Ministry - With Sympathy - CD (1983), U.S.A.

The end of October is upon us and to get into the spirit of Halloween (sort of), here is Ministry's first album, With Sympathy. Before Ministry turned into an Industrial/Heavy Metal band, they once performed synth pop music, similar to Fresh Color, The Human League and Another Day. Hard to imagine, but it's true!
Conceived in 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, the early incarnation of the band consisted of Alain "Al" Jourgensen (vocals/guitar) and Stephen George (drums). Upon reading a bit of history about this album, it brought me great fascination to find out that front man Al Jourgensen really hated this album and went so far as disowning it! It seems that doesn't seem to be the case anymore, since the official Ministry website actually lists the album in the discography page, whereas before it was mysteriously absent. Perhaps Al had a change of heart? Another interesting aspect about this album, was the involvement of former Psychedelic Furs drummer Vince Ely, along with Ian Taylor (Romeo Void, The Cars,...) in the production department.
I find it intriguing and sometimes find myself wondering what it'd been like if Al had kept churning out this sound for years. As a matter of fact, I'll unabashedly state, With Sympathy is my favorite Ministry album! I never tire of listening to Effigy (I'm Not An), Revenge and Say You're Sorry. The pulsating fat synth bass lines, drum beats and Al's smooth whiney vocals really draw me in. I'd say the only song in the album that really fails to catch my attention is the idiosyncratic sounding What He Say. Although, your mileage may vary. Enjoy!

Details:

Ministry - With Sympathy - CD (1983), U.S.A.

1. Effigy (I'm Not An)
2. Revenge
3. I Wanted To Tell Her
4. Work For Love
5. Here We Go
6. What He Say
7. Say You're Sorry
8. Should Have Known Better
9. She's Got A Cause

Review

More Information:
Official Website
Official Myspace
Discography

Gravity Pirates - New Age Dreams - LP (1987), Australia

I've realized, it's been a while since the last update. My apologies to all who were expecting monthly updates, but my interest in this blog temporarily veered off course. Now that I'm back, here is Gravity Pirates' second album, New Age Dreams. After their smashing debut album, This Way To The Cargo Cult, the band decided to make a 180 degree turn or how some would say, "Jumped the shark".

New Age Dreams, released in 1987, represents an unexpected change from the group. Instead of gradually evolving their sound like most other bands, they abruptly attack the listener with a callous statement, "Here's our new sound, love it or leave it!" All of the thundering drums, profound synths and cold guitars from their previous effort are now missing and substituted with acoustic guitars, light weight drumming and female vocals (by Sharon Van Tromp). To describe the new sound, I'd say it's a combination of Folk with touches of New Wave. One would really have to sit down and listen with an open mind to grasp the feeling of this album.
What happened? It's difficult to understand what provoked the band to promptly change their direction, but whatever the reason was, it definitely turned into a displeasing result. Although they did a decent rendition of Lou Reed's Femme Fatale, this album's surmountable paltry effort is just too much to take notice. Sorry Gravity Pirates, but I don't like it.

Details:

Gravity Pirates - New Age Dreams - LP (1987), Australia

Side One:

1. Feather

2. Driving

3. Bitterness & Tears

4. Chee

Side Two:

5. Lazy Sunday

6. Everyday

7. Femme Fatale

8. New Age Dreams

9. Plip Plops

Review

More Information:

Official Myspace?

Discography

Presence - Inside - CD (1993), U.K.

The next oddity for this month is another band from the U.K., called Presence. After Laurance "Lol" Tolhurst departed acrimoniously from The Cure in 1989, he went on to form this very short lived act with former Fools Dance vocalist, Gary Biddles and bassist, Michael Dempsey, who was also formerly of The Cure. Other members included Chris Youdell (keyboards) and Alan Burgess (drums). Rob Steen (guitar) and Roberto Soave would later join to replace Dempsey on bass to complete the line-up.
Free from the reigns of control of Robert Smith, Lol was able to meld his own sound. For those who are curious, Presence in some ways sounds how The Cure would've sounded if they evolved into an alternative rock band, but with the traditional dream-pop sound still intact. Don't believe me? The tracks taken from their album Inside, such as Act Of Faith, Pause and Missing are very good stark examples. This also makes a good argument for Cure fans to critique on Lol's influence or lack of influence (whichever you believe) while he was with The Cure.
Before anyone took notice of their brief existence, Presence released a very modest discography, which only included three singles and one critically acclaimed (but commercially unsuccessful) full length album. Nearing the end of this post, I'd like to point out the album I'm presenting here, was originally released in 1992 in the U.K. first (obviously) and then released in the U.S. a year later with two additional exclusive tracks (what a surprise!). Unfortunately, by the time the album was released in the states, the band had already split.

