The Sound "In the Hothouse" (1985) (live)

In the Hothouse (live)
release date: Nov. 1985
format: 2 lp vinyl (gatefold - STAT DLP 1)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]
producer: Jon King and Mark Wade (recorded by)
label: Statik Records - nationality: England, UK

Double live album by The Sound from two live concerts at The Hothouse (The Marquee) London, Aug. 27/28, 1985. The album is the last on Statik who went bankrupt after the release.

[ collectors' item - 'near mint' ]

Bauhaus "Bauhaus 1979-1983" (1985)

org. vinyl issue

Bauhaus 1979-1983 (compilation)
release date: Nov. 1985
format: 2 cd (1986 cd-issue)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: Bauhaus
label: Beggars Banquet - nationality: England, UK

Compilation album by Bauhaus originally released as a double vinyl album containing 23 tracks. In 1986 the album was issued as two separate cd releases titled Bauhaus 1979-1983 - Volume One and Bauhaus 1979-1983 - Volume Two. The two cd discs are enhanced versions of the vinyl release and contain the same tracks with 3 and 5 bonus tracks respectively.
Two Beggars Banquet official best of albums exists: this and the single album release Crackle from 1998 released during the first time Bauhaus re-united. The '98 album may be seen as a reduced best of, as it contains 16 tracks that one will also find on this album. The only differences are the playing order and a decision to 'only' include the live-version of "Bela Lugosi's Dead" on 1979-1983, which has the single-version on the '98 album. But apart from that, I think this album is the best as it consequently enlists the songs in a chronological order, whereas Crackle has the tracks all mixed together, and that, I think generally speaking, is a crime when making 'best of' albums.
It's all right to have a two disc best of compilation with this band - my only objection is with regards to some of the tracks included, and I know, it's NOT called "Best of Bauhaus", because why would anyone include tracks like "Dancing", "Hair of the Dog", "Paranoia, Paranoia", "Swing the Heartache", and "Satori"??? Just because there's room for more tracks doesn't mean we want it all, which is why I would hand the original double vinyl version 4,5 / 5 stars and the cd issue 3,5 / 5 stars. It's not that the band didn't produce enough great songs it's more that there're simply just too many rarities on the two cd releases to make maintain the greatness.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]

1986 CD issue,
Volume One

    

1986 CD issue,
Volume Two

Gangway "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" (1985) (single)

Once Bitten, Twice Shy, single
release date: 1985
format: digital
[single rate: 3,5 / 5]

Tracklist: A) 1. "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" (4 / 5) (live performance at the Danish Live Aid project Music for Africa, 1985) - - B) 1. "Can You Believe This?" (3 / 5)

Single release by Gangway originally a 7'' vinyl disc released on Irmgardz and reissued on the compilation album Re-Master Piecies (2002) in an alternate version. The A-side was included on the second album Sitting in the Park. The B-side is not that bad but more of a lounge and jazz pop composition.

Moby "Animal Rights" (1996)

Animal Rights
release date: Sep. 23, 1996
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,98]
producer: Moby, Alan Moulder
label: Mute Records - nationality: USA

4th studio album by Moby following a year and a half after Everything Is Wrong.
Stylistically, this is something completely different, to say it mildly. On this, Moby has turned away from the electronic genre that he has released music in up until now. Apparently, he was unsatisfied with the reception his music was given and returned to play the hardcore punk rock and alt. rock that he listened to as a teenager.
Animal Rights was generally met by negative reviews and didn't attract record buyers making it an even bolder failure than his previous attempts.
Yes, it's guitar-based, aggressive hardcore punk and as far away from what he previously had been (as well as later on would become) associated with as he possibly could, but musically it isn't all bad. It's well-composed and loyal to the genre and showcases some originality. I just don't find it all that enjoyable.
Not recommended.
[ allmusic.com, The Guardian 2 / 5, Rolling Stone, Mojo 3 / 5, NME 4 / 5 stars ]

