PARANOID PARADISE – The Call Of The Grail LP (1987)

We end this Memorial Day weekend and the month of May with a big unveiling - here we have the insanely rare album from Paranoid Paradise, an electronic darkwave band from Belgium. The album was released in 1987, but you would never know it, as it sounds much more like an early 80’s output...

Let’s dive into it - This stunning album starts with the ominous and gloomy electro infused march of “The Call Of The Grail I”…Then it moves into one of the best songs on the album, the post punk minimal synth monster “Primitive Discipline”…The next song “Trance In Isfahan” has more solid post punk characteristics with its piercing guitars and a doom riddled intense vocal treatment…We end side I with “Storm”, a mid-tempo instrumental with interweaving voice placements…

The second side starts with version II of “The Call Of The Grail”…This version is even better with more synth infused post punk sounds and generous helpings of the angular guitar sounds…Next up is “Nobody’s Dream”, which is a fast paced electro guitar pearl with a cool ass female voice placement near the ending…Then we get into the intense instrumental start of “Noah, The Captain”, which has sparse vocal treatments as it builds and builds ….finally we end things up with yet another stellar version of the title song, version III…a radical departure from the other two versions with experimental soundscapes coupled with an industrial edge.

There are rumors that state the pressing quantity at a paltry 50 for this LP. Suffice it to say, it’s rare as hens teeth…The Call Of The Grail covers a lot of ground in terms of styles – a post punk backbone, ample minimal synth lines, bits and pieces of industrial noise, doses of gothic overtones, darkwave elements and experimental twists for good measure….If you see this beast, buy it on site, you won’t be disappointed…that’s of course you’re a vinyl junkie like me…Out of print private pressing via Mahomet’s Holy War…

SIDE I
the call of the grail I
primitive discipline
trance in Isfahan
storm

SIDE II
the call of the grail II
nobody’s dream
noah, the captain
the call of the grail III

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RIDDLE ME THIS – One Thing In Mind EP (1986)

Riddle Me This was an obscure indie alternative trio hailing out of the Boston, MA area. Crunchy guitars and power pop garage influences play a major part in their four song set. Their music has enough melody and on par song writing to give them direction and save them from pointless in your face thrashing. A scarce piece of wax to track down these days. Out of print private pressing via Rexco Records.

Also, some good synth rarities are on the horizon for upcoming posts…so stay tuned…

SIDE 1
suzanne
only girl

SIDE 2
it isn’t there anymore
meat market

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THE FAN CLUB – 15:20 EP (1982)

This is the rare extended player by American power pop rockers – the Fan Club. I believe this was their only musical output…This band’s sound is influenced by a late 70’s/early 80’s punk aesthetic, but I would say their sound delivery is more power pop focused with a punk outer coating at times. Punchy and catchy songs are cranked out with zeal and it’s over before you know it….The set ends with the brash Ramones inspired “I Won’t Take It”….Out of print private pressing via Rude Records…

SIDE ONE
going mental
heartache
just another kiss

SIDE TWO
my baby loves it
future problems
i won’t take it

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RED – In Motion LP (1983)

Here’s a full length album by RED, a sextet who were based out of the United Kingdom. I’m assuming the name came from the lead singer, as his last name was Red. With their nifty and very 80’s looking album sleeve design, The Red were able to gain some limited UK radio play exposure and ended up producicng this sole album. In Motion spawned the singles “Let Her Go” and “Naomi”…. The album is full of polished electronic synth pop numbers that are easy on the ears and have a melancholic way about them…This vinyl should be easily attained with some brief hunting around the web-o-sphere marketplace…Out of print pressing…

SIDE A
Let her go
Uniform man
Never releasing
Naomi
Portrait

SIDE B
Ants
Get the motion
Taking pictures
Conscious mind

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THE BELL JAR – Beginnings Of Ends EP (1986)

The Bell Jar was an alternative indie rock band from Midway City, California. They consisted of four members. The stand out tracks are “Where To From Here”, which has a catchy echoing synth refrain during the chorus and “Walking Through The Fire” with its dominating guitar licks and melancholic lyrics. Both songs speed along at a good clip. I’ve been unable to find an ounce of information about this band. This is a real obscurity that seems to be quite unknown. I highly recommend this for the indie rock vinyl collectors that are seeking the next unknown nugget to complement their collection. Out of print private pressing via Out There Records.

SIDE A
walking through the fire
kid talk
where to from here

SIDE B
jimmy’s cold december
water

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BREAKFAST – F.M. Eyes 12” (1986)

Obscure American new wave group of five out of Illinois. The title song is the clear standout here with its synth backwashes and very catchy choruses. I could have seen this song benefiting from some MTV/VH1 video exposure in its day, as its tailor made for that venue… Side B’s “work & sweat” is subpar, but I guess that’s why it was relegated to B side status….Out of print private pressing via Lost Lunch Records…

SIDE A
f.m. eyes

SIDE B
work & sweat

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E SPACE MEN – Autistic Dance…Music EP (1982)

Here’s the very scarce extended player by electro outfit E Space Men, who were based in Chicago, IL back in the early 80’s… Side A’s featured track “Who’s Who In The Universe” is a funky old school trip down memory lane that is well executed against a dance inspired electronic background…Side B takes a more intense electronic approach with limited lyrical treatment and a cool electro robotic vox at the helm…I believe this was their only musical output...Out of print private pressing via Autistic Records.

SIDE A
who’s who in the universe
dr. who?

SIDE B
deadly romance
bitches dance

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NEW JOHNNY 5 – Uneasy World EP (1984)

Here’s the rare “Uneasy World” release by New Johnny 5, who were an American indie synth wave band from the Connecticut area. The band consisted of six members and was led by Ken Atkins…This extended player is top drawer mood driven new wave electronica…Their discography also includes a cassette, a couple of singles, and a full length album called “Alternative Tactics”, which is easier to find and is highly recommended if you dig the tunes on this one…. “Uneasy World” is very scarce and comes with a record jacket that has been painted and silk-screened by the band. Out of print private pressing via Artsapassion Records

SIDE A
A1 Don't Wanna Get Caught
A2 It's Not The Money

SIDE B
B1 Fire Under Me
B2 Uneasy World

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