Mass- Labour of Love LP

Sorry for yet another delay, folks. Things will be sporadic for a little while longer, but I have two uploads today. The first continues the 4AD tradition, featuring Mass' lone LP, 1981's Labour of Love.

Mass formed in 1980, in the wake of like-minded outfit Rema-Rema's demise. 3/4 of the experimental/post-punk outfit continued on as Mass, along with Danny Briottet. One single appeared before the record, which is attached to the end of the CD release uploaded below.

Mass' sound continued the thick and abrasive path Rema-Rema laid out before...These tracks are moody, dark, and heavy. This trend would continue upon Mass' quick demise, as after Labour of Love's release, members Mick Allen, and Mark Cox formed the Wolfgang Press, who were active throughout the rest of the 1980s and early 1990s. Meanwhile, remaining Mass members Gary Asquith and Danny Briottet went on to form Renegade Soundwave.

Without any further adieu, here's the information for Labour of Love, complete with the CD release artwork + bonus tracks:



Mass- Labour of Love LP/CD
1. Mass
2. Why
3. Ill
4. Why
5. Isn't Life Nice
6. Elephant Talk
7. F.A.H.T.C.F.
8. Cross Purposes
9. Innocence
10. You And I
11. Cabbage

*download it here*

Though the CD copy of this record has been out of print for years...4AD's webpage does offer a digital copy of the record here, if you're in the UK or are keen on the current exchange rate. Be sure to nab it if you love it!

Rema-Rema- Wheel In the Roses EP

Many pardons for the brief break. Many thanks to friends and readers for their support and encouragement this year! For the last post of 2007, I've uploaded an old favorite, a more experimental yet classic EP by UK outfit Rema-Rema.

Rema-Rema was a short lived 4AD outfit whose lone EP (4AD's 5th release) served as a post-punk/experimental classic, and kicked off the careers of several other seminal acts. The band consisted of Marco Pirroni (ex-original Banshee), Gary Asquith, Mick Allen, Mark Cox, and Max. Wheel In the Roses appeared in 1980, a four track EP with one side's worth of studio tracks and another consisting of live material.

Rema-Rema quickly disbanded, and most of the band's members found success shortly. Marco Pirroni would join up with Adam & the Ants, Max would become a full time member of Psychic Tv under her real name Dorothy, and Asquith, Allen, and Cox would form heavy-handed 4AD act Mass. Upon Mass' demise, Cox and Allen would form the legendary Wolfgang Press, who became a signature post-punk act throughout the 80s and early 90s. Meanwhile, This Mortal Coil (4AD head Ivo-Watts Russel's pet project) would recreate 'Fond Affections' for their debut record It'll End in Tears, which featured several contributions by Rema-Rema's original lineup. Big Black would also cover 'Rema-Rema', further cementing the band's original impact.

Details:


Rema-Rema- Wheel in the Roses EP
1. Feedback Song
2. Rema-Rema
3. Instrumental
4. Fond Affections

*download it here*

If you dig it, there are several ways to purchase the recording proper. It can be tricky to track down the vinyl release, but 4AD's official site features digital purchasing links as well as a handful of CD copies available through their online catalog.

Purchase Wheel in the Roses via 4AD dot com

Happy new year, ladies and gentlemen!