Retrovision: Billy Idol - Eyes Without a Face

"Eyes Without a Face" was released 40 years ago and became Billy Idol's first single to reach the Billboard Hot 100. The song was inspired by the title of the French horror film Les Yeux sans visage (1960). It featured backing vocals from Perri Lister, who was also Idol's partner at the time. Prior to this, Lister had provided backing vocals for Visage and Kid Creole and the Coconuts. Additionally, she appeared topless in Duran Duran's video for the song "The Chauffeur."

Instant Hit: Oto - Anyway

 The French Minimal wave/Post punk outfit Oto who were formed in 1979 released two singles and one EP back in the 80s. "Anyway" was recorded and released in Paris, in 1984 while their EP Purge and Urge followed two years later in 1986 after which the band disbanded. "Anyway" was reissued in 2022 by Replica records with the original B-sides.

Retrovision: Siouxsie and Banshees - Swimming Horses

 Forty years ago, Siouxsie and Banshees released "Swimming Horses" which was the first single from their sixth album Hyæna released in 1984. Unlike their previous singles, this song was based on the piano melody making it a great gothic art pop experiment.

Instant Hit: The Popular Sex - This May Save Your Life

The Popular Sex released their only album, Power of Suggestion, during their brief stint in 1984. Reportedly, the album features tracks recorded from the late 70s up to 1981. It was released by a small Atlanta label called Wild Carbon Software. Here in this feature we would like to present the closing and our favorite track of the album, "This May Say Your Live."

Instant Hit: Big Ben Tribe - Tarzan Loves The Summer Nights

Four decades ago, the Italian trio Big Ben Tribe, hailing from Trieste, unveiled their third and ultimate single "Tarzan Loves the Summer Nights," featuring the vocals of Clara Moroni. Interestingly, a year later, Baltimora would gain international success for incorporating a Tarzan reference into his work.

Instant Hit: James Cuts - Sexify You

 James Lebon, a London-based hairdresser, graphic designer, and film director, made a foray into the music industry under the alias James Cuts. He recorded a song that served as a promotional piece for his professional work. The track, featuring Alan Rankine from The Associates on guitar/bass, was released by Les Disques Du Crépuscule in 1984.

Retrovision: Scritti Politti - Absolute

"Absolute" was one of the lead tracks taken from Scritti Polittis's second album Cupid & Psyche '85, released in June 1985. This song and the video however were released a year before and the video for the song was directed by John Scarlett-Davies.

Retrovision: Jyl- Mechanic Ballerina

Even today in the era of reissues and remasters this act remains quite enigmatic. The project was fronted by by American female vocalist Jyl Porch while the production matters remained in the hands of Ingo Werner. The video is produced by Joachim Ballon and features footage of Jyl from 1985. The song was featured on Jyl's only album released in 1984.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFV15M8Agiw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFV15M8Agiw

Instant Hit: A.T.R.O.X.- Overture to the Tales

"Overture to the Tales" was the opening track from the second album by the Italian minimal wave act A.T.R.O.X. Like this tune, the album included eleven other tracks, in which the band explored synthetic electronic sound with a superb experimental vein. The album from which the singles was taken was titled Water Tales and was originally released in 1984 and reissued in 2015. 

Instant Hit: Rive Gauche- Friends Are Friends

Rive Gauche was a short lived minimal-synth duo from Belgium who only released one single during their brief existence in the mid-80’s. Both songs on the recorded featured the singer Carol who also released “Breakdown” in 1981 and who later made appearance on the cover of this song by Snowy Red. “Friends are Friends”/alt."Friends and Friends" was also featured on A Tribute to Some Bizarre Vol.12 compilation which was released unofficially.

Fiat Lux Reveal "Secrets" 2017

We have stumbled upon some really great news for the Fiat Lux fans. This year, one of their trademark singles and the first song that got us into them has been rerecorded and reissued as "Secrets 2017". The song was originally released in 1984 when the band also planned to release their only album "Hired History" which was shelved back then and whose rights still lies in the hands of Polydor records. 

David and Steve, the the two remaining members (Ian Nelson who sadly passed away in 2006) did an interview with Electricity Club, in February this year which gives some exclusive information about the band itself, about the lost album and much more. More info here.

