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Man Klan- Flesh Machine LP

Posted in 1980s, 1987, goth-rock, man klan, new wave, post-punk, swedish on June 1, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Second on the slab we have Man Klan’s lone LP, released in 1987. Can’t seem to find much about these guys either, and their entire discography consists of two 12” releases in 1985, this LP, and a 12” single for “Wanting & Waiting.” I believe the band was Swedish, though this particular LP was released on a UK label and features vocals in English. Pretty fluent, to boot!

Some great female fronted gothic grooves on here, sort of reminiscent of Concrete Blonde, (Devils era) X-Mal Deustchland, or Missing Persons, with sexually ambiguous lyrics. Striking similarities to mid-period Siouxsie as well, though track six is not a cover of the Banshees hit.

Man Klan- Flesh Machine LP
1. Wanting & Waiting
2. Everytime
3. Love For Pleasure
4. No Time For Mercy
5. Redheads
6. Candyman
7. Getting Closer
8. Fisherman
9. Flesh Machine
10. Love Child

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 4/2/22)

Up next: the highly coveted debut LP from Sanity Plexus! Just got a fresh copy in the mail!

4 Comments »

Ann Summer- Baby Doll – Play Suite K7

Posted in 1980s, 1985, ann summer, experimental, minimal synth, neukoln records, swedish on February 17, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s something from the other side of the K7 spectrum. Whereas my last post featured a rare post-punk/gothic cassette, this one contains a more experimental/minimal release from Ann Summer, a Swedish two piece.

The release contains several short bursts of experimental synths and cold, gloomy vocals, ending with the catchiest and longest of the lot. Definitely an out there release, but the final track does make for some great dance floor electronics. An interesting tidbit: this cassette was released in 1985 by Neuköln Records, the Swedish label also responsible for the majority of 18:e Oktober’s releases, as well as a pair by Glenn Winter. Both bands are like-minded peers to Ann Summer, combining experimental rhythms with catchy electronics.

With that in mind, here’s the info:

Ann Summer- Baby Doll – Play Suit K7
1. Ann Summer I
2. Gordisk Knut
3. Delirium
4. Ann Summer II
5. Hemisfären (Endymion)
6. Plastisk Population
7. Ann Summer III

*download it here*

1 Comment »

Lars Falk- Solo Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 1985, 1988, coldwave, lars falk, minimal synth, swedish, synth, synthpop, twice a man on February 3, 2010 by Frankie Teardrop

Readers of this blog might have noticed several posts featuring Twice a Man, the Swedish synth group still active to date. Not only is the duo’s expansive discography rather solid (and rather genre hopping) from start to finish, one time contributor Lars Falk’s solo discography is just as captivating.

While Lars Falk was only a contributing member to Twice a Man, his three solo releases prove he’s an equally driving force in the Swedish wave scene. A great mix of gloomy synths, icy vocals, and jagged guitars calls both John Foxx and Fad Gadget to mind. Tracks such as “Hello Hello” and “See My Friend Fall” are dj staple around these parts, while the latter also been featured on the fantastic Retronics compilation, which collects several other Swedish acts including Lustans Lakejer, Samedi, and of course, Twice a Man.

That all said, here’s Lars Falk’s three solo releases, all wrapped up for your listening pleasure.

Lars Falk- Through K7 (1983)
1. Let Tomorrow Take Over
2. Hello Hello
3. Rainy Days
4. In The City
5. Through
6. Smell Of Chaos

Lars Falk- TV Eye 7” (1985)
1. TV Eye
2. Doors

Lars Falk- Lars Falk LP (1988)
1. In The Night
2. Kings And Queens
3. Nothing Is The Same
4. Painting Pictures
5. Elmer
6. Dum Dum Boy
7. See My Friend Fall
8. It’s Here Again

*download all three here*

5 Comments »

Twice a Man- Works on Yellow CD

Posted in 1980s, 1986, 1990s, 2000s, swedish, synth, synthpop, twice a man, wave on November 10, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Yet another icy piece of Swedish minimal/coldwave for you, as this post features another solid Twice a Man record. We’ve already covered this glorious band several times over, so click here and here for more info and music. Otherwise, this particular LP sees the band experimenting with more atmospheric and ambient textures, all while keeping their signature synth-perfection intact. This particular record also features “Girl,” one of the band’s best known tunes, also featured on the Retronics compilation. Get that here, if you’re in need.

The LP was released in 1986, and was re-released on CD in 1993 with an extra bonus track added. This is the version uploaded below. Here’s the info:

Twice a Man- Works On Yellow CD
1. Brave New World
2. Happy Life
3. Lapwing Territory
4. Girl
5. Back On Venus
6. Left
7. Backward Mode
8. Time
9. Africa

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Samedi- Doubts & Beliefs LP

Posted in 1980s, 1989, new wave, Samedi, swedish, synthpop on July 21, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Samedi were a synthpop band hailing from Sweden. I first discovered their classic track “Between Two Hearts” on the fantastic Retronics compilation, which collects several of their peers. Whereas other Swedish synthpop bands like the Mobile Homes earned some cult success in the States, Samedi wasn’t able to achieve the same success despite a similar sound. Otherwise, the band formed in 1983 as a four piece, and fluxuated between three and four members throughout the course of the 1980s.

