Exxess - No Heaven's Tears (1984)

 
Oh, what, so you thought I was retired? Ok, in fairness, I've been horrible. Absent. Asleep at the wheel, even. I do apologize. There are still nuggets to be had, and I will keep trying to get them posted here for your listening pleasure!

At long last, we have a true gem of a cassette published in the endlessly generous country of Italy, in 1984. I mean, it's Italian so I don't need to say much more -- you already know it's going to be good. But lend me your ear (eyes) for just a moment.

Exxess were a 4-piece band from Osimo/Ancona, centered around Joe D'Elirio, a man you will learn and hear more about if all goes well with my plans for this blog. These songs, for me, fit right in with other Italian wave favorites like Chromagain, Intelligence Dept, etc. For now, we're just scratching the surface of the criminally under-rated and somehow still unknown works and aliases of JDE.

Big thanks to my friends Gianlorenzo and Andrea over in Italy for bringing these tunes to my attention. Hopefully much more to come! Enjoy!

Track List:

01. Walkin' Down The Subway
02. Deep Water
03. Marilin's Pills
04. No Heaven's Tears
05. Ghiaccio
06. Mad Haus (Live)

Download



Bonus links:

• The previous post 391 Marche contains two JDE related items (Modi and Marilin's Pills)

• You can like and follow these Facebook pages for tons of info, music, and images from the Italian wave underground:
391 Marche / 391 Piemonte / 391 Toscana

Lister / Mørkelagt Bevegelse - En Side Hver (1984)

Ok so I've slept on posting this one for a long time now, but here it is (finally!). A split tape from Norway, featuring two artists previously posted on this blog that you can find here and here. The Lister side doesn't offer too much in the way of thrills, but I certainly enjoy Mørkelagt Bevegelse's contributions here. There aren't any other MB releases that I'm aware of, so.. enjoy!

P.S. I have a few great posts lined up, so stay tuned!

Track List:

A1 - Lister - Et Skritt Frem Og Ti Til Siden
A2 - Lister - Another Mt. Fuji
A3 - Lister - Eifantz
A4 - Lister - Paraplylandskap
B1 - Mørkelagt Bevegelse - A Loss Of Memories
B2 - Mørkelagt Bevegelse - In Need Of Answers
B3 - Mørkelagt Bevegelse - They Don't Die, But Still...
B4 - Mørkelagt Bevegelse - Compared To An Image

Download

Picture Book - Laughing In My Hand (1984)

Ok, so it's been kind of a while. I've had a few different requests lately. Everything from, "Hey, can you post the b-side of Picture Book?"... to... "Hey, where the hell did you go? Post more shit, asshole!". Yes, I admit, I've been absent for a long time. Sorry about that. The personal life has kept me quite busy, but I should also mention that hidden 80s gems, although plentiful, have for the most part been uncovered. Very few diamonds left to uncover, I wager. Not to suggest there's nothing left to find. There is. I just have much less time on my hands to hunt them down. What's more, I've wanted to keep the quality of this blog's posts at (what I consider) a very high level. I never intended this to be endless. A new post every week just for the sake of posting. So that you can download it, skip through it, yawn and/or roll your eyes, and never listen again. There are a lot of blogs out there that can serve that need. I will probably never shut down this blog altogether, but posts will be much more sporadic and random. I do have a completely badass tape from France planned at some point in the not too distant future. You'll love it. Ok, enough out of me, I've wasted enough time.

You've heard the title track of this 7-inch on CN4 but as I said above, the b-side has been requested... so here it is! Pretty slick record and extremely rare, that's for sure. There happens to be a copy of it up on eBay at the moment, so bring your A-game if you plan to be the new owner. By A-game, I mean a lot of money. Anyway, Picture Book were a UK trio: Steve A, Lesley, and Steve B. They appear on the excellent Subtle Hints compilation, as well as another compilation called "Against The Tide". I haven't heard the song featured there, but I surely would like to. It's called "Scarlet Everywhere", so if anyone out there can help, please do! The band has a Facebook and are very friendly, go give them a like and say hello. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Laughing In My Hand
AA - Reflex Action

Download (minus.com)
Download (direct)

P.S. You can here an alternative version of the song, here.

Collage - Mit Den Puppen Tanzen (1984)

Oh my, I've really been slacking haven't I? [Yes, you have, what kind of crappy blog is this?] Sorry about that! Lots of nice things right around the bend, I promise.

I finally had enough time to drop the needle on this 12" tonight. Deutschland: the gift that keeps on giving! This one is particularly interesting to me as it involves members of Stahlnetz and Schwarze Bewegung. Up-tempo tanz beats throughout, lots of synths and female vocals. A great Friday night record. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Mit Den Puppen Tanzen
A2 - Schwarze Nacht
B1 - Niemals Zurück
B2 - Harter Film

Download (updated 7/17/2013)

The Parapluies - The Parapluies (1984)

Excellent tape from Germany, on one of the best labels for German minimal synth: P.A.P. I would like very much to hear all of the releases from that label, wink wink, nudge nudge. Here's one of them. You won't regret checking out that gem, trust me on that. As for this little nugget, you are likely familiar with the brilliant track "Necessities", which is by no means the only worthwhile song on the tape. It's quite good throughout, with female vox flowing across waves of bass and synth. The lead-off track starts out a bit on the corny side, so soldier through that and you'll hear the goodies that follow it. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Bruno
A2 - Fallen Dream
A3 - Necessities
B1 - Heart And Facts
B2 - Stranger In Paradise
B3 - Leaving You

Download

Rive Gauche - Friends are Friends (1984)

This is a personal favorite from Belgium, one of the best countries for minimal synth wave gems. Perhaps the best part about this 7" is that the vocals are performed by Carol, who you'll remember from the Breakdown/So Low 7" that I posted a while back here. I don't really know who else was involved other than the names listed on the sleeve, which are: Luc, Olivier, Didier, Bernard, and Dimitri. Well, in any case, hats off to the lot of them. The title track is pretty well-known via Tribute To Some Bizzare, but it's mislabeled "Friends and Friends", and frankly mine sounds a lot better. The b-side is certainly no slouch and is not to be missed! Enjoy.

