Infected by Records

TWI 220 / 1983 - I was very excited to have this record. I had just been constantly listening to the great record by Tirez Tirez called "Etudes" which features Mikel Rouse. Looking around for anything else by this artist, I searched the internet to be shunned by ebay and other such sites, including Amazon. The stuff isn't easy to find. So, I'm standing in my basement, moving some stuff around, and I uncovered this one by the Mikel Rouse Broken Consort. It was recorded in '83, only a few years after the aforementioned gem. Unfortunately for me, this one didn't work quite the same. The repetitive horns blew over minimal keyboard strokes, but the whole thing lacked originality and spark for me. The cover is sparse and intriguing, the LP was pressed in Belgium. My price was a 99 cent Princeton Record Exchange 'forever' sticker on both the cover and label. The cover sticker ripped my jacket. Those guys at PRE suck with those stickers, if you don't already know.

Even though I am tempted to keep this one for collecting sake, I think i will let it go to someone who enjoys the style of 'broken merry-go-round music'. For me, I'll put the "etudes" record back on, and wonder if any second find ever matches the quality of the first.

Overall grade C/ don't seek it out, its just not a winner.

Labels: Filling In The Collection

A&M SP 12072 / 1983 - This simple looking twelver is nice enough new wave, if not late and predictable. With a hint of reggae backsplashed, a common and repetitive beat, simplified lyrics, and a modernistic art cover, you have it all without having anything.

Produced by Colin Thurston, this is a DJ copy, as I don't think it was ever released. AMG doesn't recognize the band on its website, but there is a Photos from 1980 on Columbia, unless this is them after they were dropped and switched labels, but my gut says no. I found this single on the net for about $7-$15. I got my copy for $2 at Zerns in Gilbertsville. The record store there is tiny and limited, but the owner was genuinely interested in helping. It is the only piece I bought that day, about two weeks ago. Overall grade C+/common and decent, listenable and forgettable single. Perfect for a comprehensive new wave collector, but not for those looking for the "creamy" stuff only.

Labels: Filling In The Collection

Strange Fruit 066 / 1989 - 4 song ep that plays pretty much like any great Siouxsie material. sloppy and aching. i have been picking up all of the Peel Sessions records that I can find, because John Peel knew what was up. Hong Kong Garden is a classic, and Helter Skelter has some dissonant opening riffs that slow it down to a death march.

I picked this record up for 1-, overall grade B-/don't really find it better than the originals.

Labels: Filling In The Collection