Details:

Presence - Inside - CD (1993), U.K.

1. Never
2. Fragments
3. Act Of Faith
4. On Ocean Hill
5. Revolve
6. Highest Peak
7. Pause
8. Raindown
9. Missing
10. In Wonder
11. All I See
12. Inside

Review

More Information:
Biography
Discography
Official Myspace
Official Website

Dream Command - Fire On The Moon - LP (1990), U.K.

To follow up on the previous post, here's an unforeseen oddity I've come across in my collection. Years ago, when my ex-girlfriend withdrew from our relationship, she left behind a small collection of vinyls she couldn't take. One of those were Dream Command's Fire On The Moon. Once the needle touched the groove on this record and my turn table started playing, I can immediately understand why.
There's a familiar sound to this album and the voice singing the cheesy lyrics: "This may come as a surprise, but I've got x-ray eyes..." is none other than Steve Fellows from The Comsat Angels! Reading behind the sleeve cover, confirms this and also reveals the rest of the CSA line-up Kevin Bacon (bass), Andy Peake (keyboards) and Mik Glaisher (drums) were involved.
It is unknown as to why the name change came to be for The Comsat Angels this time. They weren't under litigation from another delusional telecommunications company or other band bearing the same name. Perhaps they were trying to experiment how the market in the early 90's would react with the name change? Regardless of what the case may be, this album reveals The Comsat Angels' transition from their familiar post-punk/new wave sound into a more alternative rock oriented theme, but with unsatisfying results.
It's very difficult to convey my opinion about this album. After listening and really liking Chasing Shadows, Fire On The Moon left me feeling a bit uncertain and uncomfortable. There are some real stinkers in it and the only stand out tracks worth listening to are "Reach For Me", "Venus Hunter" and "Celestine".
Apparently, my feelings about this album aren't alone. According to sources, "the album was bounced back and forth between band and record company countless times, with neither party happy with the results". With no mutual agreement to be reached between Dream Command and Island Records, the album was "leaked" in limited quantities only in the U.S. and Holland. After this awkward affair, the band was subsequently dropped from the label, but fortunately this was not the end of The Comsat Angels. Review the album for yourself and see if you like it!

Details:

Dream Command - Fire On The Moon - LP (1990), U.K.

Side A:
1. Celestine
2. Whirlwind
3. Sleepwalking
4. Reach For Me
5. Ice Sculpture

Side B:
6. Venus Hunter
7. Phantom Power
8. Transport Of Delight
9. She's Invisible
10. Mercury

Review

More Information:
Official Myspace of Steve Fellows
Biography
Discography
Fan Page

The C.S. Angels - Chasing Shadows - LP (1986), U.K.

It's been quite a month for me, which is normally reserved for hiding indoors, yet I'm glad it turned into an unexpected and pleasant one. Before the end of the month quickly slips away, I'd like to briefly say that I've come a bit closer to my friends, reconnected with an old one and survived the "invisible" rapture.
Marching forth to the main agenda, here is Chasing Shadows by Sheffield, England's The Comsat Angels. After their brief time with Jive Records and unsuccessful album 7 Day Weekend, The Comsat Angels were without a label, until the late Robert Palmer, yes Robert "Simply Irresistible" Palmer approached and encouraged front man and guitarist Steve Fellows to sign with Island Records. In return for helping find a new label for the band, Robert Palmer is credited in the album as executive producer and did some vocal work for the song "You'll Never Know".
To explain the revised name, The Comsat Angels had to call themselves in the U.S. as The C.S. Angels, because a company named Communications Satellite Corporation (or COMSAT), believed the band infringed on their trademark. I found this rather bizarre and amusing since the name was originally taken from a short story by English writer, J.G. Ballard!
The album Chasing Shadows, to those who have heard it, is considered the band's return to form, reminiscent of the early Polydor Record years, à la Waiting For A Miracle, Sleep No More and Fiction. This is immediately noticeable in the dark, edgy opener "The Thought That Counts" along with "Under The Influence" and "You'll Never Know" with some mellow moments interspersed through out the album. Truthfully, I'd say this is one of The Comsat Angels' better albums, highly recommended and can be had for less than $10 (I acquired mine for $2!) on vinyl. Unlike the band's other releases, I found it mysterious and a bit depressing to see this one was left behind without a re-issue, but hopefully that'll change someday. Have a listen!

