Archive for the various artists Category

Various Artists- Systems of Romance Vol. 7 & 8

Posted in 1980s, coldwave, compilations, Intro, mélopée, New deutsche welle, new wave, post-punk, synth, synthpop, systems of romance, uk, various artists, Vibø, wave on September 1, 2015 by Frankie Teardrop

I’ve been talking a big game about this Various Artists compilation series for a long time. So many allusions to the next installment of loose tracks have been made over the past few years, always saying the same thing. Stay tuned, etc. Well, it just occurred to me that it’s been THREE (3) years since the last installment, which is just pathetic on my part. That said, in order to atone for these missed opportunities and empty promises, I’ve assembled not ONE, but TWO compilations, just like the old days. Some of these tracks were passed on by friends and allies of the blog, others by band members themselves, and as always, quite a few come from the record shelves. Little writeups to follow below, but for now, let’s get to the tracklisting, shall we?

sor7

Various Artists- Systems of Romance Vol. 7
1. Blood Brothers- Beyond The Nightmare
2. Unfamiliar Skies- Loveland
3. I Wish- The Name
4. 4711- New Holland
5. Glass Lady- Glass Lady
6. Lovers- Siam
7. Forever Till Never- When Kids Are Alone
8. Dancing On Your Own- Martin & Martin
9. Loss- Camouflage
10. Saison Fleurie- Cello
11. The Haunting Moon- Lyon in Winter
12. ふり返った男- Imitation Brain
13. Epics- Moravagine
14. Deutschland Brennt- D.U.R.
15. GG Man- Underjordiska Lyxorkestern
16. Pathetical Twat- Weaveworld
17. Ansassa- Tiistai
18. Symétrie (Live)- Pro Memoria
19. Zondagsplicht- Vibø
20. Pour Everyone- Irrelevant

sor8

Various Artists- Systems of Romance Vol. 8
1. The Tribute- Christophe Grelier
2. Sisters- Carter Burwell
3. Dancing to Kill- Almost Alone
4. Curtain of Love- Ce Soir
5. Ultraviolet- Fade to Black
6. L’Arbre- Mélopée
7. Frozen (Demo)- Yvonne
8. Uomini di Vetro- Sirtaki
9. Darkness- A Distant Echo
10. Clever Dancers- Paul Piacentini
11. Grey Day- Nick Haward
12. Nuclear Car- Chapter 13
13. Tornado- The Blue Law
14. In Your Window- Indians Fall In Love
15. Korea- European Toys
16. Grind- October Game
17. Stormy Weather- Systems of Romance
18. Apynee- Laughing Out Loud
19. Disunion- Baby Hotel Hunger
20. Is This the End?- Avo-8

*download both compilations here*

Vol. 7 credits:
1. French band, released in the mid 90s, early 2000s. Also known as Beyond the Nightmare About Claudia.
2. Rare compilation appearance from these US-based synthpop greats, responsible for this trashy 12”. This track was released in 1993 on the American Independence- The New York Underground compilation. They were never heard from again.
3. Another track with virtually no information to be found out in the ether. Welcoming any tips on this one!
4. Incredible post-punk with cold synths from the Netherlands. They have a wealth of unreleased material, all available on Youtube.
5. Sleazy italo disco vibes from the UK, This is their lone single, the flip being an instrumental dub version.
6. Not related to the Israeli band of the same name, but instead the second project from Jacqui Brookes, aka Shox and Intro, respectively. This is the b-side of their Catrix 7”, a much better song than the intended single.
7. The a-side from a killer post-punk/wave 7” from the US, released in 1985.
8. An old Wierd party favorite, donated by a friend some time ago. Has seen many a play on the NYC dancefloors, but I’ll be damned if I can tell you anything about this otherwise italo/synthpop smash.
9. Not related to the German synthpop titans, but instead the centerpiece of this Swedish wave band’s second record, released in 1986.
10. Neoclassical darkwave vibes from Portugal, released the mid-90s. This track hails from their third record.
11. Gloomy new wave track from a lone US 12”, released in 1986.
12. Japanese a-side, also from 1986.
13. Early Martial Canterel demo, recorded under the Moravagine alias and released on a 6 track cd-r of similarly early demos.
14. The A-side from a 1982 NDW single, released on Zenzor.
15. The standout track from this Swedish band’s lone LP from 1982. The rest of the album is a mixed bag of new wave/prog tracks, but this one is a cold gem.
16. Four piece UK band featuring frequent members and collaborators of The Chameleons, The Sun & The Moon, Black Swan Lane, etc. Features the same trademark sound as all three of these bands. Also appears in demo form under the name Music For Aborigines.
17. Standout track from this Finnish band’s debut LP, released in 1987.
18. Unreleased live track from this otherwise amazing French coldwave project, with heavy similarities to Cocteau Twins. Get their first demo tape here.
19. Unreleased demo track from these Belgian darkwave greats, whose 12” appears on these back pages as well.
20. Unreleased demo from Philippe Planchon’s post-Asylum Party project.

