One record at a time: 154. Goldfrapp - Black Cherry

This copy of Goldfrapp's second album "Black Cherry" is pressed on purple vinyl and sounds very good indeed. When it was released in 2019 I assumed this was a limited pressing and felt lucky to own a copy. The fact that you can still buy this record today for £15 is testament to the skills of the marketing team at BMG. 

I have never felt the same compulsion to buy debut album "Felt Mountain" as it is both relatively expensive and not as suited to my taste. I find Goldfrapp very hard to pin down: they are capable of producing the most sublime and enchanting music yet are equally capable of serving up dross with lyrics like, "Titties that live on and on forever". 

For me the trouble is there's a bit too much pretentiousness going on. I went to see this band live in 2010 and as we entered the venue the doormen were shouting, "The artist has requested that nobody take pictures tonight. No pictures during the performance". 

This whiff of artistic temperament caused a ripple of discontent amongst the crowd: we had paid our money and expected a pound of flesh in return. As it turned out, most people ignored the instruction and took pictures anyway (including myself). The punishment for ignoring the artist's instruction was metered out via the PA which was turned up to 11 in an attempt to deafen us. I've been going to gigs for over 30 years but this remains the loudest I have ever heard.

Whilst some of the details of this incident might be exaggerated, the core elements reinforce the notion that Goldfrapp consider themselves as "artists" and not mere musicians. Whilst they have a tendency to take themselves too seriously and go off the rails, that isn't the case with this album.

The record opens with the excellent "Crystalline Green" which pulses with analogue synths and sweeping effects. Alison sings some perfect top lines as Will builds the backing track into a soaring colossus - this is nothing like the previous album "Felt Mountain".

"Train" is a monster of a track that left me a changed man when I heard it live at the afore mentioned concert. One day last summer my eldest daughter was complaining about the incessant sound of crickets chirping in the fields; but thanks to "Train" I don't hear much above 2,000 Hz and was immune. But make no mistake, this is a great song.

"Black Cherry" is a nice change of pace and features some great orchestration alongside the synths and downtempo beats. The driving synths are reintroduced by "Tiptoe" which bleeps along with the kind of perfection only achieved by people on top of their game. Side one finishes with "Deep Honey" which is more akin to the ambient sound of the first album and reminds me very much of Portishead (a group that band member Will has been associated with in the past).

My favourite track is "Hairy Trees" which has a great hook and an etherial quality that really appeals to me. We get some TR-909 beats alongside the squelchy synths on "Twist" but unfortunately Alison indulges in her occasional penchant for nonsensical and frankly bizarre lyrics.

I originally bought this album on CD in 2003 based upon a TV performance of the next track "Strict Machine". Whilst familiarity means this track has has lost some of its initial impact, it remains a great piece of electronic music. The last two tracks are a little disappointing but they don't detract from the majesty of what has gone before too much. 4/5

One record at a time: 153. Glass Candy - B/E/A/T/B/O/X

Sometime in 2009 I was watching "Bronson", a biographical film about British criminal Charles Bronson. In the film there was a scene that featured some great music and a quick Google search led me to the track "Digital Versicolor" by Glass Candy and its parent album "B/E/A/T/B/O/X". 

I think I must have only acquired the mp3 files of the album at the time as this clear vinyl didn't come into my collection until 2013. I bought this record in the flagship HMV store at 363 Oxford Street in London (now sadly closed). As this historic shop had recently re-opened I was keen to mark my visit with a purchase, but I was struggling to find much of interest until I stumbled across this. Discogs says this is a US import (not sure if that is correct) and was limited to 3,000 copies. 

Ultimately there is nothing else on this album that quite matches the electroclash perfection of "Digital Versicolor" but "Beatific" and "Life After Sundown" come a close second. "Candy Castle" is another dance floor friendly jaunt that proves to be very entertaining. "Etheric Device" and the instrumental "Last Nite I Met A Costume" provide some contrast to the more dance orientated material and "Rolling Down The Hills" is a commendable 70's funk pastiche. 

Only the seven minute cover version of Kraftwerk's "Computer Love" disappoints. Cover versions that tend to succeed offer a radical reinterpretation of a song or remould it in the distinct style of the artist recording it. Think of Pet Shop Boys "Always On My Mind", Michael Andrews and Gary Jules "Mad World", Soft Cell "Tainted Love" or even Johnny Cash "Hurt". Unfortunately Glass Candy's take on "Computer Love" is just a limp retelling of the same story that was perfected on the original. But if we put this weak cover to one side, this is a good album. 3/5

One record at a time: 152. Genesis - Abacab

I find looking for vinyl in charity shops a very depressing experience. Oxfam and the like seem to be dumping grounds for dead people's records and I don't like to think of my collection eventually languishing alongside endless unwanted copies of "The Sound of Bread".