Details:

The C.S. Angels - Chasing Shadows - LP (1986), U.K.

Side One:
1. The Thought That Counts
2. The Cutting Edge
3. Under The Influence
4. Carried Away

Side Two:
5. You'll Never Know
6. Lost Continent
7. Flying Dreams
8. Pray For Rain

Review

More Information:
Official Myspace of Steve Fellows
Biography
Discography
Fan Page

Eyes Of God - The Dance Singles - Single (1985), U.S.A.

As I stated in my previous post, here's the next and possibly the last release Eyes Of God recorded in their brief stint in the independent San Francisco New Wave scene of the 80's. I'm disappointed to write to my amusement, this 12 inch single, is nothing more than an elaborate scheme conceived by their record label to fool the listener and quickly cash-in before anyone realized.
There are no "dance singles" or remixes of any sort to be found here, since all the songs were just ripped-off from their untitled release and stealthily packaged in a proper sleeve cover. The "Dub Mix" version of Sin Twist is EXACTLY the same as the one found in the EP release! It makes me wonder, if the members were aware of this nonsense and retaliated against their label by withdrawing in protest. With no concrete answers set forth by any of the band members or anyone else involved, we can only speculate the possibilities. Who knows? It could just have been an unforeseen mishap by the record label and the actual "dance singles" are probably hidden away in an old abandoned warehouse or someone's muddled closet waiting to be rediscovered.
Now that I'm exhausted from my spouting, here's the release. Remember, be sure to not pay any attention to the appended titles and just enjoy the music!

Details:

Eyes Of God - The Dance Singles - Single (1985), U.S.A.

This Side:
1. East Of Eden (Extended)

Over:
2. Garden Of Sin (Seductive Mix)
3. Sin Twist (Dub Mix)

Review

More Information:
Discography

Eyes Of God - Eyes Of God - EP (1984), U.S.A.

I'm happy to see spring is finally here, although the gloomy winter weather hasn't quite dispersed completely, I thought this was a good occasion for me to exhibit this particular band. Eyes Of God, from San Francisco, California, released only a scant few recordings during the mid 80's on the now non-existant Conceptual Communications / Conceptual Records label.
Eyes Of God were not only notable for their dark, wicked and seductive sound, but also how they intentionally (or unintentionally) try to appear enigmatic. They've done a good job thus far, since there's no information in the internet regarding what roles each member played, except what I could find on the back cover sleeve. The members were: Jennifer Hall (who obviously did vocals), Lew Karchin, Lawrence Doyle and John Scampoli. An extra individual, Roberto Oliveira did additional percussion work for the band, but who was the main percussionist?
One of the peculiar aspects of this band I have a penchant for were Jennifer Hall's sultry Siouxsie Sioux-like vocals, shallow bass lines and sinister saxophone sounds.
This self-titled album you'll be listening to shortly, is the second (or first?) release from Eyes Of God and was readily available back in 1984. There is another 12 inch release, which can be found on Goutroy's exceptional blog, A Viable Commercial. One more release exists out there and I'm excited to say that I have it and will be posting it shortly. Stay tuned!

Details:

Eyes Of God - Eyes Of God - EP (1984), U.S.A.

This Side:
1. Love Letters
2. Secret Life

Over:
3. Sin Twist
4. Cruel Party

Review

More Information:
Discography