 

Retrovision: Fire Inc- Tonight’s What it Means to be Young

Introduced as ‘A Rock & Roll Fable’, Street of Fire was released and became hit in 1984. The film is a mix of musical, action, neo-noir, drama, and comedy, with elements of retro-1950s and 1980s. It also provide a brilliant Soundtrack from which today we remember “Tonight’s What it Means To be Young” originally sang by Ellen Aim and in the movie performed by Diane Lane.

Retrovision: Cristina- Ticket to the Tropics

"Ticket to the Tropics" was the last single release for Cristina Monet-Palaci who recorded under the name Cristina. She released two albums and several singles in the first half of the decade. Her music was related to disco, funk and no wave and she certainly is one of the most underrated New wave stars. "Ticket to the Tropics" was released in 1984 and the video for the song is considered extremely rare. Thanks dear youtuber who shared this.

Lost Videos: Experimental Products- Glowing in the Dark

Another great tune from 1984 that sadly did not chart on our 1984 singles countdown. It's one of the two singles Experimental Products released during their career. An excellent and obscure synth-pop at dead center of the eighties sounding very futuristic and ahead of its time. The single was reissued in 2005 and has been covered and remixed by DJ Hell. Even without touching still very up-to-date with today's music.

OMD's Junk Culture Deluxe Reissue Announced

During their recent interview for BBC Radio 6 Music, Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys have confirmed the 2CD deluxe reissue of their fifth studio album "Junk Culture" from 1984.The album which peaked at #9 in the UK and #182 in the US and gave us four hit-singles - "Locomotin, "Talking Loud And Clear", "Tesla Girls", and "Never Turn Away" - will be reissued next year instead of previously announced November 25th of this year. More info on the album's re-release to follow soon. 

Retrovision: Belaboris- Rakkauden Jälkeen

Thirty years ago Belaboris released their final tune and said good bye to the music world in this format. This was a cover version of the Finish singer Carola who released this song in the late 60's. The band managed to release their one and final album during the same year. Their recording material was recently picked up by Dark Entries Records and released on a compilation entitled 'Once Upon a Time'.

Retrovision: Edward Ka Spel - Eye Contact

Thirty years ago Edward Ka Spel released his debut album 'Laugh China Doll'. A great record of minimal synth and abstract electronic. The album has been reissued twice since the original release.

Today we focus on "Eye Contact", one of my favorite tracks from the album with its seminal video.

Alphaville's 12" and b-sides to be Released on a Compilation.

German based DJs Blank & Jones continue their long-running so80s (SoEighties) series this October with a new release focusing on German synthpop band Alphaville. Best remembered for their 1984 hit singles "Big In Japan" and "Forever Young", Alphaville released three albums on the Warner label in the 1980s but like many eighties pop bands struggled to match the success of the early records in the 90's.

 This new two-CD so80s collection celebrates 30 years of Alphaville and features all 1980′s twelve-inch versions and B-sides, all of which have remastered from the original master tapes. In addition, this comes with a 36-page booklet with rare photos and a track-by-track annotation by the group. Online retailer JPC.de are offering exclusive autographed versions of this new release. so80s presents Alphaville is released on 31 October 2014. 

 www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/soeighties-presents-alphaville
 

Retrovison: Alison Moyet- All Cried Out

Thirty years ago Alison Moyet released "All Cried Out", one of her biggest hits to date and the best charting hit from her debut album 'Alf'. This album was her first official release after Yazoo disbanded. "All Cried Out" reached #8 in the UK charts. The song was written by Moyet and producers Jolley & Swain. Today, Alison Moyet is still active in music, last year she released her eight studio album 'the minutes' and coming up next month is her new album 'Minutes and Seconds- Live'.

Jimmy Sommerville's Video and Rarities Compilation Announced

Edsel has announced the release a Jimmy Somerville compilation, 'Dance & Desire • Rarities & Videos' in November. This compilation brings together music and videos from across Somerville’s career beginning with Bronski Beat, moving through the Communards and then Jimmy’s solo career. The story turns full circle with the inclusion of "Smalltown Boy (Reprise 2014)" a new version of the classic track with an accompanying promo film. 'Dance & Desire • Rarities & Videos' includes rare remixes (and videos) not compiled on the previous deluxe reissues, most notably the original twelve-inch versions of 1984 hits "Smalltown Boy" and the full ‘Son Of Gotham City’ mix of "Don’t Leave Me This Way". 'Dance & Desire • Rarities & Videos' will be released on 17 November 2014.

http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/jimmy-somerville-dance-desire-rarities-videos-2cddvd/