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Decades- Just Another Dream & Hell 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1982, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk, uk on March 28, 2018 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a mysterious pair of 7” singles from UK-based post-punk/minimal synth band Decades. Not to be confused with the French band of the same name (though these singles were pressed in France), this particular project released only two 7”s in the early 1980s on the equally unknown Emperor label.

All four tracks feature glacial drum machine rhythms (most likely DR-55), deep bass, eerie synth lines, and hypnotically stark guitar. The vocals float on top, adding a sense of dread to an already gloomy cocktail. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but an amazing listen that calls The Cure’s incredible Carnage Visors soundtrack to mind.

Since I can’t seem to find much else to share, let’s let the music speak for itself. That said, there HAVE been a few copies of these extremely scarce singles being leaked out on discogs, so you know what to do if you want one of these for yourself at a reasonable price (for now)… Otherwise, here’s the info:

Decades- Just Another Dream 7” (1981)
1. Just Another Dream
2. China Doll

Decades- Hell 7” (1982)
1. Hell
2. Enderlein

*download both here*

3 Comments »

The Blush- A Look From Outside 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, post-punk, the blush, uk on January 9, 2018 by Frankie Teardrop

No matter how much I try, I keep coming back to that early 1980s post-punk sound time and time again. Icy string synths, detached vocals, heavy driving bass, and razor sharp guitars. Nothing piques my interest more than those early Factory/4AD vibes.

With that in mind, this particular 7” falls well within that category. This is the lone release by UK band The Blush, who self-released this 7” in 1982. The lineup on the back of the sleeve lists five members – two guitars, bass, drums, and of course, synths. According to another blog, there may be some Associates connections, though it’s hard to tell if the original lineup changed or adopted pseudonyms before this single was recorded. Even without confirmation, this single should definitely please fans of early Associates material, as well as bands like The Names, Acute Logic, etc. Especially love the thick bass! Both sides of the single are incredible, but the catharsis on the second song is fantastic.

The Blush- A Look From Inside 7”
1. A Look From Inside
2. Skipping

*download it here*

 

5 Comments »

Various Artists- Subtle Hints LP

Posted in 1980s, 1983, minimal, minimal synth, post-punk, subtle hints, uk on September 14, 2017 by Frankie Teardrop

This one was already featured on Mutant Sounds forever ago, but it’s due time for a new rip and a new light to shine on this excellent electronic compilation from 1983. It’s gotten quite rare and pricey over the years, but remains a legendary entry into the UK’s minimal electronics and post-punk underground. Legend has it that most of these tracks were demos, and with a handful of exceptions (Art Interface, My Pierrot Dolls, a reissue of Chain of Command, and rare 7”s by Ad Astra and Picture Book), this compilation features their only released tracks.

I’d like to thank Thomas for his time and effort in providing the amazing rip here, and thanks as well to all the folks I was in touch with who offered to rip this one as well to put it back into the world. This one is for you guys, from you guys <3.

Various Artists- Subtle Hints LP
1. Always There- Squid Diddley
2. Some Aspects- Chain Of Command
3. Always Tomorrow’s Rain- Mon Amour
4. My Pierrot Dolls- My Pierrot Dolls
5. Hidden Pleasure
6. Witchcraft- This Side Of Paradise
7. A&R- Ad Astra
8. Statue of the Night- Time Statues
9. Success- Picture Book
10. If It Happened to You- Ind-X
11- Pseudo Rich- Synchronization
12. Follow Careers in Modern Love- New Vices For The Jaded
13. Beneath the Calm- Art Interface
14. Picture In Oils- My Pierrot Dolls

*download it here*

9 Comments »

Hambi & the Dance- Heartache LP + 25 Tears a Day 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, 1984, new romantic, new wave, uk on August 17, 2017 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s one for the new romantics in the house!

I originally picked this up a while ago at the urging of a friend, but kept it on the shelf for many years. Not sure why, but I reckon some of you can relate. I recently dropped the needle and was surprised by a rather catchy pop record from 1982 that especially calls early Talk Talk to mind, with plenty of guitars for good measure. There’s a few other touchstones here, perhaps some bigger and more stadium-oriented Gene Loves Jezebel singles, mid-era Modern English, the pop perfection of The Outfield (hush, they’re great), and there’s even one track that kind of hints at a Modern Eon/Opposition sort of melancholy in the verses (#4), but it’s not terribly obvious. The final track in particular is a stunner, but I dig everything on this record from start to finish, so long as you guys can hang with something a little bigger and brighter than some of the other gems featured here.

