New Label: This Statement Records re-issues former Crispy Nuggets post with bonus tracks!

Extremely happy to announce a new release on a brand new label run by a very close friend in Greece called This Statement Records! He's been working his ass off to put together a re-issue of a former 7" posted on this blog, including 3 bonus tracks never heard before! The first release (of hopefully many to come) is for the brilliant UK band Distant Drums. Always been one of my favorite posts here and their brilliant 7" has been a must have for many collectors.

The artwork from the original release has been brilliantly transferred to 12" with some minor edits to include the new material. It really looks stunning, but the transparent blue vinyl is even more gorgeous (also available in standard black... but supplies limited for each!). I was thrilled with the sound of the record, the synths and vocals and bass all come through nice and clear, for every track. There is also an awesome insert on thick, sturdy paper with a great image of the band and bio on the back. Really impressed with every aspect of this release, I must say.

The 3 bonus songs are taken from the only known demo cassette in existence, so thankfully they are preserved in the grooves of vinyl and not lost forever! You can listen to those over on the label's website (links below). 

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This record is limited to only 303 copies! I hope you like what you hear and support this brand new label. I know he can do great things if he gets off the ground. Thanks for reading, enjoy!

Next up on Medical Records LLC: Laugh Clown Laugh

With Near Paris on the books (and hopefully on your turntables), it's time to announce the next release coming out on Medical Records in conjunction with Crispy Nuggets -- Laugh Clown Laugh! You may remember their minimal synthpop gem "Feel So Young" from the very first Crispy Nuggets compilation. We have collected the best of their unreleased tracks and compiled a full LP for your listening pleasure! Sam and Dominic of LCL have painstakingly remastered these tracks to perfection. They really do sound amazing, trust me on that!

If you need your memory refreshed, or if this is your first time hearing about the band, check the aforementioned track below, along with a video made by Tyler of Medical Records featuring one of the unreleased tracks. This release is expected to be available by (approximately) Sept 19th. Don't miss it!





More news coming, so stay tuned and please continue to support this great label. So many good releases on the horizon! Last but not least, you can expect to see Crispy Nuggets Vol. 6 here in the next few weeks... ;-)

Passing Strangers - Nightdreams (1982)

Here's a rare 4-track 7" emerging from the early UK synth scene, a mere 30+ years later. You may remember the song 'Pain & Passion' from CN vol. 3, posted here. The band were, as you can see, a 4-piece, featuring Steve Deakin, Steve Long, Ian Davies, and the last member known simply as 'Flash'. The record was produced by Ken Patten who also had his hands on releases by Naughtiest Girl Was a Monitor, Vice Versa, and Spiral Visions. This one should appeal to fans of Soft Cell in particular as I can't help but think of Marc Almond on a few of these tracks. In any case, enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - I Don't Like The Way You Talk To Me
A2 - Shattered Glass
B1 - Pain & Passion
B2 - Nightdreams

Download

The Klingons - Analog-Digital (1982)

So, probably by now you've looked at the cover image and thought to yourself, "I don't give a damn what he has to say, this tape looks awesome". And actually that's a fair assessment, but just lend me a minute of your time to read on. Great news to follow.

Yes, this impossibly obscure tape from the UK is indeed awesome. Ironically named, as what was once analog will now be presented to you digitally. Catchy minimal synth throughout, the kind that only the early 80s can deliver.

What's even more exciting, however, is that Marc from Anna Logue Records has reached out to the artist and will be re-issuing this tape on LP! More info here. Update: this and more is now reissued through Vinyl On Demand in an amazing Scottish Minimal Synth compilation, more info here.

A few quick notes: Track A7 here is not listed on the tape, it's just a 30 second instrumental bit at the end of the A-side. Also, the very last track "Trad. Arr." will not be making it to the re-issue, so that's a special treat in your download below. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Society
A2 - R.A.M.
A3 - Analog-Digital
A4 - Confusion
A5 - P.C.M.
A6 - A. Survivor
A7 - Untitled
B1 - Outcry
B2 - Vortexian Fall
B3 - Trad. Arr.

Download

Mosfets - The Great War (1982)

Here's a 7" from none other than, you guessed it, the UK. Plucked from the ranks of the very best obscure minimal synth acts, to be sure. It doesn't show up often, and when it does it won't come cheap. "But Crispy, I have bills to pay, and I just spent my last paycheck on Obscure Identities releases, including the Aspect Ratio tape! I can't afford this record!" Not to worry, my friend! Just click the download link below and have a listen -- for free! Enjoy.

Track List:

A - The Great War
B - Power Games

Download

Lister - Aber Das! (1982)

They asked for minimal synth; minimal synth hath been received.

