CLASS ACTION – Self Titled EP (1982)

Class Action was a USA based band out of Cambridge, MA. They produced their debut s/t extended player posted here and then five years later went in a different musical direction with their full length alternative college rock affair in 1987…This debut release is more curious and funky new wave synth inspired. It even dabbles slightly with SKA influences in a couple of songs…There are both female and male vocals abound...Out of print private pressing via Medicine Crow Music…

SIDE I
It all comes back to you
if this is love

SIDE II
getting nowhere
when the wind touches down

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DOG BEANS – Across The Line EP (1983)

Here’s an unknown extended player from a group that was out of Philadelphia, PA back in the early 80’s…New wave inspired up-tempo rhythms are on tap for this six song set. There doesn’t seem to be a lick of information about this obscurity, so if you know something, please reach out… Out of print private pressing via Mood Surprise Records...

SIDE ONE
I’m so happy
Across the line
Nice guys are last

SIDE TWO
Death will be
Done time in Yeadon
Mussolini’s march

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MIKE WRAN – Parallel Sky LP (1986)

This vinyl obscurity harkens back to the Baltimore, MD underground scene in the mid 80’s…Mike Wran was a studio based solo artist who had an affinity for the way-out, left of center pop rock wave sounds of the time…He took his ideas and huddled into a rented studio with a synthesizer, sampler, guitar and drum machine and created this one off DIY effort - Parallel Sky….The end result was an interesting slice of vinyl, which saw some light of day via local radio stations, but then disappeared into the abyss.

Parallel Sky is a potpourri of new wave, psych, experimental, rock styles that are fused together with an original DIY flair…Each song stands on its own personality and one does not have to worry about fillers and repetitive arrangements here ….Standout songs are the gloom stricken “Chasing Down Storms”, the synth wave weirdness of “Shoot It Straight” and the erratic synth rhythms of “Garden” and “So”….

There was a write up done by Vinyl Journey Blogspot back in 2004, which gives some well written background and detail surrounding this eccentric piece of wax….You can get the information HERE

I figured this fantastic little oddity deserved some more exposure after eight years, so here you go...Out of print private pressing via Pink Society Records...

SIDE A
Chasing Down Storms
Counting
Parallel Sky
Watching Playlife

SIDE B
Shoot It Straight
Garden
So
There She Goes

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ZOO MUSICK – Absence In The Heart 12” (1984)

Zoo Musick was a female fronted new wave synth trio based out of Princeton, NJ…They deliver enchanting melancholic synth pop arrangements on “Absence In The Heart” and then the group veers more into a quirky tangent with the Side B numbers, although “The Candy Store” is my favorite…This looks to be their sole output… A curious and entertaining listen….Out of print private pressing via Private Parts Productions…

SIDE A
absence in the heart

SIDE B
the candy store
contact sport

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CAMERA – Advance EP (1984)

Here’s a very rare and equally obscure offering from a mid 80's Texas based band called Camera. Camera employed a generous helping of vocoder effects in their new wave inspired arrangements. They also ventured off into science fiction themed tunes, which complement the synthesized sounds and effects…The songs “Computer Age” and “Radio Waves” are the standouts….There are a couple of trip ups in the first and last songs, but the middle four songs are clear cut electronic wave winners…A limited edition of 300 copies produced…Out of print private pressing via Impact Records...

SIDE A
susans’s my brand new love
computer age
radio waves

SIDE B
replicant
bless us (as we sail away)
just another reason


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THE FYNECRY – It’s Not The Time 12” (1986)

Here’s a dance oriented single suited for the underground alternative club scenes. The Fynecry were a German based band and would later morph into the band Ballad Bombs. This vinyl 12” seems to be quite difficult to track down. With its menacing vocal delivery, the B side “Do It!” is my pick of the lot. Out of print private pressing via Depot Productions.

SIDE A
It’s not the time (hard times mix)

SIDE 2
It’s not the time (single mix)
Do it!

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THE CLAMS – Be Your Hero Tonight EP (1987)

There’s a variety of bands called The Clams. This particular outfit came from Atlanta, GA and consisted of five members. The Clams played an ear pleasing blend of new wave pop, college rock and power pop. Using a winning formula that their mainstream and more successful commercial counterparts played for years (REM, Game Theory, The Feelies and the like), they plow through four tasty little melodious driven tunes. Out of print private pressing via Happy As A Clam Records.

SIDE 1
running gotta run
wish it away

SIDE 2
passion always wins
thespian hero

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THE XENTRIX – Out Of My Head EP (1988)

Here’s an alternative extended player that comes from the land down under. The Xentrix were an indie foursome that operated out of Sidney, Australia and played a classy and sophisticated alternative indie rock sound. The provide only four songs, but they are inventive and smart coupled with a solid production quality…The sounds at times are reminiscent of The Adventures and Prefab Sprout…Out of print private pressing via C and P.

SIDE A
hip
out of my head

SIDE B
Show me
danger

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