LOG - League Of Gentlemen (1985)

I know it's been a long time since a new post, yet again, so I figured I'd drop something off in time for xmas. 

Freshly ripped as of last night, we have a rather mysterious 12" from Switzerland. There's not a lot of info to be had about this one other than the fact that it was produced in 1985 with the help of one Peter Felippi, who appears to have released under his own name as well, back in '82. The band members are unknown and only referred to as "LOG".

In any event, they offered up 4 solid tracks of pure synthpop, exhibiting clear influences from Depeche Mode, Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark, and so on. There's a nice balance of style & approach between the dance-friendly opener "Computer Love" through to the carnival-esque ballad closing track "Car Park". Do enjoy, and we'll see you in 2016!

Track List:

A1. Computer Love

A2. Prostitute Sue

B1. Lite By Nite

B2. Car Park

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In Search Of Beauty - Disappointment After Hope (1988)

As promised, the follow up demo tape to match the 12" below. I have to say, as much as I am fond of the vinyl release, this tape takes the cake for me. The first song is the hauntingly dark clip that was posted on Facebook, that I can't seem to stop listening to... The rest of the tape follows in a similar fashion, really enjoyable throughout. Other favorites would be "In My Memories", "Beauty", and one that grew on me "A Happy New Year". I've ripped far fewer tapes in my day than I have records, so I hope the sound on this is ok! Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - A Melancholic Day
A2 - Resurrection
A3 - In My Memories
A4 - Beauty
B1 - A Happy New Year
B2 - Ich Möchte Lieber Träumen
B3 - Venezianisches Ballett

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In Search Of Beauty - The Arise (1984)

If you caught the gloomy sample clip posted on the Facebook page, then you had a glimpse of what's to come in this post and the next. In Search Of Beauty were a Swiss band that released this 12" as well as a demo tape which I will post right after this. I'm not certain whether the year for this is '84 as I don't see one listed anywhere on the record itself or the sleeve, so I'm just rolling with the Discogs info. The demo tape does have a year on it (1988), so it's very possible this record is a few years younger, but that's neither here nor there -- the music itself is great! If you love your melancholic darkwave as much as I do, the very first track will grab you immediately. It does goes on a few softer interludes that keep it from being a 10/10 for me, but still really good. Demo tape coming up next... Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Love Is Colder Than Dead
A2 - Midnight
A3 - Haunting Anguish
B1 - Never
B2 - Incredible Lightness

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Jessica Blue - The Dark Of Light (1985)

This one's for the italo-disco fans out there, as it's been a while for the genre to make an appearance on this blog. This is the only Jessica Blue release that I'm aware of -- Now, I could be wrong on this, but... I'm pretty sure there was a law enacted in Italy that restricted italo-disco artists to just one release, at which point it was mandatory for them to disappear into obscurity forever. Well, at least that's what it seems like sometimes.

In any case, this 12" features three takes on essentially the same song, but it's a good'n. You can find a copy of this record through the usual outlets for what I'd consider a reasonable price. Well worth it for a gem such as this. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - The Dark Of Light (Club Mix)

B1 - The Dark Of Light (Radio Mix)

B2 - Is Just A Memory (Snow Mix)

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Mittageisen - Automaten (1985)

In a bit of a dark mood today (not too different from any other day), so here's a sought-after darkwave 12" from Switzerland. Title track is a gem, featuring dark whispers and synths to perfectly suit your mood (or mine, whichever). Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Automaten
B - Neues China

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El Deux - Best of (1982, Remaster)

Another great synthpop/new wave release of the non-English variety (I'll get back to English soon enough!). This is a curiously named release by a band that had one LP with one single, which essentially means everything they've done is their best, and I suppose no one can argue that! It is indeed an enjoyable listen throughout. Most of these tracks are from their Nur Für Mädchen LP, hold the final track "Video King", which was the b-side to their "Gletscher" single.

Track List:

01 - Computer-Mädchen
02 - Mädchen (Lass Das Sein)
03 - Mein Ding
04 - Ich Möcht' Ich Wär' 1 Millionär
05 - 50 Jahr, Blondes Haar
06 - Gangster Tscha Tscha
07 - Gletscher
08 - Wir Tanzen
09 - Spieglein, Spieglein
10 - Video King

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Fresh Color - Nightdreams (1985)

Rather than an italo-disco single, I thought I'd post up an entire LP that is actually quite good all the way through. This band is from Switzerland and if you look for their photo, you'll notice one member looks quite a bit like Martin Gore did at the time. I guess Depeche Mode look-a-likes aren't that much of a rarity. -- In any case, as I said before there are quite a few nice tracks on this one. "Disco Future" is a fairly well-known single, and another of my favorites "Sing With Me Tonight" should sit well with you. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1		Don't Shoot Me
A2		Automatic
A3		Disco Future
A4		D.J.Track Vol.1
A5		Number One
B1		Modern
B2		Sing With Me Tonight
B3		It's So Crazy
B4		Nightdreams

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