Seems there are so many buried treasures of Synth Wave to be unearthed and propped up here on the Hearse. This time we examine the work of the Dutch Ensemble Pittoresque, mainly their 1983 debut For This Is Past. Much like all these great bands, Ensemble Pittoresque play robotic dance music, however the addition of guitars makes this a bit more "conventional." The vocals and lyrics make this like a Synth Wave band you'd see in an '80s movie, the sort wearing vinyl and wrap around shades, but there is a calm, subdued quality to the songs. It's not as cold as some of the French bands, but often twice as cool, if that makes sense. Enjoy.
Oh man, oh buddy. I'm jamming out to this REAL hard right now. Thanks Aesop
ReplyDeleteOh, hell yes, I have been waiting for more of this stuff ever since you posted that BIPPP comp. (Which I've since bought.)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, if you haven't checked it out already, there's also some good stuff on a compilation called Cold Waves + Minimal Electronics: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6WSZOFKO.
A very similar album, but highly influenced by black metal; graveyard synths: http://www.mediafire.com/?zfco2uc8jw8i27d
ReplyDeleteIve never heard this before and within the genre its utterly brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAnd given its date 1983 I would say very influential on others of the time
Track 4 'better life's' pre dates the massive hit 'West End Girls' by the pet shop boys by a year and the vocal style is almost the same in phrasing and tone
Youve got to wonder if they ripped it off and this band generally
Love the vocals. Was listening to Varg's casio and then put this one. 1983 was cool everyone had Micheal Jackson parachute pants outfits.
ReplyDeleteThe "riff" on "The Art of Being" is great. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteanyone know of a instrumental record by the Human League?
ReplyDeletethis makes me feel tarded.
ReplyDelete