The band’s discography consists of three 7” singles and one full length record. All of their releases were pressed via Canned Music, the band’s own label. After calling it a day in 1990, members of Samedi focused their efforts on manning a recording studio, producing, writing, and engineering several more Italo-tinged bands over the years. Check their discogs page for some of the tracks the band worked on.

Without any further ado, here’s the information for their 1989 full length, Doubts & Beliefs.

Samedi- Doubts & Beliefs LP
1. Big
2. In Our Time
3. Above Me
4. Strangers In The Night
5. Say Say Goodbye
6. Winter’s Coming To Town
7. Touch
8. Give Me All
9. Oh Mother Earth
10. I’ll Fly
11. Lay Down Your Head
12. Open Up (Long Dist Dance Mix)

*download it here*

The band do keep an official myspace page here. Upon getting in touch, the band said they are working towards remastering and re-releasing the now out-of-print Samedi material for a possible reissue. If you dig this record, show yr support and encourage the process! Naturally, this post will self destruct when that happens.

Meanwhile, still been meaning to get started on the ol’ 8 tracks account, but in the interim, take a peek at this particular audio/Youtube track to take a listen to “Between Two Hearts” (not featured on this LP, mind you).

7 Comments »

Lustans Lakejer- Uppdrag i Genève LP

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1990s, 2000s, lustans lakejer, new wave, reunited, swedish, synth on June 26, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Lustans Lakejer (aka Lustavision and Vanity Fair) were a Swedish new wave band originally formed in 1978 with a punk informed approach, not unlike the likes of Magazine and Ultravox. The band issued several 7 and 12” singles and a debut record before releasing today’s download, Uppdrag i Genève in 1981. At that point, the synthesizer became a main component of the band’s sound.

After a handful of following releases and lineup shifts, the band split in 1986. Reissues of the band’s catalog, expanded with bonus tracks and expanded booklets, followed. The band reunited in 1999 for a festival appearance. Another record followed and the band is currently active as both a recording and touring entity to date.

The CD reissue of Uppdrag i Genève is available for purchase via http://www.hotstuff.se/, for a pretty reasonable price. The record includes five extra bonus tracks, including a 7” and live tracks. Since the record is still available for those willing to import it, I’ve only uploaded the main program for listening purposes. Give it a spin, and if you dig it, be sure to pick up the CD. Here’s the info:

Lustans Lakejer- Uppdrag i Genève LP
1. Rendez-Vous I Rio
2. En Lång Natts Färd Mot Dag
3. Sista Tangon I Paris
4. Segerens Sötma
5. Stilla Nätter
6. Man Lever Bara Två Gånger
7. Män Av Skugga
8. Unga Moderna
9. Öppna Städer
10. Paradisets Portar

*download it here*

For more information about Lustans Lakejer, check out the band’s official myspace page, run by singer Johan Kinde.

Lustans Lakejer on Myspace

1 Comment »

Twice a Man- Music For Girls LP

Posted in 1980s, 1982, currently active, minimal, minimal synth, swedish, synthpop, twice a man on April 8, 2009 by Frankie Teardrop

Ages ago, I uploaded Swedish minimal synth duo Twice a Man’s first 12”, one of the best releases of its time. Without repeating any information, click here for the original post, chock full of info and links to keep on Twice a Man’s current output.

Meanwhile, here’s the information for their debut full length, 1982’s Music For Girls, which though released on CD in 1994, remains curiously out of print to date.

Twice a Man- Music For Girls LP
1. Move
2. Breathe The Air
3. Boy
4. Battle
5. Russian Tractors
6. Decay
7. In My Mind
8. Dance
9. Gentlemen
10. Threat

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Twice a Man- Observations From a Borderland 12”

Posted in 12'', 1980s, 1983, minimal, minimal synth, swedish, twice a man on July 26, 2007 by Frankie Teardrop

Twice a Man is a Swedish synth project, formed in 1981 as an offshoot of Cosmic Overdose. The band primarily consists of members Karl Gasleben and Dan Söderqvist (with early contributions by Lars Falk) and has remained intact over nearly three decades. While most of their contemporaries made an ephemeral splash, Twice a Man has remained together since their inception, continuously recording and releasing records, with plans to release their sixteenth full-length this year.

On top of their pioneering synth work, Twice a Man has also had their hands in seven theatre productions throughout Europe and have scored three films with a variety of collaborators. The band still gigs in Europe on occasion.

For the downloading, here’s Twice a Man’s first 12” single for ‘Observations from a Borderland’, released shortly after their debut record Music for Girls. The single dates back to 1983, and while the a-side features a more atmospheric approach, the second is a straight-up synth-pop gem: