Sanity Plexus- Redux

It's been a long eight months, but I've since tracked down the remaining Sanity Plexus discography, consisting of a 12'' and a full length LP. While the band taps into a little more production value here, there's still the raw, DIY aesthetic throughout both releases that appeals. Fans of raw post-punk and minimal synth should find lots to love here.

Both of these records were released on the same label as the debut 12'', which you can nab here if you missed it. Without any further ado, here's the info:



Sanity Plexus- Tough Guy Shell 12'' (1990)
1. Tough Guy Shell
2. Career Boys
3. Ambassador of Angst
4. The Pleasure Utensils



Sanity Plexus- Fidelity LP (1991)
1. It's Not What You Think
2. Fatty Takes A Flyer
3. You Never Can Tell
4. Malevolent Angel
5. Big Chill
6. Why I Don't Dance
7. Ozone-Friendly Boyfriend
8. Slice Of Life
9. Pop
10. Scandal In A Small Town

*download both here*

Schmaalhans Weltraum- Samovar 7'' + Bonus Tracks

Here's something a little more club-oriented for you minimal synth fans out there. Included within is the complete discography of Swedish duo Schmaalhans Weltraum. Their entire discography consists of just four tracks- one 7'', one compilation appearance, and one loose track. Short blasts of synth perfection, IMO.

The 7'' dates back to 1991, while the compilation (Faces and Images) also contains several EBM and synthpop gems in this vein. Soon after these releases, Schmaalhans Weltraumm became Blomma, who dropped two releases into the 1990s.

Here's the info for these four killer tracks, which should feel right at home on any dancefloor:



Schmaalhans Weltraumm- Samovar 7''
1. Samovar
2. Dr. Läderbär

Bonus Tracks:
1. Montagne Du Boef (from Faces and Images Compilation, 1991)
2. Maschinenmann*

*download it here*



*Quick correction. This track is NOT Schmaalhans Weltraum, but by a Swiss synth band called simply Schmalhans. This is their only track- issued on a compilation in 1994. Apologies for the mix up!

Advanced Art- Scar 12''

Here's a slice of classic EBM for all you heavy-beat nuts. Advanced Art were based in Finland, formed in 1985, and split in the mid-90s, when the early EBM sound shifted focus to heavy metal guitars. The majority of their releases (four singles and two full lengths) explore the classic electro-based sound, so fans of Front 242, A Split-Second, and Nitzer Ebb should definitely enjoy this one. This particular 12'' dates back to 1991, and follows two early 7'' releases. Here's the breakdown:



Advanced Art- Scar 12''
1. From Nothing to Nothing
2. Wake Up
3. Tear Open These Scars
4. From Nothing to Nothing (Edit)

*download it here*

Various Artists- Passage Du Trou Marin K7

It's been quite some time since I've posted some classic coldwave, so here's a rare cassette compilation for you folks to kick off 2010. Released in 1991, this compilation collects a slew of classic coldwave artists, with a few more obscure gems thrown in for good measure. Many of the bands on this tape have been featured earlier on this blog, including Little Nemo, Babel 17, L'Enfance Éternelle, Norma Loy, and Résistance. Otherwise, this compilation collects a series of exclusive tracks (b-sides, non-album cuts, live performances), making this release a necessity for coldwave collectors everywhere.

Dépendance Continue, the French label who released this cassette, also released a similar cassette two years prior, entitled Mea Pulpa (featuring rare tracks by Asylum Party, Vox Dei, and Complot Bronswick). I'm happy to post that soon if anyone's interested. That said, here's the info for this release.



Various Artists- Passage Du Trou Marin K7
1. Palo Alto- Cible Sans Cils
2. Tuatha De Danann- Mesta In Telessa
3. Norma Loy- We Shall Win
4. Nervous Twitch- Nothing At All
5. Lucie Cries- Clara
6. Mazerno- Marteau Pilique
7. Résistance- Out Of The Body
8. Kafkha- Soleil Sur Rivière
9. Noise Gate- No Thank You
10. Alméria- Finambule
11. Little Nemo- Old Age
12. No Speak- Fire Song
13. Scalpel Humain- Death Angel
14. Babel 17- Low High
15. Die Bunker- Alone With Somebody
16. Wunderlich Ausgang- Train
17. Zorn- Prières
18. L'Enfance Éternelle- Plaisirs Acides
19. Modèle Martial- L'Amour Froid
20. Les Frères Straforelli- Tentatives

Tracks 1-11: Side 1 (Début...)
Tracks 12-20: Side 2 (...Fin)

*download it here*

East Wall [full discography]

Today's post contains the entire discography for Italian minimal/electro/disco act East Wall, featuring the efforts of Fabrizio Chiari (previously involved with Kirlian Camera) on synthesizers and electronics and Wilma Notari on synths and vocals. Their initial 12'', 1985's Eyes of Glass is a perfect slice of jagged minimal synth, while their 1991 lp Silence is a bit darker, though just as catchy in spots.

Without any further ado, here's the download information for both releases. Enjoy!



East Wall- Eyes of Glass 12''
1. Eyes of Glass (vocal)
2. Eyes of Glass (instrumental)



East Wall- Silence
1. Silence
2. Ice Of Fire
3. Twenty Five Sunsets Before Dawn
4. Angelo
5. Blue
6. Privacy
7. Twenty Seven

*download both here*

East Wall [full discography]

Today's post contains the entire discography for Italian minimal/electro/disco act East Wall, featuring the efforts of Fabrizio Chiari (previously involved with Kirlian Camera) on synthesizers and electronics and Wilma Notari on synths and vocals. Their initial 12'', 1985's Eyes of Glass is a perfect slice of jagged minimal synth, while their 1991 lp Silence is a bit darker, though just as catchy in spots.

Without any further ado, here's the download information for both releases. Enjoy!



East Wall- Eyes of Glass 12''
1. Eyes of Glass (vocal)
2. Eyes of Glass (instrumental)



East Wall- Silence
1. Silence
2. Ice Of Fire
3. Twenty Five Sunsets Before Dawn
4. Angelo
5. Blue
6. Privacy
7. Twenty Seven

*download both here*

The Reegs- Return of the Sea Monkeys LP

The End of Data LP from months passed has been reuploaded. Slowly getting around to fixing all the broken links, but don't have the time to check them all out. Again, see the previous post to leave comments on dead/constantly cycling downloads, and I'll tackle them as soon as I can.


That said, tackling an older request today, for the first LP by British post-punk/dreampop act The Reegs. Those familiar with post-punk 101 may recognize some of the key players in this band, as half of its lineup consisted of ex-members of the Chameleons (Dave Fielding and Reg Smithies), who drifted apart after the 1987 Tony Fletcher Walked On Water LP. Joined by singer Gary Lavery, the band released two LPs, both which combined the post-punk/dreampop edge of the Chameleons prior work with synthesizers and a more Manchester-based sound, developing in bands like the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays. Their first record, uploaded below, is more of a compilation, gathering together two 1988 singles and two covers. Only two tracks on the record were "new."

The band would support the Wedding Present during their ephemeral run, and would release a handful of EPs up until 1997, just a few years prior to the turn of the century Chameleons reunion. Dave is currently active in Coconut DF.

Without any further adieu, here's the information for the 1991 debut record, Return of the Sea Monkeys:



The Reegs- Return of the Sea Monkeys
1. See My Friends (Kinks cover)
2. Is There A Mother-In-Law In The Club?
3. This Savage Garden
4. Chorus Of The Lost
5. Pond Life
6. Start To See
7. These Days
8. Turn It Up
9. All Tomorrows Parties (instrumental Velvet Underground cover)

*download it here*

There seems to be an official Reegs myspace page, complete with a few rare videos of projects both past and present. Click below to check it out:

The Reegs on myspace

The Reegs- Return of the Sea Monkeys LP

The End of Data LP from months passed has been reuploaded. Slowly getting around to fixing all the broken links, but don't have the time to check them all out. Again, see the previous post to leave comments on dead/constantly cycling downloads, and I'll tackle them as soon as I can.


That said, tackling an older request today, for the first LP by British post-punk/dreampop act The Reegs. Those familiar with post-punk 101 may recognize some of the key players in this band, as half of its lineup consisted of ex-members of the Chameleons (Dave Fielding and Reg Smithies), who drifted apart after the 1987 Tony Fletcher Walked On Water LP. Joined by singer Gary Lavery, the band released two LPs, both which combined the post-punk/dreampop edge of the Chameleons prior work with synthesizers and a more Manchester-based sound, developing in bands like the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays. Their first record, uploaded below, is more of a compilation, gathering together two 1988 singles and two covers. Only two tracks on the record were "new."

