Various Artists - Crispy Nuggets (Vol. 1)

Well, there's really no rhyme or reason to this. It's just something I felt like doing. As you might have guessed, it's not an official release. Did the name give it away? I wasn't after any sort of cohesive structure or even smooth transition from track to track. Some of these bands are extremely obscure, and some of them I just really like. Either way, I think you'll dig it. I can't say whether the "Crispy Nuggets" series will continue or not, but I named it Vol. 1 in the event that I'm once again inspired to do this. I pulled a lot out of the UK for this, a few sprinkled in from various parts of Europe, and a few from North America. Do give it a try, and if I ever meant it before - enjoy!

Track List:

01 - All The Madmen - Living Is A Nightmare
02 - Mixed Feelings - Another Place (Like Home)
03 - Red Shift - This Is The Worst (Of Love)
04 - Incubated Sounds - Anne's Death
05 - Art Fact - Building
06 - Laugh Clown Laugh - Feel So Young
07 - Young Things West - Trans-Europa
08 - Negatives In Colour - Love Amongst The Buildings
09 - The Short Wave Mystery - Special Girl
10 - Tres - Break Your Body Down
11 - Games - Green Brigade
12 - Clair Instant - Le Bleu Des Choses
13 - Pas De Deux - Cardiocleptomanie
14 - Monty Cantsin - Blood & Gold
15 - Candide - Dreamers Never Talk


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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

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Tres - Smile On My Face (198x)

This is one of my personal favorites. A very obscure but brilliant band from Sweden, this 7" was the band's solo self-release. The band had written quite a few demos, but none of them ever made it to and official release (sadly). Their demos are amazing, btw. Stay tuned and one of them might pop up here... ;-)

As for this release, there are two solid synth-heavy tracks that I can't seem to get enough of... particularly "Operator", which may be fairly well-known by now. What a killer. Enjoy!

Track List:

A - Smile On My Face
B - Operator

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Various Artists - VM Cinque (1986)

Here's a very nice collection of artists from Italy. A 2LP limited to 600 hand-numbered copies, which was included with VM fanzine "5". This will appeal to those who dig classic Italian cold, darkwave style. Suicide Dada is the standout for me by a slim margin, just see"Acque" for my explanation on that. What a track! Check it out and enjoy.

Track List:

A1 - Destijl - Il Vaso Di Pandora
A2 - Destijl - La Sfinge
A3 - Destijl - Taiga
A4 - Destijl - Assab
B1 - Suicide Dada - Acque
B2 - Suicide Dada - Grida!
B3 - Suicide Dada - Echi
B4 - Suicide Dada - Porto Sepolto
B5 - Suicide Dada - Waiting For September
C1 - Intolerance - Drugs
C2 - Intolerance - Terminal State
C3 - Intolerance - 24
C4 - Intolerance - Wait And Kill
D1 - Regard - The Empty Day
D2 - Regard - Happy Lifes
D3 - Regard - We Are Here
D4 - Regard - J'aine Le Noir

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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

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and the 2 extra tracks from the 12":

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

Janitors Animated - My God He's Terrible (1985)

Pretty nice Canadian mini LP with both hits and misses. The first miss being the album art. I know what you're thinking, but no, I didn't create that in MS paint, it's the real deal. The music inside the cover is thankfully a bit better. My favorites on this one are "Need To Go High" and "Drunkula". A few pops on my copy, but nothing too distracting. Check it out and enjoy.

Track List:

A1 - Need To Go High
B1 - In Synergy X
B2 - The Light
B3 - Drunkula
B4 - My God He's Terrible

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Dusk To Dawn - Places You Will Never See (Cassette) (1994)

I don't often dig up items from the 90s, but sometimes they're worth it. I know some of you want nothing to do with anything that falls outside of the decade beginning in 8, but bear with me on this... I'll get back to feeding your sweet tooth soon.

This is the 2nd and last cassette released by the band, I've never heard the first (if anyone wants to be a pal and share it --- UPDATE: Now posted here on Kentucky Fried Wave). These Germans make a brand of synth-driven, semi-goth rock that really appeals to me. The tracks "Fading" and "Far Places" are the standouts that I seem to keep coming back to on this particular release. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Separation
A2 - Fading
A3 - Out Of Sight
B1 - Deception
B2 - Hearts Lied Open
B3 - Far Places

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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

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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

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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!

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

Vivante - Drömmaren (1983)

I swear, so much good stuff comes out of Sweden. This privately pressed gem is no exception. A wonderfully melancholic 7" with lots of synth, but plenty of guitar and *gasp* actual drumming (sorry to the machinists among you). Enjoy it while it lasts, I don't often present much of that!

Similar sound on both sides of this one. So much so, in fact, that when the b-side begins, if you're not paying attention you might think you're hearing the a-side again. That soon changes, however. Check it out & enjoy!

Track List:

A - Drömmaren
B - Angela

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Ian North - Rape Of Orchids EP (1982)

As I said in the previous post, Ian North has played the role of both the artist and the producer. This time as the artist. This is the last of his efforts, in the same era, at least. I believe he is currently promoting new music and you can probably find out more on his myspace page, if interested. In any case, "Sex Lust You" is the winner here, for me. Check it out. Enjoy!

Track List:

A1 - Only Love Is Left Alive
A2 - Romance
B1 - Sex Lust You
B2 - White Gardens

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