Wednesday, November 30, 2011

PERSIAN RUGS – Drowning Pool EP (198?)



Here’s a top drawer synth wave extended player from a threesome out of the United Kingdom. This EP presumably was issued in the mid 80’s after their two earlier singles were released. Persian Rug’s discography looks to be short with only this EP and two singles to their name. The head lining single on this platter is Side 1’s Drowning Pool - a strong paced post punk wave track with angular guitar sounds. Side 2 plays host to five superb songs with a strong overall vocal treatment. Out of print private pressing via the short lived UK based Phoenix Record & Filmworks. Please note that spacing between songs was exceedingly small or nonexistent. This vinyl obscurity should be accessible for good prices…

SIDE 1
drowning pool

SIDE 2
mirrors
perfectly still
home
war machine
party lines

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Sunday, November 27, 2011

KOO DOT TAH – Perpetrators LP (1983)



Seattle based indie alternative band that delves into power pop, new wave and alternative territory on this stimulating album. They have some colorful song arrangements with crunchy guitars and insightful lyrics. Other songs lean into the power pop wave side as with the excellent “The Media Bohemia” and the power pop drenched “Beat Beach” and “Pre-Recorded Honey”… This album is fairly easy to acquire at modest prices. It comes with a colorful gatefold sleeve. Out of print private pressing via KDT Records.



SIDE A
illegal shirts
free rita hayworth
beat beach
be a helicopter
pre-recorded honey
odd man out

SIDE B
the media bohemia
on tv
dig a bon bon chi chi
slow children
i faced the insomnia squad
sex in an age of boredom

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Saturday, November 26, 2011

STOCKING HEADS – Self Titled EP (1983)



The Stocking Heads came to being in Southern, CA in the early 80’s. This odd looking trio plays some highly energetic simple synth tunes. There’s a quirky novelty in their delivery and lyrical content, which is well executed with jerky uptight rhythms. I wonder if they did any live shows… They blow through these four songs with quite the energetic flair. Although condensed, this obscurity is an entertaining listen! Think Devo on crack… Out of print private pressing via Roadside Records, Inc …Enjoy…

SIDE ONE and TWO

song a minute
lose control
guru blues
super shear

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

NATIVE EUROPE – Searching For An Orchestration LP (1983)



Native Europe consisted of a core duo and had a supporting cast of guest musicians to round out the sound. They were from the United Kingdom and produced this one and only LP from what I can find. I bought this vinyl a very long time ago and had it transferred to a CDr, so the overall sound is pretty good. I recently snatched it out of the drawer and popped it in the car and yet again I pleasantly surprised with these seven songs…This is pure synth pop electronica with some minimalism in spots. Out of print pressing via the British based independent record store of the same name - Red Rhino Records, UK.

SIDE A
losing control
tell my baby
the distance from koln

SIDE B
victoria
stay with you
quiet type
i want to be your telephone

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Sunday, November 20, 2011

BERANEK – X-Ray LP (1983)



Here’s the second full length LP by the Norwegian musician and comedian - Espen Beranek Holm. Although his debut LP release - “The Sound Of Danger” commands more attention and $$$ from the minimal synth and coldwave collectors, this sophmore effort is no slouch and is a melancholic synth wave delight.

More Info Via Discogs -
“Norwegian musician and comedian, born 1960. Beranek is well known in Norway for his longtime contributions to the still running weekly radio satire show Hallo i uken (where he provides most of the music as well as frequent parodies of Norwegian celebrities), and for being a regular fixture on TV show Løvebakken (a version of comedy panel game show If I Ruled the World). However, in his home country his name is also very much attached to his debut single "Dra Te Hælvete", which spent almost 6 months on the national charts in 1981, an achievement which was in no small way aided by the fact that the song was banned by national TV/radio channel NRK (which, ironically, would later become his employer). Beranek's debut LP Sound of Danger, released the same year, was nowhere near as accessible and fared less well commercially, although it would later find favour among collectors of minimal synth music. Beranek released several more albums and singles throughout the 80's and the first half of the 90's, often collaborating with other musicians such as The Stranglers' bass player JJ Burnel, but usually playing most of the instruments himself. Beranek has not released any new music under his own name since 1994, although some of his old work has been reissued.”

