A Certain Ratio - Peel Sessions

To change it up a bit..Here's a nice little bunch of Peel Sessions from A Certain Ratio spanning from '79-'82.. Enjoy!


+favorite track'Choir' full albums link below+


First Session- (air date) 17/10/1979

Do The Do
All Night Party
Flight
The Choir

Second Session (air date) 02/07/1981

Day One
Skipscada
Knife Slits Water

Third Session (air date) 01/12/1982

Who's To Say
Piu Lento
Touch

Invincible - Venus (1999) UK

So YES the Chameleons are over and done..even though one doesn't want to except it. Bringing forth to life three of the most life changing albums to grace ones ears, thus something very hard to live up to. But talent always transends time and that is apparent with Mark Burgess' work with Invincible. Along with Yves Altana a strong partnership is built and is clearly reflected in the work that went into this lushly arranged album. Venus is an album that really grows on you with each listen, especially such tracks as ' Only You Could Save Me', 'Venus on the Rise' and 'Verboten'

Asides Burgess' other collaborations with The Sons Of God and Bird, Invincible is one of my favorite projects since The Sun and The Moon. Maybe because its the direction I really wanted the Chameleon's to go with their reunion album Why Call It Anything, which was released the following year. What really is the difference between Burgess' work with the Chameleons and Invincible ? The anwser.....Yves Altana, with his stellar skills on guitar and production. The work Burgess did with him on Venus is FAR more impressive.

+Favorite track'Only You could save me' full album link below+


Invincible -Venus (1999)

1. Venus On The Rise

2. Spooks

3. Think (It's Going To Happen)

4. Do It Tomorrow

5. Dangerous

6. Shiver

7. Burning Bibles

8. Verboten

9. Gethsemene

10. Seventeen

11. Only You Could Save Me

12. Kinks

13. Think (Again)

White Rose Transmission 1995(Germany, UK)

White Rose Transmission started in 1995 as a collaboration between Carlo van putten (vocalist of The Convent and Dead Guitars) and Adrian Borland (The Sound). The name is inspired from two different things, the story of Hans and Sophie Scholl, two members of the german anti-nazi organisation "Die Weiße Rose" (The White Rose). They dropped anti-nazi propaganda flyers at several universities in Germany during the second world war. Both were executed by the nazi's. That's how the first part of the name came about. Secondly It was Borland's idea to add the word 'Transmission'.

"We keep transmitting; hope you are receiving".

Many other artist participated in the following albums including Mark Burgess (ex Chameleons,The Sun and The Moon, Bird) Amanda Palmer (Dresden Dolls) Marty Wilson Piper ( The Church, All About Eve) Yves Altana (guitarist for Bird and The Sons Of God). The first self-titled release is filled with back to back tracks where each one is stronger then the one that procedes it. The shining star of the album is 'Silver Age', where the vocals and orchestration omit a yearning and a suffering beauty all accompanied by incredible lyrics .

White Rose Transmission (1995) +Indigo+

Unkissable
Die Dunkle
In Your Hands
Sister Sweetness
Vapour
Street of Flowers
Allein
Thorn of a Rose
The Silver age
Indian Summer
The Hell Of It
Kugel der einsamkeit

Slowdive- I'm the Elephant U are the Mouse unreleased film score

This post is for Aaron, who requested a copy of this awhile ago. A breathtaking compilation from Slowdive that unfortunately never saw the light of day.
The only litle bit of info that I do have is that it was the unreleased film score for the Film 'Pure' (Im the Elephant U are the Mouse original title) +check the link for more info+
For the longest time I had murkey uncut demos and finally was able to get ahold of crystal copies from the mastertapes.