Track List:

A - Friends are Friends
B - Back

Download (link updated: 10/3/2013)

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

Download

Plastic Dolls - Don't Forget Me (1984)

What a fantastically rare Greek 7" we have here. There's almost nothing to be known about this one. At least, I don't have a clue (so if anyone out there knows something about this band, please speak up). I can tell you that it's one of the best unknowns from Greece you'll ever hear. The title track features drilling synth perfection, male and female vox, and a great chorus topped off by just the right amount of guitar. "The End" sets a much darker, desperately melancholic tone. And, of course, that is a good thing! Minimalist design and lack of cover helped bury this gem in a few bins, I'm sure. Keep an eye out while you hunt. In the meantime, enjoy!

Track List:

A - Don't Forget Me
B - The End

Download

Neurox - A Raving Night (1984)

This is easily one of my favorite dark Italian wave records. Both sides of this 7" do a perfect job of blending male and female vocals, as well as synths and guitars. Very catchy from start to finish. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - A Raving Night
B - Romantic

Download

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

Download

Various - De Wassenaarse Slag (1984)

Here's a nice Dutch compilation featuring a few artists that have become household names by now, along with a few unknowns. One of my favorite tracks from this record was recently included in CN3. Not surprisingly, the Störung and Ensemble Pittoresque tracks are genius, but other standouts for me include Risk and Scandalls, Final Unit, and Burma. Pretty great collection of songs altogether. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Final Unit - Hypocritical
A2 - Bell's Of Home - Fall Down
A3 - Burma - Chinese Lessons
A4 - Marge And The Marvellous - A Distant Dance
A5 - Lancaster - Tonight
B1 - Störung - Empire SX
B2 - Risk And Scandalls - Drizzle
B3 - Perfect Vue - They're Watching You
B4 - Ensemble Pittoresque - The Mouthshut

Download

Aaah...! - Unreleased 3rd Single (1984)

Here we have a set of songs that were intended to be released as a single (the band's 3rd), but unfortunately never quite made it there. You can get the 1st single here, and the 2nd here. I should note, this is not an official album art, as there never was one. For me the sound is just about in between the more serious approach of the first single and the playfully pop approach of the second. As with the Input:Output single, the vocal work here is done by Henry Kent, not Kez Stone. Both tracks are pretty slick, hats off once again to the Aaah...! boys. Enjoy!

Track List:

Love Torpedo
Love Toy

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Factual - For The Song (1984)

Here we have the last release from Tennessee-based synth band, Factual. You can get the earlier 2 records here on Goutroy's blog to complete the discography. A while back I posted another Robb Earls project called Warm Dark Pocket, which you can get here. Mr. Goutroy did most of the work on the bio, so I'll just say this ones right about in line with the rest of Factual's material. The title track is a truly great blend of guitar and synth work that shouldn't disappoint. It reminds me of Epitaphe, a bit. The b-side is of course a remix of the title song taken from a previous 12", also quite nice! Enjoy.

Track List:

A - For The Song
B - Psychotic Romance (Remix)

Download

Friends Of The Maid - Friends Of The Maid (1984)

It's been quite a long time since I've posted anything here, and I'm sorry for that! I've been in between homes, and finally getting settled down again. Hopefully I'll be able to post a bit more often now!

This DIY 12" was made in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA! A great obscure synthwave record for your listening pleasure. The main line-up involved in recording this record had a split after the record was released, although Brett Edgar and Carl White supposedly continued on and recorded more music as Friends Of The Maid (I have no further knowledge of this). The obvious stand-out track here is "Love Turn Around", which really could have been a hit with a bit more exposure. Enjoy!


Track List:

A1 - Love Turn Around
A2 - My Love For You Is Gone
B1 - Waiting For A Chance
B2 - Carolina Called
B3 - Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life
Download

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

Download

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

Download



and the 2 extra tracks from the 12":

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

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

Download

Portray Heads - Elaborate Dummy (1984)

This is quite a wild and fun minimal synthy single. I guess I'm just bouncing all over the globe these days. This flexi 7" comes from Japan and features some of the best pulsating synthetic beats you'll hear anywhere. A few of you might be happy to see this one, it's a bit sought after you could say. Check it out and see why. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Elaborate Dummy
B - Watch Your Scope!

Download

P.S. They have another 7" and I'd love to hear it if someone out there has it!

Rudy - Homme Mecanique (1984)

Mega scarce 7" here. I heard it through the grapevine that the artist was contacted as to whether he had any spare copies laying around, and he apparently wants nothing to do with that part of his life or the music industry in general, and destroyed everything he had left... How unfortunate! I'd have liked to find out whether he had some unreleased material... Oh well, enjoy!

Track List:

A - Homme Mecanique
B - Destinee

Download

Ruins - Ruins EP (1984)

It's been a while since I've posted something in the funky, italo vein. So I'm going with this nice 12" EP from, you guessed it, Italy. Thanks to Ale for tipping me off to it, some time ago. The song "Fire" has a video, in two different versions actually... One of which I'll embed below, the other you can view here. Check it out and... enjoy!



Track List:

A1 - Fire
A2 - Sexual Desire
B1 - It's Not Too Grand
B2 - Good Name

Download (link removed, check Minimal Wave and buy the record!)