A1 It's So Strong
A2 I Believe In You
A3 City Lights
A4 Silence In The Night
A5 Crazy Things

B1 Walking In The Dark
B2 Hope I Didn't Call Your Name
B3 A Song Of Kindness
B4 Exit

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Saturday, November 19, 2011

DEVOID - In Void EP (1988)


Not much time for this one. More time Sunday… Euro influenced synth pop is the predominant sound from this European trio. A cheesy 80's cover too!!

SIDE ONE
butterfly girls
running for my life
dreams

SIDE TWO
life is hot
possession
voices

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Monday, November 14, 2011

BEER ON THE PENGUIN – Hold On To Your Dreams LP (1987)



A stellar mid 80’s new wave indie obscurity out of Michigan. Moody passionate vocals and soaring guitar segments emanate from this group’s debut and I believe only output. Their influences are clear - U2, CWN, and other more commerically popular acts of the time...Their regional popularity couldn’t extend wide enough from the frequency range of college radio stations and the club circuits. Like so many of these independent obscurities, they unfortunately had a pre-mature ending and disappeared off the radar grid. Although all seven songs can stand on their own, the premier track is the radio friendly anthem “Pictures”…This vinyl is a rare one, but worth seeking out if you have the time and patience…Out of print private pressing…

SIDE ONE
looking for you
hold on
pictures
always seems the same

SIDE TWO
better days
time for tears
she

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Friday, November 11, 2011

LAVVI EBBEL – Albu Meth EP (1982)



Here’s an early 12” from the leftfield inspired new wave group Lavvi Ebbel. They were formed in the Netherlands in the late 70’s, with their first single produced in 1981. The track “Victoria” was also released as its own 7” single the same year as this 12” extended player. There’s some odd moments and periods of creative quirkiness, but they also provide entertaining upbeat synth numbers delivered with female and male vocals. Lavvi Ebbel would go on to produce two full length albums and further explore the experimental side of things. Out of print pressing via Parsley, Belgium.



SIDE A
victoria
much a do about nothing

SIDE B
le cafard
give me a gun (remix)


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Sunday, November 6, 2011

THE SPELL – Self Titled EP (1984)



This is a recent find that has a haunting and somewhat dark atmosphere to it. The band looks to have been out of the Southern California area in the early 80’s. Some interesting alternative inspired new wave is on tap here. The standout track is “Moonlight Shadows”, with its up-tempo funky rhythms and sound effects. A consistent and interesting listen…Recorded at The Sound Solution. Out of print private pressing via Viable Option Records, Los Angeles.

ONE SIDE
invisible target
paradise of ice
I had a reason

OTHER SIDE
pygmy jungle
this isn’t a funeral
moonlight shadows

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Saturday, November 5, 2011

THE WALK – Becoming EP (1987)


Here’s the only known release from a very obscure American indie new wave band out of Winter Park, FL. Searching for any additional information was futile on my front, so if someone knows something, please do provide a comment. This is also a post request for 22nd Wave. Produced in very limited quantities and thus exceedingly rare. The standout track here is “Clear”… Out of print private pressing via Just In Time Records.

SIDE ONE
clear
stop stop stop

SIDE TWO (recorded live)
a certain sense
ability, whispers & winter
winter in springtime

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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

PRIVATE LIVES – Self Titled LP (1983)



Private Lives was an obscure indie new wave band originating out of Austin, TX in the early 80’s. They played a new wave synth sound with indie alternative tangents. The band was led by the outgoing Deborah Giles, who sings on the majority of the ten songs here and can hold her own within the vast emotive female singers of that time period. There are some interesting sound effects and synths on a variety of the songs. This is an out of print pressing via Confidential Records, Austin, TX.

SIDE 1
down in the bars
when the world comes crashing through
run & jump
cautious dreams
I lead two live

SIDE 2
crack in the world
I’ll catch on
pretty
I never cared
maybe I can be your girl

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