D.M.O.

Do we look like Depeche Mode in this?

Well, possibly that's because one of us is Martin L. Gore's nephew! (not sure which!) and his name is Dean M. Oldfield (not M. as in Mike, we hope!). 

• DMO's new EP came out last October on Mute. Listen to their older stuff here.

• Depeche Mode's new single "Where's the Revolution" is out on Friday 3.02.17

• Mike Oldfield's new album Return to Ommadawn is out now.

Spotted on Spotify: The Man Who Fell To Earth Soundtrack

Exactly the kind of thing Spotify is good for, and worth paying a monthly subscription for! ie. something you're interested in hearing but don't really want to shell out the cash for .. and it's Bowie related.. It's the soundtrack to The Man Who Fell To Earth, 1976 film starring Bowie although the music is not by him at all. It's by - quote: "John Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas fame (who composed specifically for the film), and Stomu Yamash’ta" unquote.


Not sure if it's any good, and to be honest I've always struggled a bit with the film itself, so let's see if the music stands up by itself. You can buy the 2xCD now andin November there will be a deluxe 2CD/2LP  but in the meantime, listen here!

Spotted on Spotify: It’s Immaterial - 'Life’s Hard and Then You Die' #newmusicfriday

Not really new music as this album originally dates back to 1986, but it's one I've been pretty attached to over the years even though it never really seems to figure in my true favourites of the eighties and otherwise. Some may remember the truly original single 'Driving Away From Home', which made It's Immaterial into a kind of one hit wonder, even though I am still baffled as to why the truly brilliant Ed's Funky Diner wasn't a hit too - that is one of my most favourite (eighties) 12" records ever.

Anyway their cheerfully titled album Life’s Hard and Then You Die has now undergone a long overdue makeover and has been fleshed out with all manner of goodies to form a deluxe edition. This definitely needs investigating as a timeless work of pop by the Liverpool duo which never really adhered to any particular genre so remains undated and may even sound like it has just been recorded. For the uninitiated think China Crisis with a bit more edge.

The new Deluxe is available from usual outlets and also thankfully on Spotify, which is how we are enjoying it for now, even though sadly the John Peel Session versions are not available in said streamage. We'll just have to wait for the real thing to plonk on our desks. Life's hard....

Spotted on Spotify: #newmusicfriday : ABC, John Foxx, Belbury Circle

New releases: April 2016

01.04 Pet Shop Boys - Super
- new album out lready and certainly their best for a long time. Now on heavy rotation at LiM - plenty of electro-dance stuff with a few slower numbers chucked in. Fave tracks atm: Groovy, The Pop Kids, The Dictator Decides







08.04 All Saints - Red Flag
Bit of a throwback to the nineties rather than the usual eighties, although these lovely ladies have always produced quality pop music so their new comeback album has been worth a listen.  Fave tracks atm: One Strike, Red Flag.

08.04 The Very Best of Associates
- while waiting for re-issued remasters of their first three albums (including Sulk on vinyl) here's something to tide you over. 2 CD collection including a lot of previously unreleased material.

 
15.04 Phil Collins - No Jacket Required
Phil Collins continues his re-mastered deluxe re-issue schedule (inclusing updated cover artwork) with his  third album origianlly released in 1984. Includes hits such as Sussudio and One More Night, with the by now customary live performances and demos on the extra disc.


15.04.2014 Duran Duran - Girls On Film 1979 demo

Out in both CD or clear 7" vinyl format, this is the official release of tracks which have going round on bootleg for some time now. The recordings pre-date Simon Le Bon as vocalist and, obviously, their first hit singles and album in 1981, so definitely for curiosity's sake only.

West End Girl

I've been keeping my eye on British actress Jane Horrocks ever since she did a cover version of JD's Isolation a while back .. 

Now she's gone for the full blown West End show featuring music by some of my fave artists: Joy Divison, The Human League (Mk. 1), Soft CEll, New Order.....oh and the Smiths.

The show, called If You Kiss Me, Kiss Me will be at the Young Vic from tonight until 16 April. A soundtrack album has also been promised.

source and pics: BBC News 

Jean-Michel Jarre: Electronica 2 announcement

release date: 06 May 2016