Saturday, June 30, 2012

Best of 1982 - The Album List

The rise of synthesizers continued to shape the landscape of pop music, gaining dominance and emerging as a potential formula for future success. The Human League maintained their chart-topping presence and received the BRIT Award for Best Breakthrough Act, solidifying their status as pioneers of the synth-pop movement. Inspired by their success, other bands such as Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and Soft Cell adopted synthesizers as primary instruments, contributing to the launch of the Second British Invasion in the United States.
This musical invasion introduced new styles, rhythms, and stars to American audiences, with acts like Duran Duran, The Human League, Eurythmics, Billy Idol, and more making a significant impact. However, the era also saw the dissolution of some iconic bands from the late '70s and early '80s, including Blondie, Adam and The Ants, ABBA, and Japan, marking the end of their influential musical journeys.


Friday, June 29, 2012

June Singles Round Up

June is monthly round up is up and here are the highlights. Little Boots has released the second single this year entitled "Headphones" which will be included on her second album to be released this year. Mirrors have returned with a new single "Hourglass", album in the making. Rufus Wainwright has released the second single from his Mark Ronson produced album 'Out of the Game', the single is called "Jericho". "Drifting In And Out" is the second single for Porcelain Raft taken from their/his debut album 'Strange Weekend'. The Vancouver based Petroleum By-Product have released their debut single "Convenient and Cheap/ Rip Apart" for Happy Burro Records. Marsheaux and Twins Natalia have teamed up for a special double cover version 7" disc. Twins Natalia have covered Marsheaux's "Radial Emotion" and Marsheaux have done a version of Twins Natalia's "When We Were Young". It is out and available via Anna Logue Records. And last but not least, Cyndi Lauper is back with a new dance pop hit "Sex is in the Heel" for her new broadway show, Kinky Boots. 
Thanks for keeping up with us. 

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Lost Videos: Front 242- U Men

"U Men" was one of the tracks from Front 242 debut album Geography which was released in april 1982. The single was issued by New Dance and it was backed with "Ethics". Sadly there is not much info about this great rare Front 242 video which is available on YouTube. 

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Out This Week: Parallels- XII

Toronto-based electro pop outfit Parallels have released a follow up to their debut album "Visionaries" which was issued in 2010. The new album announces lighter italo pop sound with synth starlight which is a result of the split between Cameron Findlay and Holly Dodson who were working together on their debut album. The album release was preceded by 'Time Will Crawl' EP which was released in May. The new album is available on vinyl and CD and it is out on Marigold Records.  

www.parallels.fm
 

New Collaborative Album by David Byrne and St.Vincent 'Love This Giant' Announced for September

4AD have announced the release of 'Love This Giant', an album which is a collaboration between David Byrne and Annie Clark (St. Vincent). David and Annie started working on this album round the fall of 2009 after being approached by Housing Works to write and perform a night of new music for charity. The concept of the album is centered around a brass band and it is announced for September 10th. It will be followed by 24-date tour starting September 15th. 
 
http://lovethisgiant.com

Monday, June 25, 2012

Retrovision: Pet Shop Boys- It's A Sin

Pet Shop Boys topped the UK charts in June 1982 reaching No1 with "It's a Sin" which remained one of their biggest hits to date and one of the best selling singles of 1987. Written by Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant, "It's a Sin" was the lead single from the duo's second album 'Actually'. The video for the song was directed by Derek Jarman and it marked the experimental director's first of several collaborations with the band.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Blancmange Announce 'The Very Best Of' Compilation for July

Blancmange have announced the release of their new greatest hist compilation 'The Very Best of ' for July 16, 2012. This bumper collection, which follows their recent sell-out UK tour, has been designed and compiled in consultation with Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe. It includes all their UK hits, plus some rare John Peel sessions and an airing of a track from a forthcoming project. The two CD compilation which also includes 12" versions of the songs will be out Music Club Deluxe. 

