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

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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

Cetu Javu - Southern Lands - CD (1990), Germany

Listening and grooving to a flood of synthetic-driven beats lately, I stumbled upon a group from Germany who made a brief tenure creating Depeche Mode-inspired electronic music from the mid 80's until the early 90's. Cetu Javu, united in 1984 with Javier Revilla-Diez (vocals), Torsten Engelke (keyboards), Stefan Engelke (bass) and Christian Demere (synths and guitars). Todde Krass would later join to fill in for the departure of Stefan Engelke in 1988. As previously stated, Cetu Javu produced synthetic pop music which was obviously mimicking the sound of Depeche Mode, only the difference was that some of their songs were sung in Spanish and it's no wonder, since the vocalist is from Spain! I found it very surprising, considering there were a majority of German bands who preferred to sing in English.
Spinning furiously and with vigor like a hurricane, Cetu Javu were very productive in their output and released a vast of exceedingly catchy singles such as Help Me Now!, Situations and So Strange. But alas, like a hurricane, Cetu Javu didn't last long. In 1994, all members of the group adjourned on a high note from the music scene to focus on raising their offspring and continue on other endeavors.
Before signing off, here's their full-length debut album, Southern Lands, released in 1990 by ZYX Records, with two additional tracks (Fight Without A Reason and Adonde). It's a brilliant album, with notable highlights such as Words Without Thoughts, Get It and Have In Mind. I couldn't find a single stinker on this album and listeners who are in the habit of toe tapping and waving unusual hand gestures in the air will be pleased!

Details:

Cetu Javu - Southern Lands - CD (1990), Germany

1. Southern Lands
2. Love Me
3. Oye
4. Words Without Thoughts
5. So Strange
6. Get It
7. Situations
8. Bad Dreams
9. Have In Mind
10. Quien Lo Sabia?
11. Fight Without A Reason
12. Adonde

Review

More Information:
Unoffical Myspace
Discography

Breeding Ground - Revisited - CD (1994), Canada

Here is Breeding Ground's "best of" compilation album Revisited, released in 1994 by Fringe Product. This album is a compendium of the band's best songs from their modest discography, except for their self-titled EP, also known as Wintergarden (1982). To explain the absence of any selections from their first EP, front man John Shirreff brazenly stated in the liner notes, "It seems we've lost the master tape, a tragic loss or a blessing in disguise, it's hard to tell". Fortunately, Wintergarden can be found over at CAPA NOSTRA SYNDICATE's blog.
To fill in for the lack of songs, the two remaining tracks, Nocturne and Babel were included. Nocturne was a song taken from Shirreff's solo album In The Garden (1993) and Babel was a song impulsively recorded while the compilation was in between the selection and remastering process. My musings about the band, were previously written not too long ago and the post can be found over here.

Details:

Breeding Ground - Revisited - CD (1994), Canada

1. Tales Of Adventure
2. Reunion
3. This Time Tomorrow
4. Happy Now I Know
5. Epic
6. Love Rectangle
7. Slaughter
8. Business
9. Turn To Dust
10. Ceremony Of Love
11. Nocturne
12. Babel

Review

More Information:
Unofficial Myspace
Discography

Caifanes - Caifanes (Edición Especial) - CD (1993), Mexico

Hopping around to the next country to launch the first month of the new year, here's a group who are credited for being one of the most critical in helping make the Rock en Español (Spanish Rock) movement to go mainstream in Latin America during the late 80's and early 90's. Caifanes, formed in Mexico City, Mexico in 1987, included Saúl Hernández (vocals/guitar), Sabo Romo (bass guitar), Alfonso André (drums) and Diego Herrera (keyboards and saxophone).
Their self-titled debut album, also known as Mátenme Porque Me Muero (Kill Me, Because I'm Dying), which I'll be presenting, was originally released in 1988 on vinyl record and then re-released in 1993 on CD as a "Special Edition" package with two extra tracks. These two tracks are actually the singles La Negra Tomasa (The Black Girl Tomasa) and Perdí Mi Ojo de Venado (I've Lost My Deer Eye) released in 1989.
Truthfully, I think the addition of these songs ruin the overall atmosphere of the album, especially La Negra Tomasa, which is actually a cover of a fiercely popular cumbia song (I shamefully admit dancing to when I was young). Trying to mix a tropical dance song into a post-punk/new wave album is not something anyone should EVER attempt. My guess as to why they included it was so the label could capitalize on the major success the band was having at the time and including that particular song into the mix would generate more sales to a wider audience on an otherwise "dark" album.
Fans of The Cure, The Essence and the like, will love this album, despite the band's strong insistence in claiming they were more influenced by prog-rockers, King Crimson. Nevertheless, The Cure reference is very hard to ignore.

Details:

Caifanes - Caifanes (Edición Especial) - CD (1993), Mexico

1. Mátenme Porque Me Muero
2. Te Estoy Mirando
3. La Negra Tomasa
4. Cuéntame Tu Vida
5. ¿Será Por Eso?
6. Viento
7. Nunca Me Voy a Transformar en Ti
8. Perdí Mi Ojo de Venado
9. Amanece
10. La Bestia Humana
11. Nada

Review

More Information:
Official Myspace
Biography
Discography

Electronic - Electronic - CD (1991), U.K.

Happy Holidays! It's just hours before the end of the year and what better way to celebrate the end by listening to some twitch inducing music? Electronic, formed in 1988, was a joint effort between ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr and singer/guitarist Bernard "Barney" Sumner from New Order. Guest musicians were also involved such as Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe from The Pet Shop Boys and Karl Bartos from German synth pioneers Kraftwerk. Electronic existed after the demise of The Smiths (Marr) and in between and during an extended absence from New Order (Sumner).
During that time, they released 13 singles, 3 full-length albums, and a compilation "best of" album (released in 2006). Electronic's sound represents only a fraction of the vast and creative nature of the Madchester scene going on in the U.K. at the time. Using a mix of analogue synths and guitars, they set out to make an impact with some successful singles such as Getting Away With It, Get The Message, and Second Nature.
For today's post, I'm introducing their self-titled debut album released by Factory Records. It's very obvious Electronic sounds very much like how New Order would sound if Peter Hook took a break from playing bass, but with Johnny Marr on guitar and helping out with writing some of the songs, the similarities become less obvious. Some notable tracks in this album include Tighten Up, Gangster, and Try All You Want. With the exception of Tighten Up, I was surprised that Gangster and Try All You Want weren't released as singles! I wasn't very fond of Getting Away With It, although it has a catchy chorus, it's a very cheesy song with somewhat awkward and simplistic lyrics. Well now, it looks like I've ran out of words,  excuse me while I'm off celebrating and anticipating the beginning of the new year!

Details:

Electronic - Electronic - CD (1991), U.K.

1. Idiot Country
2. Reality
3. Tighten Up
4. The Patience Of A Saint
5. Getting Away With It
6. Gangster
7. Soviet
8. Get The Message
9. Try All You Want
10. Some Distant Memory
11. Feel Every Beat

Review

More Information:
Biography
Discography
Fan Site