The band would support the Wedding Present during their ephemeral run, and would release a handful of EPs up until 1997, just a few years prior to the turn of the century Chameleons reunion. Dave is currently active in Coconut DF.

Without any further adieu, here's the information for the 1991 debut record, Return of the Sea Monkeys:



The Reegs- Return of the Sea Monkeys
1. See My Friends (Kinks cover)
2. Is There A Mother-In-Law In The Club?
3. This Savage Garden
4. Chorus Of The Lost
5. Pond Life
6. Start To See
7. These Days
8. Turn It Up
9. All Tomorrows Parties (instrumental Velvet Underground cover)

*download it here*

There seems to be an official Reegs myspace page, complete with a few rare videos of projects both past and present. Click below to check it out:

The Reegs on myspace

Babel 17- Shades LP

Today's post features hard-edged French coldwave act Babel 17, who officially formed in 1989. Members of the band had been playing together under various names since 1983, scrapping, rewriting, and experimenting with songs and ideas before settling upon their official name and sound. The first incarnation's drummer would go on to join Little Nemo, who helped the newly formed Babel 17 land a record contract with the prestigious Lively Art label.

The band released two albums and a series of singles before splitting in 1993, just as their peers were folding and Lively Art closed its doors. The band was rumored to have a third album all ready for release before Lively Art folded. However, though the band has the tracklisting and a few songs up on their official page, I've been unable to track it down in any medium. Instead, I've uploaded the band's seminal sophomore record, 1991's Shades for your listening pleasure, complete with CD only bonus tracks. I believe this release was originally upgraded from an EP, though both shared the same name. The details:



Babel 17- Shades LP
1. Shades of a Dream
2. XVI - XVII - XVIII
3. La Curee
4. Bittersweetness
5. Nohm-Bo
6. Madness Strides Along
7. Lo-Hi
8. A Prayer
9. Bittermixness
10. In Distress

*download link removed----> album re-released on Infrastition in 2009! see below for links for purchase*

Here's a clip of the band performing a track from their previous record live in 1990:



Last but not least, here's some further information on Babel 17, including a link to purchase their first record, 1990's Celeano Fragments through Infrastition.com:

Babel 17 official page
Infrastition.com

Grauzone- Die Sunrise Tapes LP

A quick lazy Sunday post...I've had this one uploaded on divshare for a few months now, but forgot to post it here for everyone to enjoy. For a full writeup on Grauzone, see this post here, and otherwise, enjoy this classic Swiss minimal collection, released in 1998 and compiling Grauzone's studio output.



Grauzone- Die Sunrise Tapes LP
1. Film 2
2. Eisbar
3. Hinter Den Bergen
4. Maikafer Flieg
5. Marmelade Und Himbeereis
6. Wutendes Glas
7. Kalte Kriecht
8. Kunstgewerbe
9. Der Weg Zu Zweit
10. In Der Nacht
11. Traume Mit Mir
12. Ich Und Du
13. Moskau
14. Ich Lieb Sie
15. Schlachtet
16. Raum

*download it here*

Clint Ruin & Lydia Lunch- Stinkfist 12''/(Don't Fear) the Reaper 12''

Today's post features two collaborative 12'' singles from two of NYC no-wave's greatest. Clint Ruin (a.k.a. Foetus, Jim Thirwell) and Lydia Lunch (ex-Teenage Jesus and the Jerks) dated a spell in the late eighties/early nineties, and during the scuzz-punk romance of the century, cut two 12'' singles. Aside from the covers that grace the second single, the original material is as dissonant and heavy-hitting as each of the pair's own work.

Details:


Clint Ruin & Lydia Lunch- Stinkfist 12'' (1987)
1. Stinkfist
2. Meltdown Oratorio
3. Son of Stink
4. The Crumb*

*feat. Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth on guitar.



Clint Ruin & Lydia Lunch- (Don't Fear) The Reaper 12'' (1991)
1. (Don't Fear) The Reaper (orig. by Blue Oyster Cult)
2. Clinch
3. Serpentine
4. Why Don't We Do It In the Road? (orig. by the Beatles)

*download both here*

Though no proper recording of this exists, here's the pair performing the Stones' 'Sympathy for the Devil' at a concert in 2001.