1980s

With recent discovery made through the long running music blog Systems Of Romance, here’s a first take on this track by the French synth/post-punk group Réseau D’Ombres who were active in the mid to late 1980s.

After acquiring an LP copy of this Canadian band’s first studio LP Avoid Freud in recent travels, this entry looks this track’s impact in queer rock music, as well as a summary of the band in general.

During a recent visit to Vancouver that’s currently wrapping up, a nice haul of records was found, including a number of Canadian underground classics such as this early EP and its title track “Rotting Geraniums” by Moev.

A 1982 classic by this US electro-funk duo from their standout 1983 album Sweat. It’s a track that has some minimal wave parallels and an early version sung by Madonna!

From the band’s groundbreaking 1982 self-titled release, “NCR” merges post-punk attitude with rhythmic electronics in a tense, sombre yet serene tone and has been a favourite for a long time.

“The Facts” by this German music collective combines stark EBM-style electronics and ethnic sounds, released in their self-titled album in 2013, around 30 years after it was originally recorded.

A classic minimal wave track from 1985 by Sweden’s Tres called “Operator”, posted here ahead of their set at this year’s Waveteef festival.

“Themes For Great Cities” by one of my faves from that era, Glasgow’s Simple Minds, opens 1981’s Sister Feelings Call… or Sons And Fascination?

“Reflections” is an italo disco B-Side by Alessandri, which has a structure and chord progression which was used in another similar track before.

The track “Sojourn” US electronic artist Mark Lane‘s 1984 release Who’s Really Listening? builds up into something glorious.

A look at one of my fave tracks from the album The Absence Of A Canary (1981) by Canadian electronic duo Ceramic Hello and how I came to find it.

World Of Rubber by UK post-punk duo Second Layer was lucky find from many years ago, and its closing track “Black Flowers” a moody fave.

Released in 1981, the track “Dark Rooms” by the short-lived Chicago post-punk group DA! goes for slow moving dramatics with accompanying promo video.

“Wheel Of Earth” is a track from one of several early cassette releases that came out in the early 80s from American sound composer Robert Rich.

The first song written by Pailhead, an unlikely collaboration between Fugazi‘s Ian Mackaye and Ministry‘s Al Jourgensen from their sole compiled 1988 release Trait.

The holiday season is here and for various reasons I sort of singled out Mick Karn‘s 1982 album Titles as one to soundtrack the festive period.

November Group were a Boston-based, Europe-leaning post-punk group brought to my attention by a friend I met on tour many years ago.

Of the many one-off italo disco tracks pumped out by Italian studios in the 70s and 80s, it would seem the synths weren’t calibrated for this one!

A space-y yet ominous electro synth number from the only LP of American/German collaboration Jyl, released in 1984 and re-released in 2020.

With darker post-punk music being spoken more and more in many different languages, the band Eirin Peryglus is one of the few I know of sung in Welsh.

A brief look at the track “My Blues Is You” by the classic Italian dark post-punk/new wave group Neon and their fusion of guitars and electronics.