Slowdive-Im the Elephant U are the Mouse Soundtrack(1999) +unreleased+
1. intro
2. ambient
3. amb - alt version
4. beginning (4 parts)
5. beginning, pt. 2
6. cranium (film mix)
7. i believe
8.cranium film mix
9.watch me (film mix)
10. Like up
11. Like up (demo rough mix)
12. Money
13. opening
14. Painting lost
15. riverman (final version)
16. riverman 2 #2
17. riverman 3 #1
18. riverman 3 #2
19. riverman 2 #1

THE CURTAIN SOCIETY - LIFE IS LONG, STILL 1996 (USA)

Circa 1988 Shoegaze, dreampop act from Southbridge, MA . The Curtain Society like some of their earlier music contemporaries The House of Love, The Stone Roses and The Ocean Blue, their sound manages to blend the blurry atmospheres of the popular 4AD scene.
Life is Long Still is their second full length album, superbly composed moody, atmospheric noise.

Back in July 2009, The Curtain Society played with Mark Burgess of The Chameleons, here's a video from that show.

The Curtain Society-Life Is Long Still (1996) +Bedazzled records+

Mouthwithout
Life is long still
Amber
Je Regrette Rein
Spacer
I Refuse
Apnea
Riverful
Idiotgrin
Stealing Shakespeare
Lemonsong
Higher Star
Chevelle

The Past Seven Days - Raindance 7" (1981)

The Past Seven Days were a sheffield band on the 4AD label, but unfortunately left 4AD and signed to DinDisc. Dispite switching labels this 4AD release was sadly the only thing that was ever put out by them.

'Raindance' is simply 6 mins of tranquil, melodic beauty.

+Favorite track 'RAINDANCE' full 7" link below+


The Past Seven Days-Raindance 7" (1981 ) 4AD

side A
Raindance
side B
So Many Others

* This track can also be found on The Natures Mortes compilation put out by 4AD
the whole comp. can be found here

Laughing House - Democracy EP (UK) 1987

I decided to dig this next posting out for Antonio and of coarse do a well over due write up and give this band some well deserved exposure. For the longest time this band always remained a bit of a mystery to me, no info could be found, or even any of their material could be located. The only thing I had was one track thrown on a mixed tape for me ( remember the days when we use to all exchange the 'mixed tape' ) And to my misfortune..a few years went past before I even gave the tape a listen..there was a few interesting tracks on there but one stood out and impressed me greatly 'walking on my own' from Laughing House. By this time of coarse I lost contact with this friend and couldn't find out more about Laughing House. Well years later thanks to the Information superhighway I sent the singer a message..and got more then I would ever expect. Freddie and Rob the two brothers in Laughing House ending up being such lovely gentlemen and mailed me a copy of the 12" Democracy ep .

Laughing House are from Coventry and formed sometime in '84 by the two brothers Freddie (vocals/guitar) and Rob (bass) and shortly gained a really great drummer, Steve. And for 5 years played a slew of gigs around the midlands, recorded an ep and a 9 track cassette put out by a local label, Sonar in '87. They ended up grabbing the attention of a few major labels but unfortunately nothing came out of it and Freddie left in '89, shortly after Laughing House decided to call it quits. Recently after 20 years, the guys got back together and played a gig on November 4th, 2009 at the Spencer Club in Coventry.

So now I provide for you all with their only offical release Democracy that was 'Created solely for the cure of all weaknesses of men. They positively guarantee it to cure all forms of nervous debility, impotency spermatorrhea, night emissions, shrunken parts, nervousness, forgetfulness, confusion of ideas, lame back, languor dyspepsia, rhuematism, kidney and bladder complaint, and the many evils resulting from secret habits in youth or passionate excesses in maturer years. They guarantee this stereophonic recording to enlarge shrunken or undeveloped organs, or no pay !

Will appeal to those who like Comsat Angels, early U2, The Scars, and Killing Joke

Democracy Ep (1987)

On Sonar Records

+Tracks listing+

side A
Wasted
Take The Mask Away
Side B
Decline and Fall
Walking On My Own






There are still copies of this EP floating around .. Sonar Records has a few left in Stock.

