St. Vincent - The Cheerleader

St. Vincent is the stage name of Annie Clark, a very talented American multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter. She took her moniker from Nick Cave’s song called „Ther She Goes My Beautiful World” which refers to the hospital in which Dylan Thomas died ("And Dylan Thomas died drunk in/ St. Vincent's hospital"). Till now she realeased four solo studio albums, the debut „Marry Me” (2007, Beggars Banquet  BBQCD 254) followed by „Actor” (2009, 4AD CAD 2919), „Strange Mercy” (2011, 4AD CAD 3123) and self-titled „St. Vincent” (2014, Loma Vista/Republic Records UNIW 40354). In 2012 she also released in collaboration with David Byrne (a member of Talking Heads) an album „Love This Giant” (4AD CAD 3231). Worth to mention that all these records were well received by critics and one by one gradually gained more and more commercial attention. Over few last years she spread her musical activity in various projects, in 2012 she featured on Andrew Bird's album ”Break It Yourself” singing on "Lusitania", also provided guest vocals for the song "What's the Use of Won'drin'" on the album „Who Killed Amanda Palmer” from Amanda Palmer (formerly of The Dresden Dolls) and appeared on the film soundtrack of The Twilight Saga : Breaking Dawn – Part 2, in 2014 Annie Clark fronted Nirvana performing lead vocals on „Lithium” at the 29th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and also provided vocals on the Swans’ album „To Be Kind”. So it’s might be said that she has bright future and straight way leading her to worldwide fame and stardom.

The Vyllies - Can You Hear The Witches Laugh?

The Vyllies was an all-female band from Switzerland, active in years 1983 - 1988. It comprised of Ilona Prism (bass, vocals), Ursula Nun (keyboards) and Manue Moan (vocals) who first met at the University of Lausanne. During its career they released two studio albums : "Lilith" (1985, Out Of Tune Records DT 275-09) and "Sacred Games" (1987, Out Of Tune Records  DT 276-09), as well as several singles and mini-LPs : "The Vyllies" (1984, Creep Records CREEP 06), "Velvet Tales" (1985, Out Of Tune Records DT 274-4), "Ahia" (1986, Fun After All Records FAA 103) and "Now We Fall" (1987, Out Of Tune Records P-124). They also toured successfully in Switzerland and other European countries, sometimes as a support to such bands like Minimal Compact, Sex Gang Children or The Gun Club. They created and polished their unique style, a mix of gothic rock, dark wave with melodic synth sounds. My favorite song of this band is "Give Me A Name" from their first album "Lilith".

The Church - Under The Milky Way

One of my all-time favorites is "Under The Milky Way" by an Australian band The Church. It's pure timeless. And incredible beautiful. This song's coming from their album "Starfish" ( Arista, 258 895 ) and was also released as a single in 1988 ( Arista, 609 778 ).

The Comsat Angels - My Mind's Eye

The Comsat Angels was the post-punk band from Sheffield, England, active in years 1978 - 1995 and consisted of Stephen Fellows (guitar, vocals), Kevin Bacon (bass guitar), Andy Peake (keyboards), Mik Glaisher (drums). Although they recorded eight full-lenght albums and twice more singles, their masterpiece, in my opinion, was indisputably their last but one album "My Mind's Eye" (RPM Records, CSA 101) released in 1992. So I agree with band's leader Stephen Fellows who when was asked which their album was his favorite he actually named "My Mind's Eye". My personal choice from this album is a song titled "I Come From The Sun".

Die Haut feat. Anita Lane and Blixa Bargeld - How Long (Have We Known Each Other Now)

Just another great duet. Anita Lane and Blixa Bargeld. This duo contributed their vocals to several albums of the German post-punk band Die Haut. Their song I personally admire is marvelous track "How Long (Have We Known Each Other Now)" from the album "Head On" (What So Funny About, SF 122) released in 1992. This song is also titled "Subterranean World". Worth to mention that they both first met in the Bad Seeds, the band founded by Nick Cave, where Blixa played guitar from 1983 til 2003 and Anita sang and wrote lyrics.

Curt Smith feat. Sophie Saillet (SO) - Seven Of Sundays

I think that songs performed by male/female duets can be both an enormous success or a complete disaster. Recently I listened to one of the duets which should be classified as a success. The song I mean is entitled "Seven Of Sundays" an was recorded by Curt Smith (co-founder of Tears For Fears) and French artist Sophie Saillet nicknamed SO.   This track is coming from Curt's third solo album "Halfway, Pleased" (XIII BIS Records, 70022640643), released in 2008.

Marcie's Still Waiting - Sophisticated And Elegant

Today’s post is about a German band Marcie’s Still Waiting. Formed in 1984 by Rainer Spachmann (vocals, keyboards, guitars), Rainer Winschermann (saxophone, recording, mixing), Thomas Dobber (bass) and Frank Behnke (keyboards) it released in his short-term life only two EPs : “A Mysterious Song” (Wishbone Records, WM 85001) in 1985 and “Mirrors And Daydream” (Roof Records, RR 134 578)  in 1986. But in 2012 Winschermann’s indie record label Mollycat released a compilation   CDr  titled  “Marcie’s  Still  Waiting  in the  80ies”  (Mollycat, MCD 12049) featuring  songs  from  band’s  first  EP   “A Mysterious Song” and six unpublished tracks which were recorded back in 1986. Another compilation album was released in October 2014 entitled "From East To West" (Dead Wax Records, DW 006) and comprises four songs from "A Mysterious Song" EP, four songs from "Mirrors And Daydreams" EP and five unreleased songs from the in-between period. Their music can be classified as new wave, dark wave, cold wave touched by nostalgia and melancholy. In my opinion Marcie’s Still Waiting  is  one of the most underrated bands and should achieve much more recognition. My personal choice are two tracks “Sleep” and “Unique World". For more info please visit band's site on facebook 

