Saturday, December 29, 2007

Best of 2007- The Singles List


01. Klaxons - Golden Skans
02. Manic Street Preachers - Autumnsong
03. The Rakes - Suspicious Eyes
04. The Shins - Phantom Limb
05. Interpol - No I In Threesome
06. Andrew Bird - Fiery Crash
07. Erasure - I Could Fall In Love With You
08. Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position
09. The Knife - Marble House
10. Chromatics - Hands in the Dark
11. Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own
12. Cold War Kids - We Used To Vacation
13. Debbie Harry - Two Times Blue
14. Digitalism - Pogo
15. Duran Duran - Falling Down
16. Panda Bear - Take Pills
17. Bruce Springsteen - Radio Nowhere
18. Arcade Fire - Intervention
19. Paul Haig - Reason
20. Modest Mouse - Dashboard
21. Of Montreal - Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse
22. Rooney - When Did Your Heart Go Missing
23. Siouxsie Sioux - Into A Swan
24. Radiohead - 15 Step
25. The National - Mistaken For Strangers
26. Pete And The Pirates - Knots
27. Shitdisco - Disco Blood
28. Shriekback - Hooray for Everything
29. Husky Rescue - Nightless Night
30. The Killers - Tranquilize
31. Interpol - Pioneer To The Falls
32. Dave Gahan - Kingdom
33. Kim Wilde - Perfect Girl
34. Glass Candy - Rolling Down The Hills
35. Metric - On The Sly
36. Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse- Valerie
37. Simian Mobile Disco - Hustler
38. CSS - Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above
39. Chromeo - Bonafied Lovin'
40. Maps - It Will Find You
41. Richard Hawley - Tonight The Streets Are Ours
42. Feist - My Moon My Man
43. The Ponys - Double Vision
44. Working For A Nuclear Free City - Rocket
45. Papercuts - The World I Love
46. Roisin Murphy - Overpowered
47. Hot Hot Heat - Let Me In
48. Annie Lennox - Dark Road
49. The The - Mrs Mac
50. The Fratellis - Whistle For The Choir

Friday, December 28, 2007

Instant Hit: And One- Forever J

This year, one of the songs I've been listening to frequently is a cover by the German group And One. Originally recorded by Terry Hall and released in the early 90s, this cover version later became a B-side of the single "Wasted," released by And One around 2000.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura was an English group formed in the winter of 1982. It originally consisted of two members Peter Oldroyd and Nigel James. Peter had been in several bands prior to this and just returned from living in Belgium. Nigel met Peter in a nightclub after a gig and they decided the write some songs together.

Four compositions came out of this initial session of writing and two of them, “Destitution” and “Race in Athens” became the duo's first single on Small Wonder Records in the spring of 1983. Their only LP 'Horizonts of Suburbia' was recorded in 1983 but stayed unreleased until it was released on Anna Logue Records in 2005. This record featured ten catchy synth-pop songs mixing with minimal electronics.

In 1985 Camera Obscura extended into a 4-piece line up (Gary Scargill and Rob Gospel were added) and the Quartet formed Paradise Now in '86. Nigel left in '87 and was replaced by Steve Wright from Fiat Lux. In 1989 Peter and Gary formed the extremely successful Ded Good Music but sadly the Band ended there. However, Camera Obscura never actually split up, Peter and Nigel have just had a long break until now.....

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

VA- After Dark

'After Dark' is one of the best compilations that was released this year on Italians Do It Better Records. It features groups like Glass Candy, Chromatics, Mirage, Farah and more. They all have one thing in common, their electro/synth/italo sound in combination with smooth female vocals. Here is one example of a lost 80's New Wave song "Hands In The Dark" which was recorded by Dark Day with Robin Crutchfield on vocals. This song has been covered by the Chromatics. Both songs are available here.

