Sleep Of Reason - Building 27 (1987)

I don't know much about Sleep Of Reason. They released one album on Top Records in 1987 and came from the Vienna, Virginia area apparently. Band members were Steve Hansgen, Tom Rowland, Arnie Karklis and Vince Silberberg.

Building

Greg Guidry - Over The Line (1982)

One of the downsides of obsessing over music that is between thirty and forty years old is that a lot of water has flowed under a lot of bridges by now. Memories fade, life moves on. Sometimes, I read about musicians who have enjoyed a recent reunion, satisfied with a legacy that is likely obscure but still loved, maybe even trying their hand at writing something new. More likely though, many of our heroes are nowhere to be found, and sadly, for some that is true in a literal sense, having passed on either through accident, death by natural causes, or, as in this case, by suicide. Personally, I pass no judgment. The great thing for me about music is that it lives on regardless of the triumphs or ills of its creators.

I found this record in Nashville about 5 years ago, and may well have left it alone except for a heartfelt post it note on the album somewhere that recommended it to a friend. It's perhaps a bit more mainstream, AOR style than I usually opt for, but depending on my mood, there is nothing wrong with that. One track even charted quite highly, and perhaps like one of my other rock discoveries from 1982, David Reilly, the fact that Greg had been honing his chops for years as a songwriter and backup singer imbued the album with a solid, satisfying songs. A little strange then, that it took until 2000 for it to see even a limited CD release, given that it was released originally by the mighty Columbia label.

Sadly, as I mentioned before, Greg committed suicide in 2003 in Fairview, Tennessee, at the age of 49. Having recently turned 50 myself, I am struck by how vulnerable the human male seems to be around the half century mark. Since then, other demo tracks and a posthumous album have been released - you can find them on iTunes, Spotify etc. - but not this one. If you enjoy the album, raise a glass on his behalf.

Over The Line

Flag - Flag (1985)

Flag was a short lived collaboration between Archie Brown, formerly of Dexy's offshoot The Bureau, and David Cairns, previously well known in the UK for his involvement with a number of bands, most notably Secret Affair.

Although the writing partnership was largely productive, tensions arose with label Scotti Bros due to the mixing of the record. The album was released in the USA and Germany, but surprisingly not in England. A single "I Am" was released to radio but was not particularly successful. Nevertheless, highly underrated and worth a second listen.

More information on the band and album is here.

Flag

Eubie Hayve - Mystery (1988)

Eubie Hayve were a phonetically amusing alternative rock band from Maryland, releasing two short LPs on their own Eubet Recordings label. Mystery was the second, more accomplished one. The band consisted of Ginger Hopkins on vocals, Anthony Mark Piazza on guitar, David Frey on bass and Devlin DeHaven on drums. "Work In Progress" was the single.

Mystery

Demarest - Word Gets Around

This week I'm going to share an independent LP from an Oakland band, led by Bruce Demarest. There's a little bit more info courtesy of the drummer, Dan Hertlein, here.

Word Gets Around (1987)

1. The Once In A Blue Moon Girl
2. Guilty
3. False Front
4. Word Gets Around
5. Verbatim
6. By Summertime
7. On 2 And 4
8. Walkin' The Beat
9. Body Language

Download (mp3, 320kb)

Update - high quality download now available on Bandcamp through my label Base Ten Records. 

Ted Lindsay and the Democrats - Russian Women (1987)

I was pretty stoked to get my turntable out of storage in early September, and since then I've been buying up a good selection of cheap vinyl. I also got a new boondoggle for my laptop so my new rips will be in proper stereo.

I wanted to post this one first because I could not find anything out about this band over the web, and I love a good mystery. Ted Lindsay and the Democrats were from Nashville and recorded on the equally mysterious Ancient Mystic record label. It's a relatively short, but impressively dynamic album. Further information would be very welcome.

Ted Lindsay and the Democrats - Russian Women (1987)

1.  Russian Women
2.  Bohemian
3.  Hot Jungle
4.  Wild Night
5.  Walk On Fire
6.  Here Comes My Baby
7.  The Quiet Guy
8.  Frankie and the Beat
9.  Whatever Baby Wants

Download

Alternate download

Personnel:
Ted Lindsay - vocals, bass
Jim Ramsey - lead guitar
Chip Gabbert - vocals, keyboards
Paula Abbott - guitar, vocals
Herb Shucher - drums

Bought at The Great Escape, Nashville for 99 cents.