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marcies-still-waiting/195374707180197

 

 

 

 

Kowalski - Pioneers Of Industrial Rock

The rumble of pneumatic hammers which were using by workers who are renovating the building where my office is located and clamour of grinders and sews which another workers were cutting concrete pavers and curbs gave me the idea for today's post. Post’s main theme is industrial rock, whose flagship representative was German band Kowalski. This band, which consisted of four musicians from Cologne, Bochum and Wuppertal can be considered the pioneers of this music genre. Music that was created by them in the years 1982-1984 was very avant-garde and so timeless. Noone has played like them in these years, so even though the band has performed at major rock festivals and renowned music clubs in all over Europe, the global success passed them by. They left one full length album titled "Schlagende Wetter" or "Overman Underground" - English version (1982, Virgin 205099) and several singles, produced by Conny Plank, which hardly grew old and it sounds like it was a product created today. They reminded of themselves in 2013, releasing another album of previously unreleased songs, but sadly they promoted it giving the only one concert on 19 January 2013 in Bochum. In conclusion I recommend to listen one of their best songs called “Liliom”.

Hanoi Rocks - Rock'n"Roll Divorce

Today’s post is a reminiscence of Finnish export rock band  Hanoi Rocks.  Formed  in  Helsinki,  Finland in 1979 by Micheal Monroe ( Matti Fagerholm, vocals, saxophone ) and his friends Andy McCoy ( Antti Hulkko, guitars ), Nasty Suicide ( Jan Stenfors, guitars ), Sammi Yaffa ( Sami Takamaki, bass ). Last addition to them was Gipsy Casino ( Jesper Sporre, drums ) who joined the band in Stockholm in 1980. After some hard time when they struggled due to lack money or contract with record company finally in 1981 they released their first full-length album “Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks”. In the meantime they were touring extensively all over Finland and Sweden. By 1982 they moved to London and released albums “Oriental Beat” and “Self Destruction Blues”. Then Razzle ( Nick Dingley, drums ) replaced Gipsy Casino and it was beginning of their worldwide career. Following two studio albums “Back To Mystery City”, “Two Steps From The Move” and a lived album “All Those Wasted Years” were well accepted and sold in million copies all over the world. The band went on tours in Japan, mainland Asia (India, HongKong, Vietnam) and Europe ( UK, Norway, Sweden, native Finland ). But gigs in America in 1984 seemed to be their breakthrough tour. They played west coast in November and looked for Los Angeles shows which were all sold out in less than half an hour. But then came the tragic death of Razzle in a car accident nearby Redondo Beach, California. Tour dates were cancelled, the worldwide success passed them by. Hanoi Rocks disbanded next year after the short tour in Poland with Terry Chimes (ex-The Clash)on drums. Their last concert in Poznań, Poland in May’85 was recorded and released as a live album titled “Rock’n’roll Divorce”. The band was reactivated in 2003 by Michael Monroe and Andy McCoy, released next two albums, made some gigs and finally came to an end in 2009. In conclusion, I recommend to watch and listen to live versions of their classic songs recorded in Poland in 1985. Personally I saw one of their last concerts, I must say that was truly great show.

 

Frazier Chorus - Synthpop Velvet Anarchists

Frazier Chorus was a four-piece group from Brighton ( south England ), active in years 1986 - 1996, with band members Tim Freeman, Kate Holmes ( later in another synthpop star Client ), Chris Taplin and Michele Alardyce. They released three albums and several singles which achieved moderate chart success. Their first two albums "Sue" ( Virgin, V 2578 ) from 1989 and "Ray" ( Virgin, VFC 2654 ) from 1991 were created by complete band and released by Virgin Records. The third album "Wide Awake" released by small independent label Pure Records in 1996 was more a solo project of the charismatic band leader Tim Freeman. Frazier Chorus's music is classic synthpop with elements from shoegaze and dreampop. A little gem in their songlist is a cover of The Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the UK" made in soft, polished and almost etheric style. My personal choices from their albums are songs : "Dream Kitchen", "Forgetful" and mentioned above "Anarchy in the UK".

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 42 - My Independence Day

Level 42 is an unusual group that didn't experienced almost any distinctive changes to its music over last 35 years. Once they started as the jazz-funk influenced dance orientable band way back in 1979 they maintained this style and image throughout  whole of their career. What more, they achieved quite a big success, especially int the 80's when they released several albums which were highly acclaimed by music press and well received by audience, so thanks to them they gained worldwide fame. Their last to this date production is a six track EP entitled "Sirens", self-released by band on 31 October 2013. My personal choice from this record is the charming song titled "My Independence Day".

Mirel Wagner - When The Stellar Children See The Light Of The Day

Last month, Mirel Wagner, an amazing balladeer from Finland released her second album titled „When The Stellar Children See The Light Of The Day” ( Sub Pop Records, SP1075 ) and it might be easily considered as The Album of August’2014. She is a singer/songwriter born in Ethiopia and raised in Finland who writes mainly blues and folk ballads touched by dark mood. Her debut studio album, self-titled „Mirel Wagner” ( Bone Voyage Recordings, BONE-0172 ) was released in 2011 and immiediateley met enthusiastic reviews. So let’s listen the second album’s opener, a song simply titled „1,2,3,4” and next one "Oak Tree".