Dark Day- Hands in The Dark

Chromatics- Hands in The Dark

Monday, December 17, 2007

Insant Hit: Fiat Lux- Photography

"Photography" was released as Fiat Lux' second single in 1983 on Polydor Records. This record was produced by Hugh Jones and it appeared as 7", 12" and on the Hired History. In 2019,  the album was reissued by Cherry Red as Hired History Plus including the lost album Ark of Embers.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Furniture

Furniture was a British group, that was active from 1979 to 1991. The group's members consisted of Jim Irvin on vocals and percussion, Sally Still on bass, Maya Gilder on keyboards, Tim Whelan on guitar, Hamilton Lee on drums and Larry N’Azone on saxophone.

Furniture was formed in the Ealing area of London, England. The group's founding members were Irvin, Whelan and Lee. After few line up changes in the early 80's, Still and Gilder joined in 1983 and Furniture released their first EP entitled 'When the Boom Was On', on the Premonition imprint of the Ealing based Survival record label. Switching to the main label, they released their next single, "Dancing the Hard Bargain", produced by a former member of Blue Zoo, Tim Parry; followed by "Love Your Shoes", produced by former member of The Teardrop Explodes, Troy Tate; and a self-produced EP "I Can't Crack". Some of this material was collected on an LP on Survival, The Lovemongers.
In 1986 the band switched to Stiff Records and released the single "Brilliant Mind", which peaked at number 21 in the UK Singles Chart. "Brilliant Mind" is the band’s most popular song. It has since been used on a series of 1980s compilation albums, and as regular incidental music in "World Shut Your Mouth" for the character with the cymbals. A re-recorded version of "Brilliant Mind" featured in the John Hughes film, Some Kind of Wonderful.

The band attempted to build on their success by releasing a second single, (a re-recorded version of) "Love Your Shoes". By this time Stiff Records was in financial crisis and could only afford to press a limited number of singles. Advance orders for their album 'The Wrong People' were fulfilled with a pressing of 30,000 copies, which sold out quickly, but Stiff Records went into liquidation and was sold to ZTT who pressed no further copies of the album.
In 1989 the band signed to Arista Records and released the album 'Food, Sex and Paranoia', which was produced by Mike Thorne. Sessions got underway for a third album, to be released on Survival (who also managed the band), but were curtailed when the label's recording studio was shut down. Furniture decided to take some time off after a series of gigs, one of which was a headlining slot on the second stage at the 1990 Reading Festival, and reconvene after the release of a compilation album, 'She Gets Out The Scrapbook' - released on vinyl and CD by Survival in 1991.

But the reunion never happened. Irvin made an album under the name 'Because' (1991), and has since been a music journalist for Melody Maker, Mojo, The Guardian and Time Out. Whelan and Lee went on to form Transglobal Underground in 1992.
An active fan forum, named "Wrongpeople" after the band's album, has existed since 2002 on Yahoo. Fans of Furniture discuss the band's music, and exchange information and updates on re-releases.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Hilary Blake 1950-2007

Hilary Blake, also known simply as Hilary, emerged onto the music scene with a single and EP in 1983. Despite limited online information, it is noted that she was from Los Angeles and was recognized as one of the pioneering female artists in the synth-pop genre. Tragically, she passed away in August 2007. Her legacy endures primarily through her standout single, "Kinetic."


Tuesday, December 11, 2007

New Visage

Few weeks ago I posted a topic about the new Visage song that was going to be available soon. Now you can get the brand new Visage song in full on the official website. 

http://www.visagemusic.com/

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Instant Hit: Secession- Michael

"Michael" was one of the several singles Secession released between 1983 and 1987. It was released in 1986 and marked the label change from Beggars Banquet to Siren Records and it also appeared on their only album release Dark Enchantment released a year later.


Friday, December 7, 2007

Echo And The Bunnymen- Ocean Rain Concert

Echo And The Bunnymen are to play their classic 1984 album 'Ocean Rain' in with full orchestra. The concert will be held in London's Royal Albert Hall on September 16th next year.