 http://www.demonmusicgroup.co.uk/

 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

John Maus Rare and Unreleased

Synth master John Maus is back with a brand new compilation which includes rarities and previously unreleased material and which spans eleven years of his creative output. 'A Collection of Rarities and Previously Unreleased Material' will be released by Ribbon Music on July 16, 2012 and it features songs which have appeared on previous compilations as well as songs that have never been released on any format, nor across any media. Songs on the compilation have been entirely remixed and remastered and the artwork and design was arranged by Turner Prize winning artist Wolfgang Tillmans. 
LP version is a limited one time pressing of 3000 hand numbered copies and comes with a mp3 download card. Pre-order is only available for the CD and Special Edition Translucent Pink Vinyl LP (limited to 500) at present. The standard edition black vinyl LP (limited to 2500) will be available to pre-order shortly.

http://ribbon.dominorecordco.com

 

Monday, June 18, 2012

Next Wave: Terror Bird

Terror Bird is a project by the Canadian artist Nikki Never which took shape probably in 2009 when she released her debut album Sociopaths Are Glam for 'Night People'. Since then, she has released another three albums for several different record labels including her latest album Secret Rituals which was issued by the German record label Adagio830. The music of Terror Bird was influenced by the Smiths, David Bowie, Kate Bush and many others and it is haunted and ethereal bedroom pop driven by wonderful piano and synth arrangements and guided by Nikki's powerful and affecting voice. Nikki is currently touring Europe with Bianka Karre.

  

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Brand New Frankie Goes To Hollywood Compilation 'Sexmix' Announced for August

A brand new Frankie Goes To Hollywood compilation is set for release this summer. Their record label ZTT and Salvo Music are set to release a new two-CD compilation which collects together rare and unearthed material from original cassette singles, CD singles and shines a light on favourite B-side material. The compilation is entitled 'Sexmix: Archive Tapes and Studio Adventures, Volume One' and  features all seven of Frankie‘s UK singles in one form or another, from "Relax" to "Watching The Wildlife". The compilation also features some rarities such as the CD debut of the full 'Welcome To The Pleasuredome' cassette single  and unique, remastered mixes of 'Rage Hard and Warriors of the Wasteland' which have been out-of-print for a quarter of a century. 
'Sexmix' is coming on 6 August, and boasts this splendid front cover which perfectly captures the spirit of Frankie Goes To Hollywood circa 1984. 

Source

 

Friday, June 15, 2012

Out This Week: Piano Magic- ''Life Has Not Finished With Me Yet''

Piano Magic's brand new album is out now. The record is entitled 'Life Has Not Finished With Me Yet' and it was released by Second Language on Monday June 11th. The album is available on CD in an 8 panel concertina wallet. Subscribers and those ordering from the Second Language website will also receive an exclusive ltd edition 4 track CD EP, 'Chemical' EP and 2 limited edition Piano Magic pin badges.

 www.piano-magic.co.uk

 

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Out This Week: iamamiwhoami- Kin

The long awaited new iamamiwhoami album 'Kin' is ready and waiting for you in the shops. This is the first full-length album by the Swedish singer-songwriter Jonna Lee. 'Kin' gained attention on the internet due to video chapters from the album being released online beginning since 2009. All the tracks from the album were previously released as singles from the first track "Sever" which was released in January all the way to "Goods" released a week before the actual album release. The album is available digital, Vinyl LP, CD and DVD and in the shops since Monday June 11, 2012. 


 

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Pet Shop Boys Announce a New Album for September

Pet Shop Boys have announced the release of their brand new album Elysium for September. Their eleventh studio album was produced by Andrew Dawson and Pet Shop Boys in Los Angeles and it will be issued by Parlophone. To give an idea of the album’s sound, a short film for the album track “Invisible” can be viewed through their official website.

