Elegant Unease - Innervisions (1982)

Here's a really nice and totally unknown tape from the UK, kindly provided to me by Neale (All The Madmen). The band existed from 82-84, playing in the Stoke-on-Trent area. I'm told the lead singer passed away in his thirties from a heart attack. A sad story, but his involvement in a rather nice minimal synth outfit now lives on. Coincidentally, "Life's Tragedy" is my favorite from this tape. Check it out and enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Innervisions
A2 - Time
B1 - I See Ice
B2 - Life's Tragedy

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Cunning Toy - Searching (1987)

I'm quite proud to present one of my favorite 12" records ever. Outstanding German synthpop that feels way ahead of its time. These gems are brought to you by a few of the same guys that created the ultra great New Scientists LP and 12". You can grab those from my earlier post, here. Needless to say, this record is extremely rare.

This actually sounds quite similar to how DM sounded around the same time. Maybe it's just a coincidence... In any case, it really captures and defines the sound of German synthpop from the mid/late 80s into the very early 90s. Certainly amongst the best of the bunch. I promise, you don't want to miss this one. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Searching
B1 - My Submission
B2 - Kiss Of Life

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Decades By Night / The Sons Of Monkeys - Split (1981)

Sorry for my absence lately, life has been calling (I've been trying to respond)... I think what I may do is create another Crispy Nuggets compilation... a Vol. 2, if you will. We'll see... stay tuned.

I have to thank my friend Neale from All The Madmen (first track on CN1) for sending me a copy of this mega scarce 7" from the UK. It just so happens that he was also a member of the B-side band, my favorite from this record. There's a bit of clicking and popping here and there on my copy, sorry about that! I've reduced it as much as I can without destroying the overall sound. That sound, by the way, should appeal nicely to true minimal synth lovers.

As a side note, my other friend Stephen is releasing an All The Madmen record soon, so keep an eye out for that one, and buy it! Not to be missed! Enjoy.

Track List:

A - The Sons Of Monkeys - Me And Mr. Suzuki
B - Decades By Night - Life Spiral

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Various Artists - Crispy Nuggets (Vol. 1)

Well, there's really no rhyme or reason to this. It's just something I felt like doing. As you might have guessed, it's not an official release. Did the name give it away? I wasn't after any sort of cohesive structure or even smooth transition from track to track. Some of these bands are extremely obscure, and some of them I just really like. Either way, I think you'll dig it. I can't say whether the "Crispy Nuggets" series will continue or not, but I named it Vol. 1 in the event that I'm once again inspired to do this. I pulled a lot out of the UK for this, a few sprinkled in from various parts of Europe, and a few from North America. Do give it a try, and if I ever meant it before - enjoy!

Track List:

01 - All The Madmen - Living Is A Nightmare
02 - Mixed Feelings - Another Place (Like Home)
03 - Red Shift - This Is The Worst (Of Love)
04 - Incubated Sounds - Anne's Death
05 - Art Fact - Building
06 - Laugh Clown Laugh - Feel So Young
07 - Young Things West - Trans-Europa
08 - Negatives In Colour - Love Amongst The Buildings
09 - The Short Wave Mystery - Special Girl
10 - Tres - Break Your Body Down
11 - Games - Green Brigade
12 - Clair Instant - Le Bleu Des Choses
13 - Pas De Deux - Cardiocleptomanie
14 - Monty Cantsin - Blood & Gold
15 - Candide - Dreamers Never Talk


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Log 10 - You're Not There (1984)

Here's a very scarce 7" from the UK. The band had another single called "Step In The Dark" that is remotely well-known. You may have heard Veronica play it if you tune in to her wonderful show. You can get that here. Each track is a bit different from the next; each good in their own way. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - You're Not There
B - Freefall

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Tres - Smile On My Face (198x)

This is one of my personal favorites. A very obscure but brilliant band from Sweden, this 7" was the band's solo self-release. The band had written quite a few demos, but none of them ever made it to and official release (sadly). Their demos are amazing, btw. Stay tuned and one of them might pop up here... ;-)

As for this release, there are two solid synth-heavy tracks that I can't seem to get enough of... particularly "Operator", which may be fairly well-known by now. What a killer. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Smile On My Face
B - Operator

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Various Artists - VM Cinque (1986)

Here's a very nice collection of artists from Italy. A 2LP limited to 600 hand-numbered copies, which was included with VM fanzine "5". This will appeal to those who dig classic Italian cold, darkwave style. Suicide Dada is the standout for me by a slim margin, just see"Acque" for my explanation on that. What a track! Check it out and enjoy.