More info here:
http://www.bunnymen.com/

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Minor Detail

Minor Detail was an Irish Synth-Pop duo consisting of the brothers John And Willie Hughes. They formed Minor Detail in the early 80's and released only one self titled album "Minor Detail". Soon after that, they split and John Hughes eventually became the manager of the Corrs . Their music was an expression of Longing, Romance and Peace. "Canvas of Life", "Take It Again" and "She's Back" were the only Minor Detail single releases. Their album was never released on CD.

More info:


Retrovision: Comateens- The Late Mistake

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Instant Hit- The Blue Nile- I Love This Life

"I Love This Life" served as the debut single for the Glasgow-based band Blue Nile, released in 1981 under their own label, Peppermint Records. The song showcased a more minimalistic style compared to the music Blue Nile would later become known for. Interestingly, this single did not appear on any of the Blue Nile albums released throughout their career

Blue Peter- The Millenium Collection

The Best of Blue Peter, 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection has recently been released(Nov 20, 2007) by Universal Music Canada . This release features 15 remastered tracks and includes songs such as Radio Silence, Video Verite, Chinese Graffiti, and Don't Walk Past. The songs were compiled by Peter Moore.



Thursday, November 22, 2007

One Year of The Burning Flame Blog

Today is exactly one year since this blog started on Wordpress. I really enjoyed working on it and hope I managed to deliever some useful info about some lost bands. Here is the line up of the bands that were featured here:

The Associates, Josef K, I Start Counting, Nits, Blue Zoo, D.A.F., Fiat Lux, Fay Ray, Dalis Car, Tik And Tok, Thick Pigeon, Pink Industry, Images In Vogue, Stockholm Monsters, Terry Hall, Fra Lippo Lippi, Ronny, UV POP, Polyrock,
Do Re Mi, Dark Day, Mydolls, Intaferon, Snowy Red, The Beloved, Vitamin Z,
Leisure Process, Alison Statton, Mathematiques Modernes, Foreign Press, Black, Winston Tong, Little Nemo, Max and Malcolm, Seppuku

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Box Of Toys

Box of Toys, a British New Wave group, was formed in 1983, making a notable impact during their brief tenure. Under the Inevitable Records (UK) label, they released the singles "I'm Thinking Of You Now" and "Precious Is The Pearl." The band's lineup comprised Brian Atherton (Keyboards, Vocals), Andy Redhead (Drums), Roy Campbell (Bass), and Phil Martin (Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Oboe, Flute). Despite utilizing synthesizers and a drum machine, Box of Toys stood out from their contemporaries in the New Wave scene due to their unique musical approach.

The band's distinct sound was evident in their use of synthesizers and drum machines, setting them apart from their peers. In 1983, they also recorded a Peel session, but shortly after, the band disbanded. Following the split, the members ventured into different musical projects, with some forming bands such as 3D and The Light.


Sunday, November 18, 2007

Radiohead- In Rainbows Artwork

Few weeks ago 'In Rainbows' was released as a digital download on the internet for which users chose their own price. The cover artwork for the physical release, which is scheduled to be released later this year, has been revealed.


Here are some expressions of the 'In Rainbow' theme and how some people saw it.







More themes here:
http://www.hicksdesign.co.uk/journal/cover-art-for-in-rainbows

Retrovision: Polyrock- Romantic Me

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Seppuku

Seppuku was a Swedish New Wave band which was formed by friends Rasmus, Ronny and Fredric in 1984. The trio started to experiment with music, which was the result of their common interest in spy flicks, electronic music, Asian culture and space-age futurism.

“Under Your Control”/”A New Illusion” was released in 1984 which brought some line up changes and a tour in Swedish metropolises as Varnamo, Norrkoping, Ljungby and Oskarshamn, through Germany and the BeNeLux countries and ends up in Le Havre, France. Back home again, the latter city is sung about in one of the new songs; “Assignment France”, which is part of another successful recording session. The other two tracks on this session are; “Man Utan Moral” and the still unreleased; “Hon Gav Mig Allt”.

After these few releases the band disappeared into the blue. Three of the members are still in the music business while the other two became professional football players. Two of their songs appeared on the compilation Reminiscent which was released in 2004.