Vol. 8 credits:
1. Neoclassical track from the mid-90s, released on the Cantara I compilation. Christophe was mostly active in No Words.
2. Plucked from the Psycho 3 soundtrack and featuring Stanton Miranda, yet another killer collaboration between the pair that brought you Thick Pigeon and the killer Wheels Over Indian Trails 12” on Factory Benelux. This is Carter’s first soundtrack work, a world where he is still active today.
3. Unreleased demo from this UK synthpop duo.
4. Flip side from a Scandanavian synthpop single from 1983. This is the first of three singles by Ce Soir. The A-side is nice, but this is the real standout of the two.
5. Lone compilation appearance from these US goth greats. It’s by far my favorite track of theirs, with a menacing edge and a slightly questionable organ line. Released on an otherwise mixed bag compilation. Miller High Life wave?
6. Centerpiece of this French coldwave band’s CD release from 1995. Get their earlier material here.
7. Demo track from mid-90s Sweden.
8. I couldn’t tell you a thing about this one!
9. The only released track from this Belgian synth band, released on the Blitz Pop 2 compilation in 1983.
10. Standout from the 1985 Out of the Box LP, recorded in one continuous take. Another Wierd party favorite.
11. The a-side from an extremely rare UK minimal synth single, released in 1983.
12. The b-side from a US-based 7” from 1982.
13. Gloomy, standout new wave track from a lone US 12”, released in 1988. If I recall, this is the only track that sounds anything like this.
14. Unreleased track from this UK-based post-punk/goth band, originally featured on the band’s Myspace page. This one goes out to Michael B. Wood from Return of the East, who passed away recently, but not before sharing this obscure band with the world.
15. Title track from this rickety UK post-punk band’s second release from 1984.
16. Probably the most well-known band on here, if only because it features a young, pre-Nettwerk Sarah McLachlan on vocals. Originally released in 1986 on the Out of the Fog (The Halifax Underground 1986) compilation.
17. US-based 12”, named after this blog just kidding, but still a nice slice of excellent new wave from 1983.
18. Another one I know virtually nothing about, and welcome any further information!
19. AKA Hotel Hunger, a Danish post-punk band. This track hails from their first 12”, released in 1986.
20. UK-based indie-rock/pop in the style of Shop Assistants, Flying Nun records, etc. This is the title track from their 1987 12” of the same name. Thanks to Goutroy for passing on an extra copy!

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Various Artists- Systems of Romance vol. 666

Posted in systems of romance, various artists on May 26, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

This was originally slated to be the final post for Systems of Romance after all the drama and fallout of Mediafire, but I put this comp. on hold once the new regime kicked into action. Figured now’s as good a time as any to let this new comp hit your drives as a thanks for all the support over the past few months of change and growth.