Monday, June 11, 2012

30 Years of Bananarama on CD/DVD

Bananarama are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year with the release of '30 Years of Bananarama' CD/DVD. The CD will feature their greatest hits including "What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)", "Cruel Summer", "I Want You Back", "Venus" and many more. The anthology will include a DVD of all 35 video clips of their extraordinary 30 years, released official for the first time. The compilation will be released in the UK on July 9th. 
Check out Bananarama Official for more info. 

Retrovision: Samantha Fox- Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now

Samantha Fox topped the UK charts in June 1987 with "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now" and reached #13. The song was produced by Stock-Atiken-Waterman and it was taken from her self titled second album. The music video was filmed in Marbella, Spain. Samantha Fox is shown using several forms of locomotion including a Sunseeker XPS 34 motorboat, a horse, an Alfa Romeo Spider, a Cessna Skymaster, and a BMX bike. 
If you are a fan you might be interested in the newly announced Samantha Fox reissues which include the first four albums. Touch Me (1986), Samantha Fox (1987), I Wanna Have Some Fun (1989) and Just One Night (1991) have all been digitally remastered and they will be presented as double-disc sets featuring a heap of dance mixes and a generous amount of rare and unreleased material from the vaults. All four sets will be out in the U.K. on June 25, 2012 and they are available on pre-order through Cherry Red. 

Friday, June 8, 2012

Instant Hit: Patrick Cowley feat Paul Parker- Right on Target

San Francisco based hi-NRG singer and performer Paul Parker released his second single "Right on Target" in 1982. This song was produced by Patrick Cowley and it remained his biggest hit to date. The single was issued as both 7" and 12" single and it was backed by "Pushin' Too Hard" which was written by Sky Saxon. "Right on Target" was released through several different record labels including Megatron Records and Polydor.   

 

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Paul Buchanan in 'Mid Air'

Paul Buchanan of The Blue Nile is back with his debut solo album. 'Mid Air' is a collection of short, slow songs, all featuring Buchanan's immaculate voice accompanied by a piano and some subtle strings. The  was self-released on his own Newsroom Records on May 21, 2012. and it entered the UK charts at number 14. 'Mid Air' is available through Paul Buchanan's official site.

 http://paulbuchanan.com/

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

WAW: Soft Riot- You Can't Please Everyone

Soft Riot is back with a new promo video for the song "You Can't Please Everyone", taken from their debut EP 'Another Drone in Your Head' which was released earlier this year on Tundra Dubs. This song is also included on 'Hyperbolic Masses', a limited edition cassette released in May. The cassette will be available at live shows over the coming months as well by mail order through their official site. More info about the forthcoming live shows in June. here

Monday, June 4, 2012

In Conversation: David Hewson (Poeme Electronique)

David Hewson, a prominent British composer renowned for his exceptional scores in television and film, is equally recognized as the founder and creative force behind Poeme Electronique, a musical endeavor he established in the early 80s. While many associate Poeme Electronique with their debut "Echoes Fade" released in 1982, the resonance of their impact has endured, and now, Poeme Electronique makes a triumphant return.

In an exclusive interview, David shares insights into his early musical journey, the inception of Poeme Electronique, his diverse range of musical projects, and exciting plans for the future. Join us as we delve into three decades of music with David Hewson and discover the compelling story behind Poeme Electronique's enduring legacy. Enjoy the interview!



Marsheaux Release 'E-Bay Queen is Dead' Compilation

Marsheaux have released a compilation of unreleased material from their archives. The compilation is entitled 'E-Bay Queen Is Dead' and features some of the tracks for the first time released on CD, unreleased ones, demos as well as rejected tracks and unreleased cover versions. Among others, there are covers of "Regret" by New Order, "Empire State Human" by The Human League and "Eyes Without a Face" by Billy Idol. The compilation will be available at their gigs and a very limited quantity will be sold through Undo Records store from June 1st.

More info:
marsheaux.wordpress.com

 

Related Post