Archive for the ‘Synth Pop’ tag
Deux – Decadence LP (2010)
Vive La Synth Baguette!!!
The life of an anachronist is no picnic: One’s soul (do robots have souls?) is spread across time like brie on pain chaud. Fortunately for those of us stuck surfing time-space, there is music this good to keep us afloat. Minimal Wave nails it again with another anthology repress, this time by French duo, Deux. Might as well double-up on the vinyl while you’re there buying Futurisk Player Piano LP to save on shipping. If you’re feeling flush, I would pick up the Medio Mutante EP, Inestable single, too.
SCHEMATIC: Not convinced?! Check out the full Deux posting HERE!!!
Robot Rock du Jour: Freeez – I.O.U. (1983)
This video somehow manages to aggregate nearly everything that was so boss about the early 1980s: 7″ records; boomboxes/ghettoblasters; BMX bikes; popping and locking; synthesizers; fashion; and even a healthy dose of naïve sexuality. If this song sounds like a cross between Afrika Bambaataa and New Order, that is because legend Arthur Baker produced it! Thanks to fellow nerdbot Tom in the UK for the heads up on this one.
SCHEMATIC: Acapella & Dub Versions…
Robot Rock du Jour: Neil Young – Trans LP (1982)
In 1982, Neil Young was abducted by robot aliens who grafted an organic neural-net processor onto his existing human brain and sent him back to Earth to make vocoder-infused, heavily distorted guitar rock. Five of the nine tracks on Trans were recorded by this Neil Young Beta Unit, who also remixed Mr. Soul as the b-side on the Sample and Hold 12″ single.
SCHEMATIC: Other Neil Young Beta Unit videos and cover art…
Read the rest of this entry »
Robot Rock du Jour: Thomas Dolby – Windpower (1982)
The future was indeed 1982. Nerd of nerds Thomas Dolby laid out “Windpower” on his seminal LP The Golden Age of Wireless, which featured the über hit She Blinded Me With Science. This song is an intellectual call to arms; a utopian nerd manifesto. If anyone wants to build a new city (or take over a cool one like Denver) I’m IN!
SCHEMATIC: Two more versions and inspiring lyrics…
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: 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: 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 »
Party Time: Saturday Robot Party @ The Idle Hour (Baltimore, MD)
VIGR is in the house. 4+ hour rare vinyl set. Need I say more? Hope to see you there! I’ll try to keep track of the setlist…
Robot Rock du Jour: Deux – Paris / Orly (1985)
Hot Girls Singing Over Synths (HGSOS).
This French duo were really onto something with their minimal synths, stripped-down rhythm compositions and suitably cold female lyrics. This prime example of French minimal synth pop was no doubt influenced by their proximity to Germany as the cool synth-laden air traveled down from Les Alpes. Presented here is Paris / Orly the b-side from their Europe 7″ published in 1985 on André Records.
SCHEMATIC: Videos for Felicita and Game and Performance…
Robot Rock du Jour: La Bionda – I Wanna Be Your Lover (1980)
Back in 1980, these Italian brothers gave Daft Punk a blueprint for combining vocoder-laden electronic music, cosmic story lines and robot animé. Be kind, please rewind.
SCHEMATIC: Candid photos, original cover art and record scans…