
And it’s a Cover Version!
From Trojan Horse’s Duke Brothers comes this rework of Department S’s Post Punk track “Is Vic There?” originally released in 1980 so a Forty Year Anniversary remake.
What’s it like ?
Very, very analogue synth. Think early Human League. It comes as part of a 6 track pack with a couple of bonus tracks, not bad for a fiver.
Rumbling bass and insect sequencers plus the strident voice of Eden Duke gives it just the right degree of menace. It judders like a zombie at a Mutant Disco.
The Alternative version even has some freestyle White Noise going on in the mix. It could be recorded back in the early 80’s it that authentic.
The Instrumental is more of a dub of the original mix with bits of treated vocals. Just nothching up the Sinister rating the track has.
The Original Mix does have some very brief phone conversation, I’d hope they would include this as it a crucial moment in the Department S version.
Keeping the 80’s vibe none of the versions are over 4 mins long.
A word on the bonus tracks. “Arthur Lowe” is an instrumental of Space-Age tones and whooshes more Vangelis than Jarre. Think Tomita for the organic, looser feel it has.
“The Leg Up” again examines analogue tones, minimal. Starting with a deep bass then going into de-tuned sequencers. Great on headphones.
I love it when they include an equipment list;
Behringer Poly D synth
Hammond Stage II Rhythm
Moog Subsequent 37 synth
Roland System-1 synth
Roland Tr-8 drum machine
Behringer Odyssey synth
Yamaha Cs1X synth
Roland FA-06 synth
Behringer Deepmind 12 synth
Nord Electro 4
Get it here!
https://chrysalidhomo.bandcamp.com/?fbclid=IwAR26Bvmg_btuZwmTjIdoY2fB9cBbqb98VXcHQeLIqApklol2R7ajjNmIYzw