Sigur Rós "Von" (1997)

Von [debut]
Release date: Jun. 14, 1997
format: cd
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,68]
producer: Sigur Rós

label: Smekkleysa Records - nationality: Iceland

Track highlights: 4. "Myrkur" - 7. "Hafssól" - 9. "Von"

Studio album debut by Sigur Rós released on Smekkleysa Records [Icelandic for 'Bad Taste Records'] and produced by the band. The album only had its release in Iceland in '97 and then was reissued in 2004 on One Little Indian. The album is rather different from most later releases by the band, as it's much more experimental. In that sense it's a strong and daring release for a debut, although, the story goes that the band upon hearing the result after long struggles with studio sessions, basically had wanted to start all over because they felt that the result was too far away from their initial ideas. Financially, they couldn't dump the recordings and start anew, so it was released as is.
I think some of the tracks could be inspired by noise pop, noise rock bands like Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, and then other more ambient compositions with a certain Brian Eno, Talk Talk touch, which really makes it a rather diverse pond of inspirational sources. The result is rather original, although, it's also related to Godspeed You Black Emperor! and some releases by Mogwai; however, Sigur Rós really precedes these two bands.
I don't think it's one of their best albums, as the music is too much of a vast pond - like something that needs more direction. There's space rock, neo-psychedelic, and experimental rock in a huge blend, which makes it difficult to follow. It has moments but the end result isn't more than a mediocre but somewhat interesting [giving the band's later works] first draft.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5 stars ]

Frank Sinatra "The Voice" (1983)

The Voice (compilation)
release date: 1983
format: vinyl (DN 6211)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: various
label: Reprise / Dominion / K-Tel - nationality: USA

Compilation album by Frank Sinatra containing 18 tracks originally issued on Reprise Records.

Dead Kennedys "Plastic Surgery Disasters" (1982)

Plastic Surgery Disasters
release date: Nov. 1982
format: vinyl (VIRUS 27) / cd
[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,38]
producer: East Bay Ray, Thom Wilson
label: Alternative Tentacles / Statik Records - nationality: USA

Tracklist: A) 1. "Government Flu" (4 / 5) - 2. "Terminal Preppie" (5 / 5) - 3. "Trust Your Mechanic" (4 / 5) - 4. "Well Paid Scientist" (4,5 / 5) - 5. "Buzzbomb" (4 / 5) - 6. "Forest Fire" (4 / 5) - 7. "Halloween" (5 / 5) - 8. "Winnebago Warrior" (5 / 5) - - B) 1. "Riot" (4 / 5) - 2. "Bleed for Me" (4,5 / 5) (studio session) - 3. "I Am the Owl" (4 / 5) - 4. "Dead End" (4 / 5) - 5. "Moon Over Marin" (5 / 5)

2nd studio album release by Dead Kennedys, and my favourite album by the band. This is where they told all kind of stories about what goes wrong around the world, and the style is not one-dimensional as on the debut. Overall, it's punk rock, and mostly hardcore punk but elements of surf rock, rockabilly, rock 'n roll, psychedelic rock, and Ennio Morricone western movie soundtrack elements are heard on various tracks. The band's lyrics are not only focused on looking at the present administration or on one hate subject. The vinyl lp has a lovely collages 'scrapbook' (which initiated a tradition to include a scrapbook of some sort with their following two studio albums) with the fascinating art work of Winston Smith (who made art work and front covers for all their studio albums). I loved this album and bought it upon its release in '82, and I spent many hours listening to the album while looking into lyrics and collages. The front cover by photographer Michael Wells is like the music: right in the face: get it, morons?!
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]
=> needledrop review

1982 Favourite releases: 1. Laurie Anderson Big Science - 2. Dead Kennedys Plastic Surgery Disasters - 3. Elvis Costello & The Attractions Imperial Bedroom

The Crash "Wildlife" (2001)