Thursday, November 15, 2007

Instant Hit: This Island Earth- Take Me to The Fire

"Take Me To The Fire" was one of the two singles released by the five-piece band This Island Earth during their brief existence in the mid-80s. The single was available in both 7" and 12" formats and featured "Pearl of Love" as its B-side. Released in 1985 by Magnet, the track received regular airplay on WLIR radio during the summer of 1985.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Max and Malcolm

Max and Malcolm is one of the most obscure records I ever found on the internet. It was recorded by two former members of the group Metabolist. They recorded this LP back in 1982 on Dangerous Rhythms. There is not much info available about this record apart that the A side was named Max and the B side was Malcolm's. Both sides featured a great mix of Post punk, minimal synth and avantgarde.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Steve Strange and Visage Mark II

Steve Strange the vocalist of the band Visage has a new Visage. Most people remember him thanks the New Romantic anthem "Fade To Gray". Steve Strange performed this song two years ago with a new line up and now there are romours about a new song "Diary of a Madman". There is a clip for this song on their official website which will hopefully offer more info and content in the future.

The Devastations Yes, U

Following the success of The National, Beggars Banquet has another notable release with the third album from the Australian group Devastations. This album, released worldwide in September (excluding the United States), boasts ten tracks characterized by a minimal downtempo sound. Accompanied by striking cover art, the album showcases the artistic depth and musical prowess of Devastations.



Saturday, November 10, 2007

Little Nemo

Little Nemo was a French music group who released several albums in the late 80’s and early 90’s. There sound was clearly influenced by early 80’s sound of the Cure and Joy Division as well as by the French groups Taxi Girl and Marquis De Sade.

The founding members of the group were Oliver Champeau and Vincent Gallo. They named the group after a comic strip dating back to early 20th century and telling adventures of a little boy during his sleep.
Little Nemo released their first tape as a very confidential edition, while 1987 saw the release of their ten-title tape ‘Past and Future’ which was meant to be conceptual. As the title already says Past and Future confronted, A side telling about passing time, B side looking into the future. They release a mini LP ‘Private Life’ after becoming a trio in 1988. The theme of the passing time is taken again.

‘Sounds In The Attic’ is their third album, released in 1989. It features more diversity and energy as we were used to hear on the previous ones. The opening title, "New Flood" and its devastating bass in the Sisters of Mercy's style is an indication of this change of tone.

After few more albums and style changes the beautiful adventure ends with the bankruptcy of the label Single Ko. Vincent's solo album will not be released and Little Nemo splits after 10 years of existence.

Retrovision: Nits- In the Dutch Mountains

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Instant Hit: Leningrad Sandwich- Deadline

"Deadline" was the second track on Leningrad Sandwich's second album, Heat, released in 1982. While no singles were taken from this album, "Deadline" encapsulates the post-punk beat that characterized the overall sound of the album.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Next Wave: Hotel Motel

Hotel Motel is an interesting trio whose sound is a perfect combination of soulful vocals, nice synth lines and raw guitar riffs. Recently I discovered them on MySpace. Currently they are recording their debut EP which is going to be released soon. Below you can check their first single "Sucker Man."


Monday, November 5, 2007

Winston Tong

Winston Tong is a San Francisco-based performance artist and singer, celebrated both for his solo work and his collaborations with the cult group Tuxedomoon.


In late 1977 Tong met an early incarnation of Tuxedomoon, then comprising Steven Brown, Blaine Reininger and Victoria Lowe, after Lowe invited Tong to perform at a self-organized salon, Chez Dada. Afterwards Tong agreed to perform with the band as and when time allowed, a flexible arrangement which would remain in place until he finally ceased working with the band in 1985. At about the same time Tong met Bruce Geduldig, who would take on responsibility for visuals and staging with both Tong and Tuxedomoon.