Anyway, sometime this spring I found myself leafing through the usual selection of Perry Como, James last and Dean Martin records and was surprised to find this copy of "Abacab" for about £2. I'm not a massive Genesis fan but the surprise of finding something half decent led to an impulse purchase.

Another reason for buying this record was that I had just read Phil Collins's autobiography and wanted to hear a little of the music he talked about in the book. I was familiar with most of the band's later hits, but this phase where they crossed from prog rock to pop was new to me.

The title track opens with a pulsing synth bassline and is augmented by an organ and stabs from a Prophet 5. This intro suggests this isn't a conventional 'band in a room' recoding and there may actually be something of worth on here. This song is catchy in places and ticks along quite nicely. As I remember, "Abacab" is a nonsensical phrase that was an invention of the band. So essentially I've just spent seven minutes of my life listening to a song about nothing.  

One thing I've learned from listening to various podcasts and reading Phil Collins' autobiography is that he was a bit obsessed by using horn sections in the eighties. "No Reply at All" features horns, guitar and some strangely incongruous TR-808 claps. The song is OK but it seems to stutter along and doesn't ever really get going. "Me and Sarah Jane" uses the CR-78 for percussion for the first minute or so before the acoustic drums come back in. The chords on this track are initially reminiscent of The Beatles before things go off the rails in a confused ball of reggae and prog rock.

For whatever reason I hate the opening riff to "Keep It Dark". I can't put my finger on why I don't like this track but it offends my ears. "Dodo/Lurker" instantly screams 'prog rock' before it too slips into a vague reggae groove that takes too long to end. "Who Dunnit?" is an awful slice of repetitive album filler that is best left ignored. "Man on the Corner" heralds the sound of Phil Collins as a solo artist and "Like it or Not" is palatable without being good. Things close with "Another Record" which is a bit vanilla and passes by without making much impression. At least it only cost me two pounds. 1/5

One record at a time: 151. Gatto Fritto - Gatto Fritto

Sometime in 2011 I walked into a record store in Soho where the most amazing music was playing. After a few minutes perusing the racks of vinyl, I walked up to the counter and asked if I could buy a copy the record that was playing. 

At this point the guy behind the counter rolled his eyes, turned to his colleague and said with a sigh, "Can I have the Gatto Fritto out of the CD player again please?"

The guy plonked the CD on the counter and explained that this record was difficult to source and every time they acquired a copy, someone bought it. This was the first time I'd heard of a shop that was upset at having to sell records, but I have encountered this phenomenon subsiquently. If people are so upset by the idea of selling goods for a profit, I can't help wonder why they don't open museums rather than shops.

Anyway, I took my CD home and enjoyed it. In fact, I liked it so much I bought this double vinyl of the album in 2014 from a seller on Discogs. The vinyl is in near mint condition and is one of about 500 that were pressed. As far as I know, Gatto Fritto's eponymously titled debut is their only album and according to Discogs there have been no further releases attributed to them. I know almost nothing about Ben Williams the guy behind the music and, to be honest, I like it that way. I prefer that Gatto Fritto remain enigmatic and enchanting.

The first track on the album is titled "The Curse" and features an airy falsetto vocal that is accompanied by discordant guitars and superb analogue synth textures. "Hex" is a more laid back and funky affair with its disco inspired bass guitar and plodding groove. Things take a different direction with "Grinding of the Brakes" which is an instrumental that sandwiches ambient textures with Aphex Twin style loops. "Solar Flares Burn for You" moves us even deeper into ambient territory and ends up sounding a bit like Tangerine Dream. The LinnDrum returns for "Lucifer Morning Star" which has a dreamy melody and vocoder processed vocals. 

"Invisible College" is the song that I heard in that record shop in London. As the acoustic guitar riff begins you could be forgiven for thinking this was going to be a naff disco record. Yet it soon becomes clear that the guitar is a loop and as additional layers are drip fed in, the majesty of this record begins to reveal itself. This is a long track and the first breakdown doesn't arrive until we're four minutes in; but it doesn't really matter as there are so many ideas in here that it is impossible to be bored. By the time you reach the ten minute mark you realise you are listening to a completely different piece of music but have no idea how you arrived there.

"My Etheric Body" continues in the retro electro vibe whilst the final track "Beachy Head" provides an ambient ending. The music on this record is hard to describe and is best heard to be understood. I find it a little frustrating that there isn't more music by Gatto Fritto but at the same time I enjoy the fact that this album is a one off. 3.5/5

One record at a time: 150. Front 242 - Front By Front

"Front by Front" was released in 1988 and here I am playing a copy of the original European vinyl I bought from eBay about six months ago.