Wildlife

release date: Sep. 21, 2001
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,64]
producer: Teemu Brunila
label: Evidence - nationality: Finland

Track highlights: 1. "Star" (4 / 5) - 2. "Empty" (3 / 5) - 3. "Lauren Caught My Eye" (4 / 5) - 5. "New York" - 7. "Simple Things" - 9. "Phoebe"

2nd studio album release by The Crash following a slightly mediocre 1999 debut with Comfort Deluxe - and what an improvement this is! Musically, they still play indie pop but this time they have much better material, and it's really only a mystery as to why this album wasn't an international hit. Of course, the international music press, and the national radio stations, etc. all know too well that Finland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Poland, and many other countries simply do not make great pop music... And what a pity they have such power 'cause this is a gem.
Highly recommended.

The Southern Death Cult "The Southern Death Cult" (1983)

The Southern Death Cult (compilation)
release date: 1983
format: vinyl (BEGA 46) / digital (1996 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,36]
producer: various
label: Beggars Banquet - nationality: England, UK

Only album by The Southern Death Cult is a compilation album released after the disbandment. The album consists of a mix of studio recordings, demos, and live recordings. Credited band members on the album are: Ian Robert Astbury on vocals, David 'Buzz' Burroughs on guitars, Barry Jepson on bass and Haq Nawaz 'Aky' Qureshi on drums. After the disbandment, Astbury formed the band The Death Cult with former Theatre of Hate guitarist Billy Duffy - that formation later bacame the more successful band The Cult.

Moby "Everything Is Wrong" (1995)

Everything Is Wrong
release date: Mar. 13, 1995
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,52]
producer: Moby
label: Elektra / Mute - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Hymn" - 2. "Feeling So Real" - 3. "All That I Need Is to Be Loved" - 5. "Everytime You Touch Me" - 6. "Bring Back My Happiness" - 13. "When It's Cold I'd Like to Die"

3rd studio album release by Moby - or actually, it's only his second intended album release, as his former label Instinct Records in the aftermath of his successful debut album decided to release the album Ambient in August '93 when Moby was in the process of signing a record deal with British independent label, Mute Records - an album of quite different material, as indicated by the title and completely without Moby's knowledge.
Everything Is Wrong is both the natural follow-up to his poignant debut but also something quite different. The album starts off with his techno, downtempo trademark, but with the two tracks "All That I Need Is to Be Loved" and "What Love?" he introduces a fascination for punk rock mixed with a hardcore rave and alt. metal electronic style, which takes the album in a completely different direction; however, other tracks are almost exact opposites with ambient bits and as natural contrasts but also merry soul and funk-styled compositions (e.g. the M People-like "Everytime You Touch Me") scattered across the album serve as counterparts to the fierce angry punk rock attitude.
Overall one could imagine the whole album as way too complex with tracks pointing in all sorts of directions, but with Moby you already here understand that "Everything isn't just wrong" - quite contrary in fact it's here a proven mission accomplished.
Frankly, I missed out this at the time of the release, and today I find it difficult to choose between his first two albums as they both seem essential.
I like it, it's gooood.
[ allmusic.com, Spin 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5, Q Magazine 3 / 5 stars ]

Robyn "Robyn Is Here" (1995)

Robyn Is Here [debut]
release date: Oct. 14, 1995
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,04]
producer: Ghost [aka Ulf Lindström & Johan Ekhé]
label: BMG - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: 3. "You've Got That Somethin' " - 4. "Do You Know (What It Takes)" - 6. "Just Another Girlfriend" - 8. "Do You Really Want Me"

