Modern Jazz - The Nude (1986)

Wonderful band from Australia that I'm sure most everyone is familiar with by now. You may remember them from the excellent Signal To Noise Set compilation which was posted by Goutroy, and their "Bubble Head Breakdown" tape was posted on Mutant Sounds. Both are highly recommended. This LP was released on Cleopatra Records which featured such bands as The Metronomes, Cybotron, and Second Glance. Speaking of, if anyone out there has Second Glance's "Tomorrow", I'd love to hear it! Oh, there's a copy of this record on eBay right now, just in case anyone out there is interested in picking it up while they have the chance. Doesn't come around too often! Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Whole Lot Of Shakin' Goin On
A2 - Daddy-O
A3 - Neon Tubes
A4 - She Engine
B1 - The Night The Good Boy Lost His Crown
B2 - Industry
B3 - The Great Outdoors
B4 - Baulderstein

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Silent Creatures - Should I Stay (1986)

Here's a nice Belgian 7" that's heavy on the synth with a slight (at least by my ear) Robert Smith influence. Nothing distracting, but you can sense it. I only know of one other release by the band, a 7" in 1988 which supposedly has a more alternative/punk leaning. Can't speak to that, though. Seems instantly less interesting to me :). Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Should I Stay
B - The Sun

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Velvascurge - Human Element (1985)

If you caught Goutroy's recent compilation of excellent obscurities then you probably noticed the excellent Velvascurge song "...In The Numbers". For me it's the standout track on the record (honorable mention to "Shadow (Reprise)"), but since I know many of you are just like myself and like to hear the whole thing... here it is! Velvascurge were a US trio from Miami, FL with only one other release in 1989, a CD called "Wiggley Snake" (thanks to Vinyl Obscurity for that info). Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Only The Shadow Knows
A2 - ...In The Numbers
A3 - Shadow (Reprise)
B1 - Wild Western World
B2 - Syndicated Life

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Die Idole - Self-titled (1982)

Check out that sweet pants & boots combo! Ahem, sorry, the music inside this cover is pretty great as well. One more from Deutschland before I retire for the weekend. Really great NDW that was summarized perfectly by the legendary bX when he said, "like Abwärts going synth". No other releases that I'm aware of outside of a 7" single that contains 2 tracks already found on this LP. They have one other song called "Neue Zeit" on an unofficial v/a CD-r from 2003 that I wouldn't mind hearing, if anyone happens to have it. Enjoy!

Tracklist:

A1 - Alles Oder Nichts
A2 - Nova Kultura
A3 - Hautnah
A4 - Sorglos
B1 - Grossstadtleben
B2 - Pfahl Im Fleisch
B3 - Helden
B4 - Langeweile

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Fix & Fertig - Wie Der Lichte Tag (1984)

Really nice minimal weirdness from Deutschland. Both male and female vocals set against droning, pulsing minimal beats and clashing percussion. Plenty to enjoy about this peculiar obscurity. There's a band by the same name on Discogs, but nothing other than coincidence would lead me to believe they're related, as the style and sound surely aren't... I suppose it's possible they changed their sound from uber kalt awesomeness to corny garbage, though. Who knows? Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Cube Carrelage Blanc
A2 - We Shall Overcome
A3 - Les Gammas
B1 - Eingesperrt
B2 - Duck Duck

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Pop Negatif Wastad - Self-titled (1989)

Things got a bit light and pop there for a minute, didn't they. Let's go dark. Here's an excellent mini-LP from the UK, layered in darkness from beginning to end. The record kick-starts with "Valium", a brilliant track with drilling synth and male/female vox. Maybe my favorite, but hard to say. You may be familiar with "Iawn", which has gotten some play on them youtubes. See the bizarre video below. Enjoy!



Track List:

A1 - Valium
A2 - Pop Negatif Wastad
A3 - Kerosene
B1 - Iawn
B2 - Pop Negatif
B3 - ''Helo Rhywbeth Newydd''

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Teai Benet - 2:00 Love (1983)

Really nice US wave 7" from Texas! Female vox and wonderful synth & guitar play. Don't have much to say about this one so I'll let the video below do the talking. Enjoy!

RPFTRP!



Track List:

A - 2:00 Love
B - Bend Me, Shape Me

Download (link removed by request of copyright owner)

Royalty - Lycklig? (1986)

Calling all minimal synthpop fans. Here's a fantastic 7" from Sweden that hasn't received nearly enough attention. Another lone release (as far as I know). Nice classic synthpop sound accompanied by a superb b-side with a slight NDW edge. Super catchy. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Lycklig?
B - Kom Kom!

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