Archive for the ‘Robot Rock’ Category
Real Genius: Giorgio Moroder – From Here to Eternity (1977)
Moroder is the undisputed progenitor of Italo. The uncanny resemblance to SNL’s Father Guido Sarducci notwithstanding, Moroder is a synth god. More machine than man, Moroder is to Italy as Kraftwerk is to Germany.
Although Moroder made some Taleggio over the years, From Here to Eternity is an early Italo masterpiece. First published as an LP in 1977 on US-based Casablanca Records, near mint copies of this album are still widely available for about $20. Synthspotters love this video…
SCHEMATIC: Some Moroder TV appearances, a Casablanca Records promo video, more details…
Daft Punk DJ Hero
As thrilled as I am by the prospect of pretending to be the fellas from Daft Punk, I’m not sure the thousands of imminent mash-up train wrecks are worth it. Daft Punk and scratching? Really? I’m skeptical at best.
Now if, for example, I can mix components of their tracks freestyle using this funky setup, then we’ve got something to talk about. Riddle me this…Why not make a serrato-compatible version so people can use real decks?
Robot Rock du Jour: Real Life – Send Me an Angel (1983)
RAD is to BMX what Gleaming The Cube is to skateboarding.
An instant cult classic when it hit theaters in 1986, RAD is an absolutely essential piece of 80’s history.
This next clip features a sick “bicycle boogie” set to Send Me an Angel by Australian band Real Life. I watched several versions of this clip on youtube and this one presents the best clip length, video and sound quality. Keep your eyes peeled for the Crimson Twins, Xamot and Tomax!!
SCHEMATIC: RAD BMX credits and three versions of the Send Me An Angel music video… Read the rest of this entry »
Robot Rock du Jour: Zodiac – Zodiac (1980)
Communist disco?! YES! This Latvian state-sponsored disco was actually composed in a music conservatory.
Zodiac is some seriously spaced-out synthy disco goodness. The simple composition of this eponymous track from their 1980 debut LP Disco Alliance brings the lush sythscapes and analog textures to the forefront. Loving those live drums. This exceptional track is essentially unknown in NA and generally available for about US$20 + international shipping. And peep that cover art!!
SCHEMATIC: Three more videos and some fantastic cover art… Read the rest of this entry »
Robot Rock du Jour: Cerrone – Supernature (1977)
This decidedly bizarre pre-Spike Jonze/Michel Gondry video features mutants, naked chicks à la Rio, a vintage Rolls-Royce and a kick-ass rainbow-coloured acrylic drum set.
Supernature is a cautionary post-apocalyptic tale of scientific hubris and genetic experimentation gone awry. Although there are numerous tracks from the 70s and 80s that pay homage to space, robots and computers (thank God), few disco/synth tracks really drop earth science. Me like! Me like!
SCHEMATIC: High quality extended vinyl rip MP3, lyrics, cover art…
Keyser Söze Alert: Clay Pedrini – New Dream (1984)
This may be the single greatest manifestation of Italo every pressed. Who the hell is this guy?! Claudio (Clay) Pedrini Came out of nowhere, cooked up this tasty Italo biscuit and then went back into the night kitchen forever. Even when you can find it, be prepared to dish out upwards of $500 for an excellent copy. Fortunately for vinyl nerds hit by the recession, this has been officially repressed by I.D. Limited, complete with reinterpreted cover artwork. You’ll have to pay shipping from Europe, tho.
SCHEMATIC: A short music video clip and cover artwork…
Robot Rock du Jour: Taxi Girl – Paris (1984)
Pain chaud! I’m not sure what the hell is going on in this video…but I like it. It’s a damned time capsule from 1984 Paris wrapped in a warm baguette synth line.
Paris features a very young Mirwais (!!) and Daniel Darc walking around town and ragging on their home city.
SCHEMATIC: Videos for Mannequin, Cherchez le Garçon, an early band portrait and Paris album cover art…
Robot Rock du Jour: Suicide – Ghost Rider (1977)
Synthpunk Elvis? People just didn’t make this kind of music in 1977. Yet here it is. While France and Québéc were making space disco, NY was outputting high concept industrial synthpunk blues. Legends Alan Vega and Martin Rev, tearing it up…
SCHEMATIC: Another live version and a brief documentary excerpt…
Robot Rock du Jour: The Neon Judgement – The Fashion Party (1983)
If Robert De Niro were a robot and went on a rampage, this is the song that would be playing in the background. Hyperactive, aggro-nerd breakdance music at its finest. The Fashion Party is some hard-rocking Electronic Body Music from Belgium off the Cockerill-Sombre 12″. Love that post-punk guitar around 2:50!
SCHEMATICS: Videos for TV Treated and Tomorrow in the Papers… Read the rest of this entry »
Robot Rock du Jour: Thomas Dolby – She Blinded Me With Science (1982)
This video was an integral part of my nerdlinghood. Visually rich to the nth degree: Besides the sweet sidecar motorcycle and lunatic scientists, you have the superhot lab assistant, Ms. Sakamoto, who doubles as a cello. Classic nerd track. BTW, Dolby has been the Musical Director of the TED conferences since 2001.
SCHEMATICS: Album artwork and other gems from Dolby… Read the rest of this entry »