Studio album debut by Robyn (aka Robin Miriam Carlsson) with various producers, although Ghost is credited on 7 of the album's 13 tracks.
The album is a dance-pop and typical American contemporary r&b. Not as such, something I would ordinarily listen much to; however, the second single release "Do You Really Want Me" became a major hit and was played everywhere that year (the first single from the album was track #3), and also "Do You Know (What It Takes)", which was released in '96 got much airplay, so everyone knew Robyn had landed.
My only interest in this is due to her later releases, and I picked it up at a second-hand store around 2011 in order to make it a full discography of her studio albums. It's nicely produced and Robyn already here shows what a talented songwriter she is, and she initiates her formula co-writing her songs with selected songwriters / producers. Ulf Lindström and Johan Ekhé are credited as co-writers on the seven tracks they have produced like is the case for Christian Falk, and the producer-duo Anders Bagge and Harry Sommerdahl.
Most of the songs sound like echoes of American pop by Madonna and her followers, which is really not my preferred music. There's much copying and only little originality.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

Richard Hawley "Lowedges" (2003)

Lowedges
release date: Feb. 10, 2003
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,38]
producer: Kevin Bacon, Collin Elliot, Jonathan Quarmby, Richard Hawley
label: V2 Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Run for Me" - 2. "Darlin' " - 3. "Oh My Love" - 6. "You Don't Miss Your Water (Till Your River Runs Dry)"

2nd studio album by Richard Hawley (originally issued by Setanta Records) and the follow-up to his acclaimed debut continues the style of gentle crooner chamber pop and Hawley's classic surf-guitar sound. Critics all agreed that the album was up there among the very best of the year, but the vast crowd of record buyers didn't notice the album. But yes, it's very nice and very fine album, once again.
[ allmusic.com, The Guardian, Q Magazine 4 / 5 stars ]

Frank Zappa "Joe's Garage Act I" (1979)

Joe's Garage Act I
release date: Sep. 17, 1979
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5]

Track highlights: 2. "Joe's Garage" - 3. "Catholic Girls" - 5. "Fembot in a Wet T-Shirt" (live)

A rock opera or maybe better: a conceptual album in 3 parts. I don't think this is his best work. It appears as 'form over matter' - it seems to me that the story, the conceptual idea, and lyrics became too important.

"Rough Trade Records / MNW" (1983)

Rough Trade Records / MNW (compilation)
released: 1983
format: vinyl (MNWX 3)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: various
label: Rough Trade / MNW - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: A) 1. Aztec Camera "Pillar to Post" - 5. The Gist "Love at First Sight" - - B) 4. The Go-Betweens "Cattle and Cane" - 5. Robert Wyatt "Shipbuilding" (live)

An interesting compilation of various artists by Rough Trade / MNW from the early 1980s showcasing some new tendencies in music styles. The album is a Scandinavian release only and issued with Scandinavian label MNW.
I think, some of the artists and tracks are of little interest but the album really contains fine music, and thanks to this album, I came to know of Aztec Camera and The Go-Betweens. I'm not particularity a big fan of Robert Wyatt but his version of Elvis Costello's wonderful classic is another fine tune [here's the original].

Rum 37 "Mellem rum" (2012)

Mellem rum [debut]

release date: Oct. 22, 2012

format: cd (TARGETCD1222)

[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,98]

producer: Stefan Boman

label: Target Records - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "De stærke" - 2. "Alle her beundrer dig" - 3. "Dagen er ny" - 4. "Sølvstænk" - 6. "Alt hvad vi har"

Full-length studio album by Rum 37 following the ep Rum 37 (Dec. 2011). For this, the quartet has managed to get hold of Kent-producer Stefan Boman, who may also have been there for the ep. Now, he secures a sound than closely follows that of Kent anno 2005 when they released Du & jag döden. Three tracks from the Rum 37 ep are included here, and they don't appear as new recordings, which makes me suspect that Boman also stood behind the 2011 release.

Mellem rum ["Between Spaces"] doesn't add or subtrack from what we heard on the ep. The band still strikes me as someone who could do very well making tribute concerts for Kent, Love Shop, or Suede, but as an original band with something new to offer they still have to walk other paths.