Bolland - The Domino Theory

When Status Quo released the single "You're In The Army Now" in 1986 I had no idea that it was a (carbon copy) cover version of a 1981 track by two Dutch brothers who recorded under their family name, Bolland. Much as I like the dynamics of the song (slow build up, sound effects, slightly obscure lyrics) it goes some way to explaining why I did not care for any other Quo singles they released around that time, and when I discovered that it's original place was as part of this concept album called The Domino Theory, it made much more sense.

When I ripped this album from vinyl, I found that in true concept LP fashion there was no satisfactory way to cut up the individual tracks as they blend so well into each other. For that reason, my rip simply features two tracks, Side 1 and Side 2. Perhaps this is an anomaly in this day and age, but the album is not overly long and is all the better for being enjoyed as a single piece. It was also released on CD at a later point, but again the decision to cut up the album into individual tracks in that format lost something from the original presentation and concept.

The Domino Theory (1981)

Side One:
Overture - You're In The Army Now - The Dogs of War - Heart of Darkness - Cambodia Moon

Side Two
Heaven Can Wait - To The Battleground - Long Day's Journey Into The Night - Let's Help A.R.V.I.N. Out - Rendez-Vous With Radiation - Finale

Download

Alternate download

Personnel:
Rob Bolland
Ferdi Bolland

Incidentally, I also liked the appearance of the Royal Air Force Yearbook on the front cover. As a kid I loved that magazine and collected them for several years.

Figures - The Gateway

Figures was a band from Minnesota, USA. They released a handful of albums through a local label, Twin Tone Records. The Gateway was released in 1986.

"Anton Fier produced The Gateway, organizing Figures' sound into a clear and brisk (although drums are slightly too prominent) vehicle for Waryan's heartfelt songs. Tasteful rock underpinnings and sharp lead solos offset the ringing acoustic guitars and doubled harmony vocals, making songs like "Word s Unsaid," "In the House of Welcomes" and a folky rendition of Lowell George's "Easy to Slip" highlights of an altogether agreeable record." (Trouser Press)

Figures - The Gateway (1986)

1. Words Unsaid
2. Dear Lee
3. In Five Days I'm Leaving Here
4. Heard You Laugh
5. It's All Quite Clear
6. Lyndon Station
7. Heard You Laugh
8. Easy To Slip
9. Twilight Bark
10. In The House of Welcomes

Download 

Alternate download

Personnel:
Steve Brantseg
Steven Fjelstad
Jay Peck
Jeff Waryan
Harvey Ginsburg
Vicky Williams

FX - Personal

FX was a new wave band from Melbourne, Australia. They released one album, Personal, in 1986.

Tracklist:

1. Maybe
2. Will It Always Be (This Way)
3. It's Over
4. Getting Better
5. Only You
6. I Hate The Night
7.  Wouldn't Believe
8. Hide Myself Away
9. Neighbours
10. Children of the City

Download Side 1
Download Side 2

Frontier Theory - No Waltz In The Meadow

Frontier Theory was an alternative band from Washington DC who released an EP Atlantic in 1987 followed by the full length No Waltz In The Meadow in 1988 on Top Records.

This was a find at the memorable Haggle Vinyl record shop in Islington, London.

Tracklist:

1. Don't Walk Away
2. One More Season
3. The One That Got Away
4. We're So Cool
5. Whirlybird
6. Summertime (a cover version)
7. Madeline
8. Call

Download

Personnel:

Michael Kelley (vocals)
Tim Kelley (guitars, vocals)
Kevin Kelley (bass guitar, vocals)
Robert Kelley (drums, vocals)

If you like this one, please let me know in the comments!

Positive Noise - Change of Heart LP (1982)

Positive Noise - Change of Heart (1982)

Positive Noise was a new wave band from Scotland. Change of Heart was their second release and their most commercial effort.

This was an album I picked up for 99 cents at The Great Escape in Nashville last Christmas.