Afterimage - Fade In 12" ep (USA)

AfterImage came out during the blooming LA underground music scene sometime in 1980. They haunted local clubs such as the Whisky, The Hong Kong Café, Club 88 and the Brave Dog, playing with the likes of Suburban Lawns, Savage Republic, and Middle Class. In 1981 they released one 7" single and a 12" ep Fade In, a very powerful debut EP containing the usual moody post punk formula of 'thunderous rhythum, threatening bass, and haunting vocals'.

AfterImage were :
vocals and sax: Daniel Voznick (aka Alec Tension)
guitar and keyboards: A Produce
bass: Rich Evac
drums: Holland DeNuzzio



+Favorite track'SATELLITE OF LOVE' full album link below+

AfterImage- Fade In 12" ep 1981 released on * Contagion Records*

Tracklisting*
Side A
Surf Generator/Part Of The Threat
Relapse
Soundtrack
Side B
Afterimage
Satellite of Love
No Dreams

Zorch Factory Records – Label - France

To shake up the usual content I decided to write something about a concept that is very dear to my heart, Net Labels. And the most interesting one, in my opinion, is Zorch Factory Records.

It was founded by Manu/Zorch how was involved in Projects and Bands like Camp Z, Sleeping Children, Zorch Factor and The Vertigo Smile. But besides being a platform to promote his own stuff, he opened it up for other Projects and bands to. The Label features bands from a lot of different genres, some more and some less prominent.

The Thing that I appreciate and respect the most about this Label is the fact that they publicize the music under the creative commons license. This 'basically' means that it’s free to download the music from the homepage.
(See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ for more information)

The reason for my love for little projects like this is based on my whole (maybe naive) concept that music is art, and that art should be accessible for everyone. This (mostly) young and struggling Bands can use a platform like Zorch Factory Records to get their work out in the open, to make a name for them self. Being an idealist, when it comes to that, I just have to respect any band that provides their music for free.

But to get back to the actual Label, you will find work from artists like:

Joy/Disaster
Camp Z
The Red Crayon Aristocrat Club
Acid Bats
The Cementary Girlz
Crimson Muddle
General Decay
Los Carniceros Del Norte
Monozid
Droserae
T.S.O.L.
and many more…

I highly recommend this Site for anybody that is interested in given new Bands a chance. There is a whole bunch of great stuff to discover there.

And if for nothing else, you should at least go there to check out the Crimson Muddle EP. (Expect a whole article about this wonderful Band very soon.)

http://www.zorchfactoryrecords.com/

Nichts 81-83 Germany (Reunited 2009)

Nichts

Nichts was one of this German Bands that came up just when this awful NDW (Neue deutsche Welle) was picking up momentum. Thanks to the fact that it was created by two Members of the legendary Punk Band KFC it was far from this Euro-Trash that floated around the Record-Stores around this time. Nichts may have borrowed a few things from what was going on in the music scene in Germany back then, but kept it’s Punk flavor.

Their first Demo Tape “Made in Eile” was picked up by the local Record-label “Schallmauer-Records”. It became a surprise success. After some ridicules controversy about releasing a single over CBS Records, they released their second album “Tango 2000” in 1982. The song “Tango 2000” became a huge hit, and is what the Band is most remembered for. This second album is still fun, but at least feels a lot closer to the dreaded NDW then their first one. After the release the base and the guitar player decided to leave the Band. In 1983 the Album “Aus dem Jenseits” was released, played by a new lineup.

In my opinion the very first Album/Demo Tape is still the best, it carries the strong punk vibe that seemed like a leftover from the KFC days.

If you are interested in German music that was sold under the Flag of NDW but in reality was a beast of it’s own, you should really give it at least a try.





01 Radio
02 Eingeschlossen
03 Hallo Kartoffelsalat
04 10 Bier zuviel
05 Allein zuhaus
06 Scheisse
07 Wer du bist
08 Made in Eile
09 Nichts

DOWNLOAD

In 2009 they reunited with a new lineup (yet again) and are playing gigs again. Hopefully with the same rough chaotic force they were famous for when they started in 1981.