The album comes with ten tracks and a total running time of 43 minutes but if we subtract the running times of the songs from the ep, they only give us 28 minutes of new material. Another issue is that the songs more or less play on the same matrice one after the other. It's uptempo indie rock with room for guitar and chorus but no song in particular stand out as one to remember. You could say it's quite coherent, though, but that doesn't do it alone. So back on the horse guys, and make something essential.

Alex Turner "Submarine" (OST) (2011) (ep)

Submarine, ep (soundtrack)
release date: Mar. 14, 2011
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,92]
producer: James Ford
label: Domino Recording Company - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 2. "Hiding Tonight" (3 / 5) - 3. "Glass in the Park" (3 / 5) - 5. "Stuck on the Puzzle" (3,5 / 5) - 6. "Piledriver Waltz"

Solo album debut by Arctic Monkeys' lead singer and guitarist Alex Turner is a 6-track ep with songs for the movie "Submarine" by Richard Ayoade. The songs are singer / songwriter material mainly only with Turner on vocals and acoustic guitar. A few tracks feature drums, keyboards, bass and strings, but still shaped as singer / songwriter material. Both "Hiding Tonight" and "Glass in the Park" are fine quiet songs but they do really make me think of Richard Hawley, whom Turner apparently said had made the album-of-the-year when Arctic Monkeys was handed the Mercury Prize in 2006 for its debut album - something I agree on.
[ allmusic.com, Independent 3 / 5 stars ]

Madness "The Rise & Fall" (1982)

The Rise & Fall
release date: Nov. 1982
format: vinyl (SEEZ 46) / cd (2010 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,92]
producer: Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley
label: Stiff Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Rise and Fall" - 2. "Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)" - 3. "Blue Skinned Beast" (5 / 5) - 4. "Primrose Hill" - 6. "" - 7. "Our House" (5 / 5) - 10. "That Face" - 11. "Calling Cards" - 12. "Are You Coming (With Me)" - 13. "Madness (It's All in the Mind)"

4th studio album by Madness is like all of their former studio albums produced by Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley. While recording the songs for the album, Stiff released the band's first best of album Complete Madness (Apr. '82), which nicely covers the band's first three albums, and truly is a nice bargain for someone looking for their best songs.
The Rise & Fall reflects the progression throughout the bands move towards a consistently stronger mainstream sound in a consistent manner. First and foremost it's a pop / rock release with clear bonds to ska revival, British pub rock, and to 1960s mod (as typified especially by The Kinks).
The album is by many considered the band's peak moment, although, it only reached #10 on the national album charts list, but as something contrary it fared very well in other countries, especially around Europe. Same thing happened to the two singles "Our House", which along the way has found almost monumental status 'only' made it to number #5 in the UK, but making better on the continent and in Ireland - also seen with "Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)" reaching number #8 at home but peaking as number #2 in Ireland.
The album is the only Madness album to be enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
In 2010 the album was released in a 2 disc remastered Deluxe Edition on Salvo. This is a mighty fine issue with a Bonus disc consisting of an additional 17 tracks and 4 promotional videos. Four tracks are taken from the David Kid Jensen show on BBC Radio 1 (recorded 24/6-82 and first transmitted 26/7-82), and the remaining 13 tracks is a fine blend of extended mixes and alternate takes including one fine "Ship Building"-version of track #2 with Elvis Costello, which all in all makes it a very nice bargain.
Highly recommendable.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5 stars ]

Moby "Moby" (1992)

Moby [debut]
release date: Jul. 1992
format: cd (1993)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,56]
producer: Moby
label: Rough Trade - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Everything" - 3. "Electricity" - 6. "Go" - 7. "Help Me to Believe" - 8. "Have You Seen My Baby?" - 9. "Ah Ah" - 10. "Slight Return"