Tong's first record appeared in the spring of 1979 and is a Tuxedomoon release in all but name. Featuring TM members Brown, Reininger, Peter Principle and Paul Zahl, "The Stranger" paid homage to the existential classic by Albert Camus, while the flipside "Love/No Hope" offered spiky angst-rock at one with the first two Tuxedomoon EPs, "No Tears" and "Scream With a View".
A second Tong solo release appeared in early 1983 through Les Disques du Crepuscule. In its original form 'Like the Others' was a handsome cassette and book package, featuring several oblique monologues with sympathetic backing by Tuxedomoon. The title track appeared as a single in France, while an expanded CD edition later added an improvised live track, Last Words at the Scaffold, on which Tong is backed by members of Tuxedomoon and Cabaret Voltaire.

At the beginning of 1983, Blaine Reininger quit Tuxedomoon for a solo career, and although he would return in 1987, this setback left the band inactive for much of the next two years, so Tong released another solo album. This next album was produced by Alan Rankine (ex Associates) and Dave Formula (ex Magazine), 'Theoretical China' featured a stellar cast of guest musicians including Jah Wobble, Simon Topping (A Certain Ratio) and Steven Morris (New Order), although despite the exceptional pedigree of the supporting players the track doesn't quite gel as a funk-dance cut. 'Theoretical China' appeared on Crepuscule in November 1984, backed by The Hunger on 12" format, yet the single was credited to Tong alone. For whatever reason, Mono found herself frozen out of the project, and recording of the album continued with Persian born singer Sussan Deyhim on backing vocals and Alan Rankine handling all production, arrangements, instruments and sequencing. It's worth noting that a number of early Tong/Mono songs were dropped for the album, including To You, Incubo, Zimbabwe and Dream Assassins, although the latter did get as far as a formal recording.

The Winston Tong 'pop' album eventually appeared as 'Theoretically Chinese' in October 1985. It's an album of peerless electronic dance pop, the sound expansive and expensive, and a million miles from the angst, night and fog for which Tuxedomoon were renowned. Lush ballad "Reports From the Heart" was the deserved second single, while "Big Brother" and a cover of "Broken English" by Marianne Faithfull proved on the money as sophisticated disco. The album sold well enough in Europe, although Crepuscule must have been galled that there were no live dates in support, and that Tong had already donated his best solo composition, "In A Manner of Speaking", to Tuxedomoon.
Today, Winston lives in San Francisco and is working on new projects. He appeared with Tuxedomoon for their 25th year reunion concerts in the city in March 2005.

http://www.ltmpub.freeserve.co.uk/wtbio.html

Friday, October 19, 2007

The Killers- Sawdust

'Sawdust' is the forthcoming compilation of B-sides, rarities and remixes by the Las Vegas rock band The Killers. The album is set for release in the United States on November 13, and on November 12, in the UK. "Tranquilize" is the first single from the album which features Lou Reed.

The song was made available for download on iTunes(UK) from October 12th, there will also be limited edition etched 7" vinyl of "Tranquilize" avalaible from November 5th, it will feature a lyric from the song hand picked by Brandon Flowers etched onto one side.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Yazoo- The 25th Aniversary

This year Yazoo celebrates its 25th anniversary. In 1982, they released their biggest hits "Only You", "Don't Go" and the album 'Upstairs At Eric's'. Their 'Bad Connection' site has recently updated and contains new sections and some information which has been added.


Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Black

Black was a British group which was formed in Liverpool, England in the early 80’s.The main figure of this unit was the singer/ songwriter Colin Vearncombe. In 1987 they would score on of the biggest hits of 80’s music, the “Wonderful Life”.


The first incarnation of Black, consisting of Vearncombe and a cast of anonymous session players, debuted with the single "Human Features" on the local Rox label. The record quickly sold out, and soon Vearncombe was approached by the Eternal label, operated by fellow Liverpudlians Pete Wylie and Wah! With the addition of ex-Last Chant keyboardist Dave Dickie and bassist Jimmy Sangster, Black became a true band, and soon issued their sophomore effort "More Than the Sun".