1. Feel The Fear
2. Get Up and Go!
3. Inhibitions
4. Obsession
5. Hanging On
6. Positive Negative
7. Waiting For The Seventh Man
8. Out of Reach
9. Tension
10. Change of Heart

Personnel:
Russell Blackstock (Guitar, Vocals)
Frazer Middleton (Bass, Vocals)
Graham Middleton (Keyboards, Vocals)
Les Gaff (Drums)

Wikipedia Entry

Karel Fialka - Still Life (1980)

Here's an album I've been looking for over a number of years. Finally, this is my own rip so others can enjoy it too.

Still Life was Karel Fialka's debut album, released on the Blueprint label (a Pye subsidiary) in 1980. It included the hit single "The Eyes Have It" as well as another single "Armband" and a cover of The Doors' "People Are Strange".

Karel has hardly been prolific in his career, just releasing two other projects Human Animal in 1987 and Film Noir in 2009. His style is fairly unique, combining a pop sensibility, a willingness to experiment, and a sense of drama. Over the course of an album his vocal style grates a little - he tends to sing-shout and has a slight accent - but every track is different and succinct. It's easy to forget that this was pretty cutting edge new wave at the time he recorded it.

You have to admire the cover artwork (presumably an allusion to the track "File In Forget") but I'm not sure what the cutaway picture of the machine gun is all about.

"The Eyes Have It" would also be later re-recorded. This album has never been released on CD however.

1. The Eyes Have It
2. People Are Strange
3. File In Forget
4. The Cost
5. Rough and Ready
6. Armband
7. Still Life
8. The Good The Bad and The Ugly
9. Exude When I'm Bruised
10. Appointment In Samarra

Download [Link removed]


Update: I got a DMCA complaint on this one, which is interesting. I'd be more than happy to point people towards a place where you can legally obtain these tracks, either on a CD or as a download. As far as I know, there is nothing out there. If I'm wrong, I'd love to know!!

Unique - His Golden Hand LP (1988)

Over the years I have posted music on the blog, I've always been excited to feature rare and unusual acts I have not seen anywhere else. A couple of years ago I featured a single by Seeing Red from my home island of Guernsey. After attending a local record fair last autumn I also found this LP, which I vaguely remembered being advertised locally at the time, but I had not seen since. I don't know anything about Unique as an artist, but the album was produced by Tim Bran who went on to be involved in Dreadzone. A very rare example of a modern rock/new wave/indie dance record wholly recorded and sold in the Channel Islands. I hope you enjoy this one!

Unique - His Golden Hand (1988)

1. Moon Music Overture
2. I Got Younger
3. Eskimo
4. Inchman
5. Tear of Fire
6. I Got Younger (Nappy Remix)
7. Safe As Houses
8. But I Wasn't Laughing
9. When The World Started Turning
10. I Am Not An Animal

Download
Side One
Side Two

[Update] After discovering the second album, Psychadermic (released in 1991) I found a MySpace page here, in which Unique and his band The Style Warriors show every intention of growing old disgracefully!

[Second Update] I've now re-ripped and posted the album again in two parts.

Nomo - The Great Unknown LP (1985)

Nomo - The Great Unknown (1985)

1. We Go To Sleep Believing
2. The Great Unknown
3. Dance The Dance
4. Let It Come Down
5. What A Little True Love Can Do
6. Wailing Wall
7. Killer Love
8. Red Lipstick
   
9. Slave For Love
10. Facts Of Life

Red Lipstick (Dance Mix) via YouTube

Personnel:
David Batteau (Vocals)
Tony Humecke (Keyboards)
Eric Pressly (Bass)

[Link updated September 2012 - I have now posted my own vinyl rip with full artwork]

Endgames - Building Beauty

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...
 

Endgames - Building Beauty (1984)

1. Love Cares
2. The Universe Won't Mind
3. Waiting For Another Chance
4. Miracle In My Heart
5. Love Building Beauty
6. Desire
7. Ecstacy
8. Searching For Love
9. Both of Us

This is my rip of the US version with a slightly different running order.
Download

Endgames - More Beauty (B-Sides and Rarities)

1. We Feel Good (Future's Looking Fine)
2. Darkness
3. Ready Or Not
4. Look Now
5. Love Cares (Extended Mix)
6. Waiting For Another Chance (Extended Mix)
7. Desire (Vocal Mix)
8. Desire (Extended Mix)

Download

Wikipedia Entry