Not really bought a whole lot this year, though here are a few bits and bobs that floated my boat, in no particular order.....
Membranes - What Nature Gives....
Absolutely love this record. As far as I'm concerned it's the best thing the Membranes have released, and I've been with them (on and off) since 'Spike Milligan's Tape recorder'.
Peaking Lights and Lee Perry et al - Life of The Plants
Lee Perry and Peaking lights shouldn't really work, but it kinda does. Analogue and FM sounds mix with Perry's weird ramblings rather well.
https://stonesthrow.bandcamp.com/album/life-of-the-plants
Rema Rema - Fond Reflections
This is a re-issue of sorts, a collection of everything they produced that wasn't officially released way back when. Though the band never released an album proper, this is as near as you'll get. CD version has more tracks than vinyl. Feat Marco Peroni before the Ants, and the two members of the Banshees who got kicked out, along with Gary Asquith (later of Renegade Soundwave/ Wolfgang Press) it's very much a dark post punk sound. I've really enjoyed it since I bought the download last Jan, so much so that the CD version was one of my Xmas Pressies (thanks Han!). Big Black did a cover of one of their tunes back in the 80's, and that was as much as I recall about them till this release. Web reviews are more miss than hit (as in most peeps don't like it) but I've really enjoyed listening. https://www.post-punk.com/cult-post-punk-band-rema-rema-to-release-their-debut-album-that-never-was-fond-reflections/
Arrington De Dyoniso - Honey And Poison
Another I bought early in 2019 and have muchly enjoyed. Mostly cos' it reminds me of prime era Pop Group, even down to his vocals, which are the spit of Mark Stewert. https://arrington.bandcamp.com/track/honey-and-poison
U-Bahn - U-Bahn
Australian Devo lovers create fabbo out there album
https://u-bahnband.bandcamp.com/releases
Dire Wolves - Grow Towards the Light
This is one I can love or hate depending on mood. Generally it's an Amon Duul II kinda improv vibe. The first track I find annoying whatever and always gets skipped unless it appears on shuffle and I don#t notice, but the rest is rather enjoyable alongside a smoke or glass pf your fav' poison. https://direwolvesbbib.bandcamp.com/
Follakzoid - I
If you're familiar with Follakzoid then you pretty much get what you expect, but good stuff nonetheless. https://follakzoid.bandcamp.com/album/i
Moon Duo - Stars Are The Light
At first I thought this was a bit lightweight for Moon Duo, but it's quickly become my fav release by them. Also killer gigs! https://moonduo.bandcamp.com/album/stars-are-the-light-2
Mystery Lights - Too Much Tension
These guys have that 60's Chocolate Watchband vibe down pat, though intermixed with weird Suicide electronic warblings. Love this album, it's hard to believe it's a new release not some long lost weird garage classic.
https://themysterylights.bandcamp.com/album/too-much-tension
EP's
Squid - Town Centre
Nice little 4 track from Brighton/London based youngsters. Heard bits on Marc Riley show and loved it. https://open.spotify.com/artist/685XjGzGztyivfR3fAjoxo
Re-issues
Rational Youth - Cold War Night Life (Expanded)
This is a reissue but new to me. If I'd a heard this back in the day
I'd have loved it, (as I do now). Top slab of Fad Gadget/John Foxx-esque syth pop. https://rationalyouth.bandcamp.com/album/cold-war-night-life-expanded-and-remastered
Pop Group - Y (Definitive Edition)
If you know it, I guess you love it? Disc 3 live tracks are nice, but not really essential. https://mutebank.co.uk/products/the-pop-group-y-definitive-edition-3cd-set
Coil - Live 5 (St Johns Church Gdansk)/ Live Copenhagen
https://www.thighpaulsandra.co.uk/store/c5/FLAC_%2F_M4A_%2F_MP3.html
Comps/ Various Artists
Dancing in Darkness EBM, Black Synth & Dark Beats from the 80's
Nice collection if you're too lazy to pick out the originals from your collection :) https://www.juno.co.uk/products/dancing-in-darkness-ebm-black-synth/723249-01/
Electrical Language; Independent British Synth Pop 78-84
Good collection of well know and less well known synth tunes.
https://www.juno.co.uk/products/electrical-language-independent-british-synth-pop/732418-01/
Optimism-Reject; Punk and Post-Punk Meets D-I-Y Aesthetic
Another goody if you can't be arsed to raid your shelves :)
https://www.juno.co.uk/products/optimism-reject-punk-post-punk-meets/738690-01/
Further Perspectives & Distortion – An Encyclopedia Of British Experimental And Avante-Garde Music 1976-1984
Post punk extravaganza of known/unknown. Cherry red records are on fire at the moment with their great comps. Most of the above are on Cherry Red releases. https://www.juno.co.uk/products/further-perspectives-distortion-an-encyclopedia-of/752636-01/
40 Years of Synth Punk
Free (or what you wanna pay ) from bandcamp ...
https://synthscene.bandcamp.com/album/40-years-of-synth-punk-volume-1-free-download
Sure there have been a few others I've mentioned over the year, but that's all I recall fer now. Have a good one!
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