Studio album debut by Moby [birth name Richard Melville Hall] aka Barracuda, aka Brainstorm, aka The Brotherhood, Lopez, Voodoo Child [etc.] originally released on Instinct Records and released by Rough Trade in Europe in 1993 with a slightly alternate tracklisting where the first track "Drop a Beat" had been exchanged for "Thousand" (track #12, not on the original '92 release) meaning that the original second track "Everything" was put as first track followed by the remainders, so that the European version also consisted of twelve tracks.
Stylistically, this was referred to as rave-techno - today it would probably be seen as a combo of more traditional American techno with inspiration from EBM [Electronic Body Music] and newer European hardcore with elements of downtempo and breakbeat making it a bit of a melting pot of electronic styles.
I didn't know of the album or the genres involved at the time of its release. In fact, I didn't listen to Moby until after his great Play (1999) album and after having discovered the British artists of the electronic scene. To my knowledge, it was British artists like Underworld, Prodigy, Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim who were the most poignant electronic acts of the early-mid 1990s electronic scene; however, in retrospect I have come to understand the development of the scene as a result of artists on both sides of the Atlantic, and Moby as the perhaps most important American source.
Moby is a difficult listen, as you have to digest it in retrospect - putting aside your conceptions of styles and genres around as you try to absorb it as a fresh 'new'. Initially, I found it tedious and a bit boring, but it has grown on me over time, and I understand its significance, although, it still sounds dated. Fact is, there's not a huge stylistic difference from this and the (better) debut album by The Prodigy, Experience, released another two months later that year.
[ allmusic.com 5 / 5, Q 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3 / 5 stars ]

"The Kids Are United" (1983)

The Kids Are United (compilation)
release date: 1983
format: vinyl (MFN 4)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: various
label: Music For Nations - nationality: England, UK

Compilation album issued by British label Music For Nations (and manufactured in France) is a collection of compositions by UK punk rock bands of the late 1970's and early '80s. The album consists of 15 tracks and has taken its title from the first track by Sham 69 "If the Kids Are United", which like the title of the album references "The Kids Are Alright" by The Who. Several bands appear with two songs: Sham 69, Cockney Rejects, Angelic Upstarts, The Exploited, and Toy Dolls.

Imperiet "Synd" (1986)

Synd
release date: Mar. 1986
format: vinyl (MLR-55) / cd (1997 reissue)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,94]
producer: Stefan Glaumann, Imperiet
label: Mistlur - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: 1. "Österns röda ros" (4 / 5) - 2. "Cosmopolite" - 3. "D-D-D-D (Dum-Dum-Dollar-Djungel)" - 4. "Saker som hon gör" (4 / 5) - 5. "Vykort" - 6. "Tennsoldat och eldvakt" - 7. "Bibel" (4 / 5) - 9. "Innan himlen faller ner" - *10. "Märk hur vår skugga (Epistel 81)"
*Bonus track on 1997 cd reissue

3rd full-length studio album by Imperiet following Blå himlen blues (Mar. 1985) is as usual with Stefan Glaumann as producer. The 1997 reissue is expanded with two bonus tracks. The band has always been on the move experimenting with styles and on this album, the band has now progressed into a more orchestrated sound with the use of strings, organs, harmonica, and more synths. The album has a concept dealing with 'Sin' ['Synd' is Swedish for 'Sin'], and all tracks deal with different aspects of sin and sinners.
My initial feelings were that it was an album containing some fine songs but also with several compositions with too much focus on Per Hägglund's keyboards. However, that impression didn't stay for more than another decade. I have always seen this as the last really good album by Imperiet, but perhaps it's actually their finest hour. Fact is, I have come to appreciate this album much more over the years and not just hear Hägglund's synths. It contains many strong tracks, and when you listen to later Thåström albums, there's definitely links to what appears to be industrial rock bits and pieces on this. It's tight and it appears as the band's most coherent album.
After this they released the English versioned album Imperiet (1987) (not to be confused with their homonymous Mini-LP, 1984), which in a way is a compilation album as it consists of English versions of older songs.