Simple Minds in the 'Sister Feelings Call' phase used syths subtly to augment guitar rock and ended up sounding like something in between.
Er, I thought at that point Simple Minds were using guitar subtly to augment wad and wads of wierd synthy bits!!! In fact, there's some SM stuff from the early 80s that has hardly any guitars, (eg the title track from "Sons and Facination") and the "Reel to Reel Cacophony" and "Empires and Dance" albums seem to deliberately set about deconstructing normal rock 'n' roll standards. Mind you, 'Sister Feelings Call' (Is that Cher on the cover?!?!?) was one of their more "rock" albums from that period.
Back to the original question: anyone mentioned Carabet Voltaire yet? And do those funny "new wave" video bands like The Buggles and New Musik count?
― Old Fart!!!!, Thursday, 14 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
George is right. Magazine used synths and they were fantastic. We can say the same thing about a lot of great post punk bands. But I think they're not synth pop. When Emma posted this topic she explained what kind of music she was talking about.
(Anyway, long life to Magazine, Eno, solo Pete Shelley and "synth punks" D.A.F.)
― carlos, Thursday, 14 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Dr. C, Thursday, 14 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Sean Carruthers, Thursday, 14 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Rob M, Thursday, 14 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― hstencil, Wednesday, 5 November 2003 05:22 (twenty years ago) link
John Foxx "The Garden" is really, really great- better than Metamatic.
Alien Sex Fiend has done a few cool all-synth songs.
Camoflauge has some good stuff. Their best song I've heard, "Love is a shield", was written by Peter Godwin (ex-Metro, the obscure but supposedly amazing german glam era band that wrote Criminal life or whatever covered by Bowie on Let's Dance.) Peter Godwin has an uncommonly seen best-of comp that is really good. Look for it, it is definitely obscure and worth seeking out, since I belive he didn't make any albums, just some 12 inch EP's but it has new songs on it.
Rational Youth hasnt been mentioned. They are highly sought after and pretty obscure. I have their best album waiting at home which I got off ebay but can't get until I'm done travelling in a few months- dammit. Anyway, the band is mainly Tracy Howe, who was a founding member of the most arty-glam-version of Men Without Hats (my favorite stuff of theirs.) They are also incredible. Rythm of Youth, really classic.
Lets see what else I can remember- this is my favorite stuff!
― sucka (sucka), Wednesday, 5 November 2003 08:10 (twenty years ago) link
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PVZ2RKFKL._AA240_.jpg
^^ Bought this used yesterday, now hearing it for the first time. It's great.
― Curt1s Stephens, Wednesday, 31 October 2007 19:33 (sixteen years ago) link
Am I the only one here with an appreciation for forgotten synth duo Gee Mr Tracy? I think I have everything they put out - one album and four singles. The single collection LP is the best thing out there. Nothing on cd as far as I know. Ooh Bob Sh'Bam Lava Man
― everything, Wednesday, 31 October 2007 19:44 (sixteen years ago) link