Luxus - Careers And Futures (1981)

'Twas the night before Xmas

When all through the house

Not a record was spinning

Not even John Maus

The needle was dropped on the record with care

In hopes that great sounds would be found there

The needle was nestled all snug in its groove

While sounds of great synths could not improve

Ok, I ran out of ideas so I have to stop the carol there. Wanted to put this up while I still have time before packing up to leave for the holidays! First let me say, what a great sleeve! This one was just begging to be checked out, and the synth magic beneath does not disappoint. Really obscure 7" from the US that I'd only recently discovered. I really hope more information on this band pops up, because my hands are empty and I'd love to know more! (update: see comments for further details and another release, compliments of Frankie Teardrop!)

I'll be back in 2014... perhaps with a... compilation? Enjoy and happy holidays!

Track List:

A - Careers And Futures
B - Spots On The Wall

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The 57th Parallel - Rising Sun (1981)

It's been a near synth overload on this blog for a while (if that's possible), so it's time for a post-punk diamond from the UK. Recorded in Cargo Studio and produced by Colin Richardson, each of which are sporting a more than impressive line up of bands under their belt. This 7" offers up 2 brilliant tracks that will fit right in line with your all-time post-punk favorites. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - In This Light
B - Psalm Fifty Seven

Download (re-uploaded with better sound, 8/21/2013)

Noël Nickel - Madeleine (1981)

Here's a lovely self-release 7" from France. Certainly hard to find, as I've been after it for quite some time, but everything surfaces eventually! Expect classic early synthpop sounds with a touch of guitar littered in the mix. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Madeleine
B - 120 BT/Mn

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VHF - First Impressions / In Stereo (1981)

 
Here we have the last piece to the VHF puzzle; the first of which, an impossibly hard to find LP, was provided for us by none other than the great Frankie Teardrop. Get it here. This 7" preceded the LP by 1 year, and contains the LP title track, as well as an exclusive track on the b-side. Thankfully the b-side is pretty listenable, especially if you like classic new wave with a bit of powerpop flavor. Hoping to get some more posts up soon, so stay tuned. Enjoy!

Tracklist:

A - First Impressions
B - In Stereo

Download

Bizarre Unit - Dancing / Away From The Screaming Car (1981)

At long last, a brilliant and ultra scarce 7" from the UK by Bizarre Unit. I'd been hunting this little jewel for quite some time and it's been well worth the wait. I'd previously heard one song that had a rather rough sound to it, but now I'm led to believe all copies share that issue. However, with a little 'remastering' help, these songs are now more than listenable!

It may interest a few of you to know that Paul Nova was involved in this wonderfully obscure gem. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Dancing
B - Away From The Screaming Car

Download

The Toy Shop - The Maze (1981)

Here's a rather scarce minimal synthpop release from the UK that, for reasons unknown to me, sells for a lot of money on eBay. Last I saw it went for almost $300. Who are you people out there willing to pay that for a 7-inch? Wouldn't you prefer a nice vacation or something? Just kidding of course, I've wasted my fair share on plenty of dusty presses. In any case, as there may be a few out there wanting to hear this one, here it is! Synthy fun in the vein of early DM, etc. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - The Maze
B - Live Wires Kill

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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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Anti-Matter - 2 x 7inch (81-83)

This is what I believe to be the band's entire discography. If there were other releases, please let me know. Both records self-released in the US on Prehistoric Records, and feature 2 minimal synth gems a piece.

Infatuation was produced by Ian North, who made a great 12" EP called "Rape Of Orchids", which I will post... hmm, after this!


Anti-Matter - Industrial City (1981)


Track List:

A - Industrial City
B - Invisible Man

Download




Anti-Matter - Infatuation (1983)


Track List:

A - Infatuation
B - Digital Dance

Download



Enjoy!

Obscure By Degrees - I'm Dying (1981)

Fresh off the needle, this is... basically one of my all-time favorite tracks. No real way to explain it other than 'it has the stuff'. Aptly named, this scarce 7" hails from the UK and features one of the catchiest minimal synth tracks you'll hear anywhere. Magical synths and a pulsating beat team up to captivate the ears. Do check this one out if you haven't heard it before. I've seen the title track kick about here and there, but the b-side might be fresh to a lot of you... a pretty nice track as well. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - I'm Dying
B - A Woman Like You

Download (link removed by request of re-issue label)

Wrinklemuzik - A Move To The Right (1981)

Ultra-rare minimal synth 7" out of the US, of which I know very little about. I believe it's the only release by the artist. This one really has the familiar sound of scarcity that we crave so much. The title track kicks things off nicely, with waves of trippy analog synthesizers and haunting vocal textures. What follows are two icey instrumentals, the first of which is more akin to track one, the last of which is quite strange and spacey... definitely worth checking out! Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - A Move To The Right
A2 - Bangkok
B1 - Rein

Download (link removed)
Listen at Myspace
Purchase at Amazon (also available on iTunes)

Support this great artist and buy it!

Calling Hearts - Return To Base (1981)

Outstanding minimal synth 7" from the UK. I don't know much about the bands discography, other than the fact that they have another 7" titled "Haunted House" (anyone have mp3s?), and the b-side of this 7" can be found on "East Of Croydon " compilation over at Mutant Sounds. Then there's a loose track I've been able to find called "Cosmology", but I cannot find any information about it. I hope someone out there knows something. It's an outstanding song, perhaps my favorite of theirs... Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Return To Base
B - In The Jungle

Download



P.S. They have another 7" called "Haunted House" that I ripped here if anyone is curious, but I warn you -- it's pretty crap, nowhere near as good as the one above.

The Quarks - Mechanical (1981)

UPDATE (5/23/16): Martin from the band has contacted me letting me know he's included other works from the period on bandcamp, including his other great project "President President".

Here's a little gem from the UK that doesn't get very much attention. A bit commercial sounding, but not at all in a bad way. I could only rip the 7", as I don't own the 12", but I do have an mp3 of that version, which is definitely worth grabbing (I'll post it below).

Track List:

A - Mechanical
B - Working Model

Download

Get "Mechanical (Extended Dance Mix)" here. Trust me, it's good. Enjoy!

Organized Pleasure - Ah! (1981)

Pretty rare 7" out of Belgium. Admittedly, I don't think too much of the b-side, but "Ah!" is a nice little upbeat piece of wave for you to enjoy. Vocals sometimes remind me of Parade Ground a bit. Check it.

Track List:

A - Ah!
B - Tropical Stumble

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Naked Lunch - Rabies (1981)

Nice debut 7" from the UK's Naked Lunch, who took their name from William S Burroughs' 1959 novel. Probably my favorite of their... I think, 3 releases... correct me if I'm wrong. You should enjoy both sides of this minimal synth gem.

Track list:

A - Rabies
B - Slipping Again

Download