Given this comp’s original intention of closing the doors on this blog, there’s a lot of emotional connection and homage to many of Systems of Romance’s past posts, including demos and rarities by some of my favorite artists to be featured here, including Weimar Gesang, John Costello, Ultime Possibilité, Opéra De Nuit, etc. There’s also a few exclusive goodies and standout tracks in the mix. A lot of guitars this time around, with a few minimal synth and wave goodies thrown in for good measure. Definitely a treasure trove of sounds that should feel right at home for fans of the blog.

Various Artists- Systems of Romance vol. 666
1. Victory- Vietnam
2. Silent Way- Dark Mine Fields
3. Love Lasts Forever- Babel 17
4. Ball Into Three Particles- Ashrae Fax
5. In the Fiction Press (7” Version)- The Trial
6. Your Return- Royal Depeche
7. No More Lies (Alt. Version)- Ultime Possibilité
8. Lumiére Rouge- Opéra De Nuit
9. Blanket Expression- John Costello
10. World Without Pity- Nova
11. Sista Vilan- Blipblop
12. Moroccan Nights- Acute Logic
13. Easter- Little Nemo
14. The Cold- Eskimos & Egypt
15. Light-Tight Place (Hammer Version)- Weimar Gesang
16. When We Were Young- Atmosphere Personnel
17. 7/4- Shiny Two Shiny
18. Ghost Child- Veldt

*download it here*

As with the last installment, here’s a track by track analysis:

1. The title track from this band’s eponymous 12”. Very difficult to obtain post-punk from New Zealand, donated by a friend.
2. Soaring Japanese darkwave in the vein of Excentrique Noiz and Diastereomer. I’d love to hear the rest of this if anyone owns it!
3. A demo recording, as well as a cover of a classic Virgin Prunes song. This particular version is different than the one that appears on the Infrastition reissue of Celeano Fragments.
4. One of my favorite “modern” shoegaze/dreampop artists. The band is now defunct, but their 2003 record Static Crash! is an all time favorite, recently pressed to vinyl.  This track was released a year earlier on the Botox Boon cd-r.
5. An alternate 7” version of this classic track from these Czechoslovakian favorites! This one precedes the LP version originally posted here.  The b-side to this killer single can be found on a previous Crispy Nuggets compilation as well!
6. The b-side from a privately released German 7” from 1987.
7. An alternate version of the b-side originally posted here.  This version is a bit more atmospheric, with vocals seated deeply into the mix.
8. A demo passed on to me by a fan, likely from the band’s formative years.  Another piece to the puzzle.  Get the rest of their amazing discography here– I’ve also since acquired and re-ripped the Sourire de L’Ombre 12” at pristine quality so be sure to revisit these great records!
9. A brand new contribution from John Costello, a great friend and frequent guest on Systems of Romance.  This is a cover of the classic Testcard F track, which originally was recorded on a peel session.  Get the original here and get to know John on his facebook page!
10. Phil/Goutroy from A Viable Commercial turned me on to these guys, who released one 12” in 1985 (though the track was recorded in 1983).  I like the a-side ok, but feel the b-side is the stronger track, very reminiscent of Inxs and Flock of Seagulls.  Don’t resist it.
11. An amazing minimal synth from Sweden, donated by a member of the band. They recorded several tracks and a 7”, but changed their name to Pal & Roger before issuing.  Feel those grooves!
12. Incredibly rare track from the UK, 1981 also featured on the excellent Fade2Grey site.  Shows some definite Cure/Three Imaginary Boys worship.  I just picked up a copy of this 7”, making the inclusion of this track a little redundant (stay tuned for a full rip once the postman delivers), but keeping in the spirit of things, you guys get to enjoy it a bit early.
13. Early demo from this coldwave staple, previously unreleased.
14. Originally posted by the great Return to the East blog, ripped from a fresh copy of the 7”.  I like the other tracks, but this is one of my all-time favorite cold offerings, complete contrast from the indie pop band they would become and more in line with the Lively Art greats.
15. An alternate version of this classic Italian track, released on the F/Ear This compilation.  Get the rest of their discograhy here.
16. Awesome minimal synth from 1983.  Don’t know much more about this one.
17. My favorite track from this elusive cult band from the UK.  This track was originally released on the Trance Compilation K7.  You can read more about the band and Gayna Perry here.  Grab their full lengths here and here.
18. Incredible cold track from the UK, plucked from a split 7” on Newton Products (the a-side by Beat Necessity is also essential).  This one comes from my own personal copy, though you may have seen this one on Return to the East as well.  A staple in my Wierd DJ sets, and a great way to end things on a high note.  Hello today, gone tomorrow.