Track List:

A1 - Destijl - Il Vaso Di Pandora
A2 - Destijl - La Sfinge
A3 - Destijl - Taiga
A4 - Destijl - Assab
B1 - Suicide Dada - Acque
B2 - Suicide Dada - Grida!
B3 - Suicide Dada - Echi
B4 - Suicide Dada - Porto Sepolto
B5 - Suicide Dada - Waiting For September
C1 - Intolerance - Drugs
C2 - Intolerance - Terminal State
C3 - Intolerance - 24
C4 - Intolerance - Wait And Kill
D1 - Regard - The Empty Day
D2 - Regard - Happy Lifes
D3 - Regard - We Are Here
D4 - Regard - J'aine Le Noir

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Angela - Fantasy (1984)

I thought that if I were going to post one of the worst album arts ever (see last post), I might as well follow it with one of the best album arts ever.

Angela (Werner) had a few releases between the years 1981 and 1984, almost all of them being rather elusive. This being no exception. She was also involved in another project with a similarly simple title called "Jyl". You can check that out here. There's something really great about this woman's voice. I absolutely love it.

This particular single was released on 7" and 12", with 4 separate tracks scattered between them. I just ripped the 7" and so happen to have the other songs from the 12" on hand, and will post them below as well. The most well-known song here is "I Gotta Little Love", but I think you'll like all of them, as I do. Enjoy.

Track List:

A - Fantasy
B - Kites

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and the 2 extra tracks from the 12":

Painted Love and I Gotta Little Love (mp3s on request)

Janitors Animated - My God He's Terrible (1985)

Pretty nice Canadian mini LP with both hits and misses. The first miss being the album art. I know what you're thinking, but no, I didn't create that in MS paint, it's the real deal. The music inside the cover is thankfully a bit better. My favorites on this one are "Need To Go High" and "Drunkula". A few pops on my copy, but nothing too distracting. Check it out and enjoy.

Track List:

A1 - Need To Go High
B1 - In Synergy X
B2 - The Light
B3 - Drunkula
B4 - My God He's Terrible

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Dusk To Dawn - Places You Will Never See (Cassette) (1994)

I don't often dig up items from the 90s, but sometimes they're worth it. I know some of you want nothing to do with anything that falls outside of the decade beginning in 8, but bear with me on this... I'll get back to feeding your sweet tooth soon.

This is the 2nd and last cassette released by the band, I've never heard the first (if anyone wants to be a pal and share it --- UPDATE: Now posted here on Kentucky Fried Wave). These Germans make a brand of synth-driven, semi-goth rock that really appeals to me. The tracks "Fading" and "Far Places" are the standouts that I seem to keep coming back to on this particular release. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Separation
A2 - Fading
A3 - Out Of Sight
B1 - Deception
B2 - Hearts Lied Open
B3 - Far Places

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Pursuit Of Colour - Love Plays Ego (1984)

Another one bites the dust. You may have noticed this was formerly in my request list. Hell, this may have been in your very own request list. In any case, here it is. One of the scarcest minimal synth 7" records you can('t) find anywhere. This one was born in the UK and, if what I've been told is correct, was limited to 50 copies (no, I didn't forget to add another zero)! Two solid tracks of ace minimal electronics. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Can't Let You Go
B - Radomontade

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Videoclips - Roboter Ramona (1982)

Don't have a lot of time to say much about this. It may be fairly well-known, but less well distributed. Great 7" single from Germany that comes from the band's sought after LP. Which, if anyone out there owns, a rip would be more than appreciated! Enjoy.

Track List:

A - Roboter Ramona
B - Husky

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