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!
For those of us who search high and low for the next hidden synth gem, it's often easy to feel discouraged, as though all the truly worthwhile items have all been found by now. That may be at least partially true, but every once in a while you discover something that renews your hope and keeps you in the hunt. This record represents that very experience for me.
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!
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!
Fantastic spread of artists on this Italian compilation. I can't say quite enough about each and every artist here. Unlike a lot of compilations, I can happily listen all the way through this one without missing a beat. You'll hear everything from minimal synth to post-punk on this scarce tape. Some favorites being the recently re-issued Aidons La Norvege, Syndrome, Die Crucis, Mengue, and of course X-Offender. Not 100% sure of the exact release year. Anyone? Enjoy!
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!
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!
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!
As promised, the follow up demo tape to match the 12" below. I have to say, as much as I am fond of the vinyl release, this tape takes the cake for me. The first song is the hauntingly dark clip that was posted on Facebook, that I can't seem to stop listening to... The rest of the tape follows in a similar fashion, really enjoyable throughout. Other favorites would be "In My Memories", "Beauty", and one that grew on me "A Happy New Year". I've ripped far fewer tapes in my day than I have records, so I hope the sound on this is ok! Enjoy!
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!
This is a pretty slick 12" from Germany with a very club-friendly sound to it. I know very little about the band, other than the fact that this is not their only material. You may have also heard this song (from 1986, I think) at a wave party/club. It's definitely the winner of the bunch for me. Anyway, like I was saying this one feels most at home in the club atmosphere, and hopefully you'll start hearing it there. Strange Shock is pretty nice and I definitely prefer the alternate mix of Real Command -- sick synths for the time. Enjoy!
