The genre called Americana I still try to like, but it’s tricky as I’ve never got on with R.E.M et al.
From 1989 and from the album, “Blind Man’s Zoo”, a soft and melodic “morning” song with those beautiful vocals and melancholic lyrics.
The line-up;
Organ, Piano: Dennis Drew, Drums: Jerome Augustyniak, Vocals: Natalie Merchant, Guitar: Robert Buck and Bass Guitar: Steve Gustafson
The B-side sounds like it could come from Kirsty MacColl. Jerome does the Phil Spector drumming and Merchant gives a delicate performance with a strong political message.
I’ve not done a review for a while (as Eden from the band reminded me last night!)
With the emergence of their new video (shot on an Industrial Estate with 2 mobile phones and edited on an app!)it prompted me to pull my finger out and get reviewing. I’ve included the other 2 posts I’ve done on them (with some actual tracks in FLAC)
Hark the ‘post-nuclear electronic heralds‘! The song that is driven by an almost industrial, metronomic rhythm section but soon goes off in melodic / angelic harmonies before grabbing your throat again with it’s velvet glove.
What I love about their work in general is the wide soundstage they present and their subtle use of analogue sounds as demonstrated on the extended version. It also has that “hairs on the back of the neck” synth lead in the outro.
It’s deep with a strong message. A quote from their bandcamp page
“Transphobia, racism and misogyny are but few of the many things that celebrities fear they may be “cancelled” for. Tedious luminaries such as the multi-millionaire authors and former front-men are politically hollow has-beens.”
So familiarise with them again and spread the love especially if you like your synths hard boiled.
“Jellybean” Benitez remixes this track from 1983 and just adds a bit of reverb, no mad dance beats but nicely extended. An ode to the 50’s and with a bit of “Grease” added in there.
As a bonus he does a passionate take on the Sam & Dave “You Got Me Hummin’ ” as a live track.
Also there is a Special Version of “Easy Money” , all very Blues Bros and different from the album version. Annoyingly fading out as it just gets going.
Once again a huge thanks to everyone who has contributed to the blog upkeep pot, all your contributions have been gratefully received.
There are just 7 Days left to dip into your pockets and show your appreciation (link below). The blog doesn’t run itself and the 15 kind donations from an average of 340 daily visitors does seem a bit puzzling😕… but I promise I won’t ask for stuff again.
I’ve got currently got a problem with Depeche Mode, almost to the point of changing the avatar on the blog. They have cashed in and sold out ! The current tour touted from this UK band includes just one date at the cavernous Twickenham Rugby Stadium in South West London. It has hosted Rihanna, Iron Maiden, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Genesis, U2, Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, The Police, Eagles, R.E.M., Eminem, Lady Gaga, and Metallica. and will be hosting Robbie Williams , Tom Jones and Gary Barlow next year, (all edgy stuff). My mate who has a bit of money is dong a Road Trip, 9 gigs , mostly in America and few in Europe including the London one (notice I didn’t mention the UK) The tickets were expensive then and as the scalpers have got hold of them astronomical. I thought about it and won’t be attending. This is a band I’d followed since “Broken Frame” and seen nearly 10 times. It probably an age thing, certainly not a nostalgic thing. I’ve seen it, worn the (tour t shirt) many times, come out of gigs and said to my mate “We won’t see any better than that£ on at least four occasions. With the passing of Fletch and the closing in of the remaining members , (plus those other 2) the DM / Kessler corporate machine is making a last grab at our hard earns but I’m keeping mine in my pocket and playing “Everything Counts” from 101 instead.
Funnily enough I have always had a problem with this twelve. It’s offends my ears and was marketed as a way of extracting more cash , even back then in 1984. I heard it back then and hear it now and just think , “Oh, my God!”
Joseph Watt and Adrian Sherwood get a chance to fiddle around with both “Master and Servant” and “People Are People” butchering any melodies and basically just cocking about.
Watt teases us throughout with loops so we get a snippet of the song, get into the mix then goes off on one. Nearly normal just under the 3 minute mark and then goes off.
*Addendum – It was the Sherwood mix of “Master And Servant” I hated this was just overlong from the master of Razormaid!
Sherwood adds a Doo-wop sample (originally by The Citadels) as he puts the song through the electronic mangler. Beats are reversed and hammered into the mix.
James Watt extends the B-side which I didn’t mind. A proper B-side that again is over extended. A rare mix. Bronski Beat taking notes when that breakdown happens.
(Below more re-ups than re-uppage, bootleg and megamix heaven)
From ’81/’82 and the debut album from Anglo Norwegian Synthpop group Data.
Expect eccentricity, harmonies and euro-pop plus an amazing title track. (Post-Punk Monk likes them!) All under the theme of the Cold War.
The line-up was
Producer, Synthesizer, Guitar, Electronic Percussion Electronic, Drum Programming and vocals – Georg Kajanus (ex-Sailor), Drums – Graham Jarvis and vocals – Frankie Boulter and Phil Boulter (both girls). (Ian Green from 70’s band Charge) helps on Timpani, Recorded at CBS Studios , London. It sounds amazing for the time, clashing the styles and making you listen to a WHOLE album for a change.
“Cuckooland” has the guitar riffs and a rock n roll feel but with Disco Beats. “I Want To Know” has Big Ben chimes and goes off into a bit of a Devo frenzy.
“Fallout” was a single release and has that Moroder bass sequencer sound. Dating back to ’79 it has that late seventies theme of Nuclear fear.
“Star” has elements of ABBA and is quite festive. “Left Right Centre” is a frenetic romp and a bit throwaway. “Life On Video” was probably quite doomy at the time, with it’s quiet instrumental backing and a great vocal performance from the sisters.
“Armageddon” does jump once but it’s fixable (you can do that yourselves can’t you ? Bloody vinyl and all that) Fun with weird cheesy lyrics and a guest appearance from a Concert Cimbalom, (Yes, I had to look it up!) It could be a Sailor track.
“Boys Will Be Boys” is very Glam Disco, catchy and with that clipped rhythm section and witty lyrics.
The title track is a totally unique, a mad classical crossover. It was used as the theme music to the film “Towers Of Babel” which was nominated for a BAFTA award in 1982 and won the Silver Hugo Award for best short film at The Chicago International Film Festival the same year. Going from classical orchestra to Disco to military oratorio in just under 7 minutes.
Still not putting this forward for a Sunday Silly Song, but it could be!
From 1988 and potty-mouthed Performance Artist Finley shrieks derangely about the joys of oral sex. Produced by Mark Kamins with extra keyboards from Miguel Kerstman. It’s not as rude as her other release on here.
Some nice sounds and percussion build up but the bassline immediately dates it.
The Dub Mix is slightly Housey , definitely not New Beat, far too quick but with the same melodramatic synth sounds. No vocals at all.
The Jazzy House Mix is quite cheesy early House but with some great piano flourishes and again no awkward vocals.
DJ Tools include the SExpress sample of “Drop That Ghetto Blaster” and a “Lickapella” !
Electro Funk from 1985 with a computer theme so plenty of bleeps and Kraftwerk beats.
The band from Michigan where influenced heavily by Prince. Lineup: Melvin Riley – lead vocals, John Eaton – bass, Greg Potts – keyboards, Gordon Strozier – lead guitar, Willie Triplett, Jr. – percussion, Gerald Valentine – drums.
All written and produced by the band with Louil Silas Jr. on the mix.
The last tracks are classic DJ tools with a percussion track and a pure Acapella
myvinyldreams 