer beware, wink wink!

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Popular Science- Out of This World 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, minimal, minimal synth, new wave, popular science, US on April 26, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a 7” I scored in a local dollar bin, hidden among a series of lesser singles. This record hails from the US, was released in 1983, and features a minimal synth sound combined with the male/female vocal melodies of X. A curious, but successful blend, especially on the A-side.

While I was able to track down the cover via Ebay, my particular copy of this single came without. Just an unassuming paper sleeve with the record tucked neatly inside, nothing to catch the eye and hint at the gem inside. Sometimes, these are the best treasures to be found…

There seems to be a full length LP from the band, released in 1981. I’m not sure it’s the same band, since I haven’t had the chance to check it out yet, though the time period and country seem suspect. You can check it out here or here. However, while it seems likely that it’s the same band, I’m still not convinced. All signs point to Austin, TX for this 7”, while the LP was recorded in Rosendale, NY (not too far from where I grew up). If anyone can shed some light on this one, please do! Otherwise, enjoy!

Popular Science- Out of This World 7”
1. Out of This World
2. When Science Came To Town

*download it here*

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Wet- That’s The Game (Continental Megamix) 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, Belgian, buzz records, new wave, synthpop, wet on April 21, 2011 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a killer 12” I picked up in Chicago this past weekend. Shameless synthpop grooves ripe for the dancefloor here- three versions of the same track. The A-side is the club favorite, though those inclined towards instrumental mixes will find two on the flip.

This particular 12” dates back to 1984 (the original version of the track from 1983), and is the first of three from this Belgian duo. Jan Van Den Bergh would achieve success as a major techno/house mixer, as well as the head of the highly influential Buzz label, a mysterious label who released several groundbreaking Detroit techno records in an overseas market.

This particular track should feel right at home for fans of Few Boys, Nightmoves, and any darker tinged italo (Amin-Peck/Fockewolf 190 etc.) Here’s the information:

Wet- That’s The Game (Continental Mega Mix) 12”
1. That’s The Game (Continental Mega Mix)
2. That’s The Game (Instrumental)
3. That’s The Game (Instrumental)

*download it here*

There’s also a 7 minute version of the track kicking around on a 12”, released around the same time. The b-side is the same (though the original 12” lists the second instrumental here as the “Dynamic Mix”), while the a-side appears in its original, non-remixed form. I believe that version has been uploaded here, so check it if you want the complete experience!

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