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Various Artists- Unreleased Vol. 1 K7

Posted in 1987, asylum party, cassette, clair obscur, coldwave, compilations, darkwave, little nemo, mary goes round, norma loy, Orchestre Rouge, post-punk, unreleased, various artists on February 23, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Since it seems like all links for the original Unreleased cassette are dead in the water or at a very low bit rate, here’s a fresh 320 kbps, fresh from the cassette! This one is arguably the most orthodox of the series, featuring several “household names” from the French coldwave/touching pop scene, many making their first or second recorded appearance here. Every band here hails from France, with the exception of The Cultural Decay (Belgium), and a rare track from Factory darlings Section 25.

Interesting how each of these compilations appear on a different medium, huh? I wonder if a fourth compilation will ever surface on 8 track…

Various Artists- Unreleased Volume 1 K7
1. Section 25– Human Puppets
2. Asylum Party– Where Have You Gone My Friend?
3. Brigade Internationale– Memories And Break
4. Clair Obscur– Wreck
5. Mary Goes Round– The Shelter
6. Odessa– Trouble
7. Brigade Internationale– Silence Of My Brain
8. Orchestre Rouge– 1980
9. Art Remains Tangible– Numéro 32
10 Little Nemo– Future Is Now
11. Norma Loy– Ghost Parasites
12. Brigade Internationale– Eyes On The Volcano
13. Complot Bronswick– Panem And Circences
14. The Cultural Decay– I Never Loved You

*download it here*

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Various Artists- Unreleased III CD

Posted in 1990, ambient, asylum party, classical, coldwave, compilations, darkwave, little nemo, unreleased, various artists on February 15, 2012 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s one for the romantics. Contained within we have the final installment of the Unreleased series, a strictly coldwave compilation from Présage records with many repeat offenders providing exclusive tracks. You can get volume I here and my own rip of volume II here. The only release outside of these compilations is the first Little Nemo 12”. Strange that the label didn’t do much else outside of these four releases, but hey.

This installment of the unreleased series from 1990 is the most curious of the lot, as the tracks are (mostly) instrumental. In fact, the entire disc is very classical and baroque influenced, with myriads of piano and strings making up the majority of the instrumentation. Some modern sounding synths and the occasional drum machine & bass romp kick in, but for the most part, it’s a relaxing and atmospheric affair.

A few of the artists that appear here aren’t much of a surprise, especially In the Nursery, who have always flirted with a more modern darkwave take on classical music in their later incarnations. Curiously absent is Collection D’Arnell~Andrea, but this is definitely a must for fans of that sort of sound. There’s a short piano contribution from Little Nemo founder Vincent Legallo and an exclusive Asylum Party track as well as several cuts from No Words and Rise And Fall Of A Decade, who comprise the majority of this collection. This one may not be for everyone, but it’s definitely one I enjoy very much.

Various Artists- Unreleased III CD
1. No Words- Futile Research
2. Vincent Legallo- Helioneiros N° 1
3. No Words- Silent Call
4. Asylum Party- Wet Button
5. Rise and Fall of a Decade- Unity Mitford
6. Trees Dance- Fracture
7. Rise and Fall of a Decade- Theme Kurland
8. No Words- Classical Side
9. In The Nursery- Seraphic
10. Trees Dance- Lust In Holy Dust
11. Rise and Fall of a Decade- Galdhöppigen Glittertind
12. Trees Dance- No Access
13. Vincent Legallo- Orgues Allemands
14. No Words- Prémonition
15. No Words- Hommage A Gaétan Blondeau

*download it here* (RE-RIPPED 8.29.17)

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