The trio eventually came to the attention of WEA, which funded Black's third single "Hey Presto". The record stiffed, however, and when an orchestral rendition of "More Than the Sun" met a similar fate, Black were dropped from their contract. Some 18 months of writing and searching for a new record deal followed before Vearncombe was contacted by the tiny Ugly Man label, which issued the minor hit "Wonderful Life." Soon A&M came calling, and in 1987 Black scored a UK Top Ten hit with "Sweetest Smile" the follow-up, a reworked "Wonderful Life," was also successful.
The group's debut LP, also titled 'Wonderful Life', appeared in late 1987, and was well-received throughout Europe. Three years after their biggest hit, the group finally resurfaced in 1991 with an eponymously-titled LP featuring cameos from Robert Palmer and Sam Brown. Black soon left A&M, and after teaming with producer Mike Hedges issued ‘Are We Having Fun Yet?’ on their own mail order label Nero Schwartz in 1993.
After a prolonged hiatus, Vearncombe returned in 1999 to release a string of critically acclaimed recordings under his own name. In 2005 though he returned to the band format and name to release a new recording entitled ‘Between Two Churches’
Update:
The lead singer Colin Vearncombe sadly passed away after being in coma after a car accident. He was 53 years old.


Monday, October 15, 2007

Instant Hit: Informatics- Accident In Paradise

Australian band Informatics released "Accident in Paradise" in 1985 as their second single on Last Chance Records in Germany. The same song was reissued in 2003 by Punx.


Sunday, October 14, 2007

Radiohead- In Rainbows

'In Rainbows' is the seventh studio album by the English rock band Radiohead. It was first released on 10 October 2007 as a digital download, and is scheduled to be released on 3 December 2007 as a "discbox" with a second CD of additional material. By the day of its release, In Rainbows had sold 1.2 million copies as digital downloads.


Friday, October 12, 2007

WAW: Kylie Minogue- Two Hearts

Kylie is going to release her 10th album 'X' this Autumn. The single "Two Hearts" is a little warm up for the album. Here some rocky Kylie with some Goldfrapp and Madonna impressions.

Hooverphonic- The President of LSD Golfclub

Hooverphonic have released their sixth studio album 'The President of LSD Golfclub' on 7, October and the first single "Expedition Impossible" was released in September. The album is rumored to contain some of the additional songs composed for 'No More Sweet Music' that did not make it to the final release.

Foreign Press

After the initial explosion of punk, and the cut and thrash of that genre, bands began to find there own direction and, occasionally, a name change would help to disassociate them from their original intentions, Emergency were one of those bands, and early in 1979 changed their name to Foreign Press, (999's single Emergency gave the final push, although as a band name, 'Emergency' lived on, in the shape of a Belfast based punk outfit) the name the band eventually settled on was Foreign Press, and with this name change came a first EP 'Downpour' on Streets Ahead, (SA1) recorded at Rochdale's Cargo Studios and Co produced by Joy Division's Rob Gretton.

Streets Ahead began life as a small record shop in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, (42 Lloyd Street) during the early 70's, owned and ran by Bob and Jane Jefferson, their interest in music was deep, and not just content with selling vinyl, they wanted to be involved in the whole process, initially by promoting gigs for the Youth club night at the nearby Bowdon Vale Social Club, as well as Foreign Press, bands such as Joy Division, The Fall, The Freshies, V2, The Passage, The Fast Cars all helped make the Youth club nights pass into legend. Bob also wanted to get involved with recording, and the unsigned Foreign Press took up his offer to record (the Chiswick label had been making their intents known about signing the band, but their constant stalling prompted the band to sign to Streets Ahead for a single deal)
It was around this time that a couple of the band members invested in a large ALTEC PA, not only for the use of the band, but also to hire out to anyone willing to part with the cash, and as many bands rehearsed at TJD's, the word soon spread, Joy Division took up the offer on more than one occasion, (The above Bowdon Vale gig being a prime example) this kept everyone busy, when not gigging themselves, we were out live mixing for other bands
Foreign Press, as Emergency before them, played the various infamous Manchester Venues of the period, so much so, it was remarked that "Tony Wilson has had Emergency/Foreign Press play the Factory so many times, I thought they were the House band".

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