This is the only LP from Hambi & the Dance, though a handful of singles were pulled from the record. Two singles followed, the former exclusive and the latter pulled from a second LP, which was released just as Hambi. There were quite a few big names involved in this project over the years, including ex-Adam & the Ants drummer Chris Hughes, second Frankie Goes to Hollywood vocalist Paul Rutherford, and even the Mission/Sisters of Mercy’s own Wayne Hussey (who must have been an early member, as there aren’t any credits I can find on their recorded output). Vocalist Hambi Haralambous previously worked with other members of this band in Tontrix, also notable for featuring a pre-Flock of Seagull’s Mike Score.

EDIT: Thanks to Jeffo! for sending over a rip of the exclusive 12” from 1984 as well! This one is a little more club-centric, but should also hit the spot. Without any further ado:

Hambi & the Dance- Heartache LP
1. Time After Time 4:01
2. Living In A Heartache 3:22
3. Madelaine 4:05
4. L’Image Craque 4:31
5. Spirits 4:31
6. The World 3:23
7. Dancing Inside You 4:08
8. Major Major 3:30
9. Too Late To Fly The Flag 3:30
10. Standing In The Rain

Hambi & the Dance- 25 Tears a Day 12”
1. 25 Tears a Day
2. 25 Tears a Day (Pink Version)
3. Taking My Life In Strides

*download both here*

4 Comments »

Bikini Atoll- 7” discography

Posted in 1980s, 1981, 1982, british, new wave, post-punk, uk on March 10, 2017 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s the full 7” discography by UK wave/post-punk band Bikini Atoll, who takes their name from a nuclear testing site in the Marshall Islands, located in the deep Pacific Ocean territory. As for the music, you can expect a mix of gloomy and jerky melodies, stellar female vox, icy synths, and a solid discography across these six tracks. If you dig things like Altered Images, Au Pairs, The Limp, Industrie etc. this is definitely the band for you.

Sadly, I don’t know much about them, though it appears that their lineup changed between the first and second single, mostly swapping their rhythm section. The first of the three is my least favorite (though not at all bad) so this might very well explain the jump in quality with a quick personnel shift. With that in mind, here’s the info for these killer singles:

Bikini Atoll- Don’t Reduce My Heart (To Beating Meat) 7” (1981)
1. Don’t Reduce My Heart (To Beating Meat)
2. Lucy In Furs (Laissez Faire De Lucifer)

Bikini Atoll- The Wall 7” (1981)
1. The Wall
2. Russian Doll

Bikini Atoll- Tribal Radio 7” (1982)
1. Tribal Radio
2. Splinter

*download all three here*

3 Comments »

The Archaic Smile- Last Words 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1981, post-punk, the archaic smile, uk on December 1, 2016 by Frankie Teardrop

Sorry for the delay, y’all. I have  few things ripped to wrap up the year, so I hope to trickle out a few more posts before 2016 comes and goes. First up, here’s an excellent two-track 7” from 1981. In true DIY fashion, this is The Archaic Smile’s only release, on an unheard of label featuring a two tone paper sleeve. Sadly, there’s not much I can tell you about the band itself, outside of a probable origin in Yorkshire, Englad, so we’ll have to let the music stand for itself.

With that in mind, I don’t care too much for the A-side, a spastic number that seems more influenced by the likes of XTC and early Elvis Costello. It’s sufficiently springy and energetic, and thus, your mileage may vary on this. The real winner here is the B-side, a heavier, darker, and more driving affair that seems more inspired by Bauhaus and Joy Division, as if the band was aiming to wrap up the two polar post-punk extremes into one compact single. If that was the intention, it definitely succeeds! The single reminds me quite a bit of the Pop Stress single overall- especially the dynamic between sides as well as the sonic textures explored on each.

On that note, here’s the details:

The Archaic Smile- Last Words 7”
1. Last Words
2. Never Spoken

*download it here*

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Nick Haward- Grey Day 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1983, minimal synth, new wave, uk on August 18, 2016 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s an incredibly rare UK-released 7” from 1983, chock full that DIY minimal synth/post-punk vibe we all know and love. You may recall the A-side from the most recent SOR compilations, but until now I haven’t seen the flip floating around anywhere. The A-side is a bona fide classic, with solid baritone vocals, a catchy chorus, and cold synths galore. Even the uncharacteristic guitar solo is a welcome slice of heaven. The flip is more of the same, similar vibes all around.

