Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions: Completely never heard of these guys. Not even in name, although I’m going to assume it’s not party-time music…So far, name is apt: they play lo-fi, almost amateurish, early New Romantic keyboard heavy sad music. The mood is Dire. “Ghost Rider” sounds like if a depressed Elvis got ahold of some synths. You can definitely hear a wire-frame for new wave or goth type bands like The Cure, Joy Division, and tons of electronic acts. Songs like “Cheree” and “Johnny” are practically skeletal but have a hint of ’50s early rock and roll and even a little camp flair at times. Most tracks are just a primitive drum machine, organ and some breathy singing with a production style that makes everything sound like it was recorded from the afterlife. Sometimes gets a little monotonous, but still mostly compelling in kind of primitive-Velvet-Underground-with-synths sort-of-way. Yowsers, “Frankie Teardrop” could be one of bleakest songs ever recorded. Ten minutes. No guitars or choruses for any relief. I was truly startled when he started shouting. Interesting. “Keep Your Dreams” is probably my favorite song, even though I’m not sure this style is quite my bag. Sometimes hard to tell if this record is “minimal” and “revolutionary” or just “underbaked” and a “sham,” but it’s got an odd pull to it.

Starred Songs: “Ghost Rider,”
Sneaky Tracks: “Frankie Teardrop,” “Keep Your Dreams”
Should this album be on the list? Probably but I could see replacing it.

Will you listen to this again? Maybe a song here or there.

Verdict: Influental, primoridial depressing gothy minimal electronic music that somehow got under my skin.
Rating: ★★★1/2