Best of 80s synth pop

Body Boy · 01-28-2013, 09:50 PM

Hey everybody. Just joined the forum because I found this thread through google. Haha.

Interesting opinions and output all around.
On Spandau Ballet, I must admit that I couldn't get into the "True" album. But I love their debut, especially the track 'The Freeze'.

Oh, I didn't even know there was a video to go with it.

Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys are of course the mainstream amazements of the genre. Personally, I don't think anything after Violator matches the wonderful first seven albums. Broken Frame is criminally underrated, and I consider S&S, GR, BC and V to be their best work.

For some relatively lesser known bands, one of my faves HAS to be Pseudo Echo from Australia. I found them through Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning (1985) when their song 'His Eyes' was playing during the death scene punk character Violet. It's excellent. Turns out, their 1984 and 1985 albums are both to die for. Here are two from their debut, Autumnal Park:

Pseudo Echo - His Eyes

Pseudo Echo - Walk Away

Surprised that nobody has mentioned The Twins from Germany. Their first four albums (1981-1985) were cheesy but strong.

The Twins - X-Ray Eyes

The Twins - Love System

The Twins - Love in the Dark

There were many to choose from... did not even realize that I chose two 'love' titled songs. Heh.

I'll return later with more, but I'll end with a Slovenian band. Slovene language goes very well with this type of music. And Videosex does proves this:

Videosex - Detektivska Prica

Their first two albums are good, specifically their first. One day I'll try out their third.

William_the_Bloody · 01-28-2013, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Body Boy

Hey everybody. Just joined the forum because I found this thread through google. Haha.

Interesting opinions and output all around.
On Spandau Ballet, I must admit that I couldn't get into the "True" album. But I love their debut, especially the track 'The Freeze'.

Early Spandau Ballet was awesome as was early Berlin, reminicent of Blondie.

I'm suprised no one has thrown up Bronski Beat or Real Life yet, so...

Smalltown Boy

Send me an angel

Body Boy · 01-29-2013, 01:56 PM

I believe Bronski Beat was mentioned briefly. Smalltown Boy is great but I need to give "Age of Consent" another go. In my iTunes, but doesn't get much surface when compared to other superior s-pop albums.

Cube is a band with one album I believe, but it's awesome! The only track that sorta bugs me is the title one, #3. Can Can in the Garden is like... no.

Cube - Two Heads Are Better Than One

Cube - Prince of the Moment

From Montreal though, we had the wonderful Rational Youth. Cold War Night Life from 1982 is a great album, and the follow-up was decent too.

Rational Youth - Saturdays in Silesia

Rational Youth - Dancing on the Berlin Wall

01-28-2013, 09:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Body Boy Groupie Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 3	Hey everybody. Just joined the forum because I found this thread through google. Haha. Interesting opinions and output all around. On Spandau Ballet, I must admit that I couldn't get into the "True" album. But I love their debut, especially the track 'The Freeze'. Oh, I didn't even know there was a video to go with it. Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys are of course the mainstream amazements of the genre. Personally, I don't think anything after Violator matches the wonderful first seven albums. Broken Frame is criminally underrated, and I consider S&S, GR, BC and V to be their best work. For some relatively lesser known bands, one of my faves HAS to be Pseudo Echo from Australia. I found them through Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning (1985) when their song 'His Eyes' was playing during the death scene punk character Violet. It's excellent. Turns out, their 1984 and 1985 albums are both to die for. Here are two from their debut, Autumnal Park: Pseudo Echo - His Eyes Pseudo Echo - Walk Away Surprised that nobody has mentioned The Twins from Germany. Their first four albums (1981-1985) were cheesy but strong. The Twins - X-Ray Eyes The Twins - Love System The Twins - Love in the Dark There were many to choose from... did not even realize that I chose two 'love' titled songs. Heh. I'll return later with more, but I'll end with a Slovenian band. Slovene language goes very well with this type of music. And Videosex does proves this: Videosex - Detektivska Prica Their first two albums are good, specifically their first. One day I'll try out their third.

01-29-2013, 01:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Body Boy Groupie Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 3	I believe Bronski Beat was mentioned briefly. Smalltown Boy is great but I need to give "Age of Consent" another go. In my iTunes, but doesn't get much surface when compared to other superior s-pop albums. Cube is a band with one album I believe, but it's awesome! The only track that sorta bugs me is the title one, #3. Can Can in the Garden is like... no. Cube - Two Heads Are Better Than One Cube - Prince of the Moment From Montreal though, we had the wonderful Rational Youth. Cold War Night Life from 1982 is a great album, and the follow-up was decent too. Rational Youth - Saturdays in Silesia Rational Youth - Dancing on the Berlin Wall