Track List:

A1 - The Bugaloo
A2 - Could I Have Your Autograph?
A3 - The Brown Shoes Incident
A4 - Rapuntzel
A5 - From The Love Nest
A6 - Walk On Water
A7 - Lipstick Moon
A8 - Another Pedestrian
A9 - I Wonder (Dub)
B1 - The Crawling Contest
B2 - Stains
B3 - The Real Star Of The Movie
B4 - I Wonder
B5 - The Third Person
B6 - Rapuntzel (Dub)
B7 - Maybe The Jokeman

Download



P.S. Stay tuned / Keep it locked / Don't touch that dial

Metropolitan - Bara Du (1982)

A little Swedish synthpop never hurt anyone, so here's a healthy dose. As per usual, almost no info at all to be found about the band. This 7" was released on the Humlan label, which also released this compilation that someone out there should share :-). Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Bara Du
B - La La La

Download

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

Download

Remote Start - Automated Man (1982)

Some of you may recognize this one from the None Night of Flexipop compilations, which featured the title track. If you haven't heard the b-side, you should definitely check it out. I prefer it to the title track, but both are minimal synth classics. This obscure 7" was made in the UK and produced by Steve Coe of Monsoon (although rather different sounds, indeed). Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Automated Man
B - Debutante

Download

Responding To Treatment - Self-Titled EP (1982)

So it took me a few days to get 2011's first post up, but I think you'll find it worth the wait. If the cover art for this one doesn't tell you everything you need to know, then I just can't help you (but I'll try anyway). This 12" was made in the US of A and delivers top notch minimal synth wave that the whole family can enjoy (How's that?). Clean, crisp synthesizers cruise from track to track on drum machine perfection. The harmonic, quasi-surf vocals only add to the fun. For fans of the darker tinged tunes, like me, "The Look In Your Eyes" steers in that direction a bit. Really great record, guys & gals. A true gem from beginning to end. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Change My Mind
A2 - The Look In Your Eyes
B1 - Designer Genes
B2 - The Movies

Download

Spiral Visions - Danse Macabre (1982)

Incredibly hard to find EP from this British synth wave band. Spiral Visions is an alias of the slightly more well-known Vision. As per usual, not a great deal of time to write about this one, but the a-side takes the cake for me. The chorus of "Despair" is wonderful, and "Voices" is a true gem! Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Despair
A2 - Voices
B1 - Picture Portrait
B2 - Dance With Me

Download (re-up 10/08/13)





P.S. Happy holidays to everyone! I likely won't have a fresh post until the new year, but expect big things. January should see a few top-notch 7"s from France, and by way of popular demand: Crispy Nuggets vol. 4!

Most exciting of all, I'm planning to re-issue a band from this very blog. Here's your hint: The band is great. ;D

Allen Chaney - The Sound Of Musak (1982)

Here's a nice British synthpop 7" for the weekend. I have almost no time to say anything about this one, but that's ok because I don't really know anything about it. It's definitely a well-produced record with a clear aim at a commercial sound, but not in that bad sort of way, if you follow me. Have a listen. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - The Sound Of Musak
B - It Is Nowhere

Download

Di Leva - The Single Man (1982)

Di Leva (also known as Thomas Di Leva) is an alias of Swedish musician Sven Thomas Magnusson who has had quite a few releases up to date. Most of what I've heard came from the early/mid 80s and is more or less pop-based, so I can't speak for the content of his modern material. This 7" single is the real treasure, for me, among all his releases. The title track, "The Single Man", is a cover of US poet and musician Rod McKuen who originally penned the song in the 60s. Needless to say, Rod didn't take the dark minimal synth approach, but that's ok because Di Leva did! He was kind enough to add a solid synthwave track to the b-side, as well. Great record, enjoy!

Track List:

A - The Single Man

B - Appear Of Need

Download

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

Download

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

Download

Radio Berlin - Dance The Youth E.P. (1982)

Nice 7" from the United States here. Radio Berlin was formed in 1981 by members of the band Futurisk (from my home state of Florida ;D). They released this 7'' and the track "Go Down" on a local compilation before dissapearing. Some pretty interesting lyrics on this one, I'm sure you'll see what I mean. Plenty of raw, analog synth as well. Enjoy.

Track List:

A1 - Gare Du Nord
B1 - Dance The Youth
B2 - Political Pop

Download

Aaah...! - Aaah...! (1982)

Nice minimal synth 7" out of the UK. The band's first of two 7" releases, this one's my favorite of the bunch, and neither are very easy to find. Both sides of this one are good. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Slip Away
B - Duty Calls

Download

Ashley Morance - Over The Wall (1982)

Rather unknown US synth wave 7". Fairly certain this is the only release/work by this artist other than playing keys for an obscure punk band called Mourning Noise in 1983, and some other, more recent work under the name "Mike Morance". Not much info beyond that, both tracks are pretty good here. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Over The Wall
B - I'll Stay Here

Download

Phantom Limb - Dance Of The Guilty (1982)

This mini-LP is from the Netherlands on "Sublabel" which is a division of Torso records, and is a post-punk / wave gem. The sound on this record is very much ahead of its time. There are parts of it where I'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between a modern indie rock/post-punk band. A bit more guitar-based upload this time, after all that synth I've been posting. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Beast Of Eden
A2 - Dance Of The Guilty
B1 - Far Sound Of Laughter
B2 - Numbered Hills
B3 - Deep In Mines

Download

Symbols - Voices (1982)

Really nice and obscure 12" from the US here. Starts a bit down-tempo and brooding with the title track, and picks up the tempo a bit through the b-side, while losing none of the mood. The early 80s really is a bottomless pit of outstanding gems... or so we hope... Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Voices
B1 - Speed of Light
B2 - Broken Promise

Download (sendspace)
Download (direct)