"Until Death (Us Do Part)" is driven by a Yamaha DX7 bassline and riffs played on the classic 12 String preset that would be used later by The KLF on "3 A.M. Eternal". The mix of samples and FM synthesis continues on the fantastic "Circling Overland" and "In Rhythmus Bleiben" which keep the bar high.

Things fall off a bit with "Felines" and its annoying reverse vocal sample, but the pure EBM of "First In/First Out" soon banishes these doldrums.

"Blend the Strengths" is an instrumental that fills time before the centre piece of the album "Headhunter" kicks in. This song has a catchy chorus and beats clearly designed for the dance floor. Whilst you could never call this a conventional pop song, it does bear some sonic resemblance to bands like Depeche Mode and even had a video directed Anton Cobijn.

"Work 01" is another instrumental augmented with samples culled from films that feels a bit like album filler. Due to its positioning on the album the next track "Terminal State" is a bit overlooked but this is a fun track with an almost funky groove and great lyrics: "We're in the doldrums!"

Things close out with the classic "Welcome to Paradise". The concept of sampling American TV evangelists was first used on "Angst" from the previous album but on this track everything gets turned up to eleven. 4/5

One record at a time: 149. Front 242 - Official Version

"Official Version" is the album in which Front 242 honed their sound and delivered a hit single in the form of "Masterhit".

Here I am playing a copy of the original UK LP which I bought from the same shop in Hull where I acquired "No Comment".

Things kick off with the epic "W.Y.H.I.W.H.G." which has always been one of my favourite 242 tracks. I love the samples on this song and everything seems to gel perfectly. "They're coming down! They're coming down! They're coming down for you!"

"Rerun Time" is another example of a track that seems to flow effortlessly and has plenty of tricks to keep the listener interested. "Television Station" completes the opening trilogy of perfect brooding EDM with its pounding rhythms and dark vocals. I've never been a big fan of "Aggresiva Due" simply because of the distorted electric guitar that features through out, but it is still very interesting. 

The single "Masterhit Parts 1 and 2" will be well known to anyone with even a passing interest in EBM or industrial music. This track is catchy and has a good melody under the burbling synths and deadpan vocals. After about five minutes the track moves into "Part 2" which is a more instrumental section that builds into a swirling cacophony before ending abruptly.

The title of the album is derived from the lyrics to "Slaughter" which features some fantastic Emulator marcato strings alongside the usual driving rhythms. My favourite track on here is "Quite Unusual" which is a new version of the track released on the "Inception" E.P. the year before. "Red Team" is a beat driven instrumental that trundles along quite nicely before the television evangelism of "Angst" sees us out. 4/5

One record at a time: 148. Front 242 - No Comment

Front 242 released their second album "No Comment" in 1984. Whilst this vinyl is a reissued version from 1989, it is still fairly difficult to come by. I bought my copy at a second hand record shop in Hull earlier this year and it is in great condition. I also need to point out that this LP has a different sleeve to the original and features a running order which is different to CD or digital version of the album.

It is worth noting immediately that this album is quite a departure from its predecessor. The analogue synths of "Geography" have been jettisoned and the sounds of a Drumulator, FM synths and a sampler dominate. There has also been a change of personnel with Dirk Bergen departing to be replaced by a second vocalist Richard 23. 

Things open with the nine and a half minute long "Commando (Mix)" which revolves around a distinctive DX7 bassline. Band member Daniel Bressanutti layers atmospheric samples on the top and tweaks the drums with some fills here and there. I've noticed this track gets a lot of love amongst Front 242 fans and some even regard it as their best. Personally I think it is OK, but definitely not their best.

Next up is "S. Fr Nomenklatura (Part I & II)" which I have never liked much as it has a really annoying sample that is repeated throughout. All of these instrumental tracks tend to wander down a bit of a musical cul-de-sac and aren't developed a great deal. The next track "Deceit" does feature some vocals from Jean-Luc and Richard 23 but they sound like overdubs thrown down to add a little texture rather than being the centrepiece.

The flip side kicks off with "Lovely Day" which offers the first flash of the sound the band would come to fine tune on later albums. The highlight of the album for me is "No Shuffle" which is a rambling ode to the North Pole with a groove ready for the right dance floor. Things finish off with "Special Forces" which samples a line from "Apocalypse Now" and turns it into a relentless slice of EMB. To me this album sounds like a band trying to master new technology: sometimes they get it right and sometimes things misfire. This album is interesting, but it only offers us a glimpse of the heights they would go on to achieve. 2.5/5