I wish I could tell you more about this single, but this is all that Nick Haward ever recorded, and the only release on Cradle Music Incorporated. If you dug the Ahab single, Five or Six’s “Another Reason,” and some of the catchier Eyeless in Gaza singles, this one will definitely make your ears happy. Enjoy!

Nick Haward- Grey Day 7”
1. Grey Day
2. Watching Through My Window

*download it here*

1 Comment »

Cassell Webb- Llano LP/CD

Posted in 1980s, 1986, adrian borland, cassell webb, ethereal, the sound, uk on June 14, 2016 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve had this LP for YEARS- picked it up on a whim when I was carpet bombing Academy Records’ old Williamsburg location every other week. I recall liking it ok, but it took until yet another vinyl purge to rediscover it and finally appreciate it. Better late than never, I suppose!

Anecdotes aside, this is the first LP from Cassell Webb, released in 1986 on both New Rose and Statik Records, respectively. The sounds here are definitely moody and ethereal, quite delicate in some spots, but also not without its post-punk charms. Upon re-listening, I found touches of Fleetwood Mac and Area to be found throughout. Most notably for some readers, this record was a collaboration with Adrian Borland of The Sound, complete with guitar work, backing vocals, and even a cover of “Total Recall” from Heads and Hearts. Pretty cool!

Unlike most of the records featured here, this album was released on CD in 1988, which is the version I’ve uploaded here. That said, I much prefer the spacious LP cover… Either way you slice it, hope you folks enjoy!

Cassell Webb- Llano LP/CD
1. Llano
2. Voices to Rivers
3. In Arcadia
4. Every Time I Get Around You
5. Total Recall
6. Gypsy Solitaire
7. Wandering Ones
8. When the Rain Stops Falling

*download it here*

5 Comments »

Glass Lady – Glass Lady 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1985, italo, italo disco, synth, synthpop, uk on January 6, 2016 by Frankie Teardrop

By popular request, and with love from Nick at Crispy Nuggets (who hunted this one down, dropped the needle, and passed it over for a quick cleanup), we have a new and updated rip of the elusive Glass Lady 7” by UK based musician and producer Marty Flynn. This track was one of the highlights of the previous SOR comps, even at 128kbps, and I’ve been dying to share it in full high quality, even if the flip is a six minute spaced-out dub mix that pales in comparison to the gloriously Italo-esque, sleazy mid-tempo synth jam that adorns the A-side. Just take a look at the cover- you know right away what you’re in for, and it delivers, in spades.

Like the amazing Tocatta 7” (re-ripped recently for those who don’t follow SOR on Facebook), Nick and I first heard this track in the back of Sean/Martial Canterel’s car, played off a well-loved cassette sent by a fellow friend and collector. We’ve been obsessed with both tracks since and have spent years tracking these singles down. All things in due time, I suppose!

As for the details, there’s very little out there to report. According to the sleeve, Glass Lady was the working name for Marty Flynn, based in the UK. The record was made in Jersey and released in 1985, most likely in extremely limited quantities. Happy hunting and happy new year. y’all!

Marty Flynn- Glass Lady 7”
1. Glass Lady
2. Glass Lady (Dub)

*download it here*

15 Comments »

Breathless- Waterland 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, breathless, dreampop, post-punk, uk on October 9, 2015 by Frankie Teardrop

We’ve discussed UK post-punk band Breathless here before in the past, and I can’t overstate their importance enough. They are, by and far, one of my all-time favorite bands- such beauty, brilliant songs, and one of the best male vocalists of all time. Also, unlike most of our artists here, they are still active, releasing the incredible Green to Blue LP in 2012.

Most of their catalog has since been reissued digitally for download/streaming. That said, a few of their earliest singles have yet to be compiled, perhaps a tape sourcing issue or oversight. Most absent from their digital catalog (outside of the cathartic “Bad Blood”) is their debut 7”, Waterland from 1984. With that in mind, I’ve finally picked up a copy and made a passable rip for you all to enjoy. A few words of warning- the pressing on this 7” was a bit dodgy, but a little cleanup went a long way with this one. More importantly, while the ingredients that make them such a compelling band are still on display here, these two tracks are more primitive- darker, heavier, much more intense than some of the material that would follow. There is heavy dub-inspired bass and buzzy synths on the excellent “Second Heaven”- the real standout for me on this single, though the powerful ending of “Waterland” is nothing to shake a stick at either. Either way, perfect sounds to kick off your Autumn. Enjoy!

Breathless- Waterland 7”
1. Waterland
2. Second Heaven

*download it here*

PS- be sure to check out the lyrics for these tracks on the Tenor Vossa website!

4 Comments »

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