Poppy Factory - Fabulous Beast EP

This band sounds very early ninety-ish. The EP was released during the Madchester heyday and you could easily tell by their music. They remind me so much of Beloved during its Conscience days. Anyways if you're in a mood for gentle grooves with Madchester twists these are the songs to download.

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Revolver EPs

Since band like this were unique in their own way the closest I could describe them would be the distorted rhythm of JAMC and the cool breeze melody of Ride rolled into one. Matt Flint's charismatic vocals have pushed the band's career to the extent of three years but not long enough to be remembered. Here are the songs taken from their first 3 EPs to cherish, the long lost forgotten Revolver won't be completely forgotten any longer.

On pictures:

1. Venice EP
2. Heaven Sent An Angel EP
3. Crimson EP

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

U-Bahn X - Young Hearts Of Europe 12"

Great songs from this obscure band U-Bahn X. I assume they are Germans because of the name but I could be wrong. These synth-driven songs got the unique arrangements guaranteed to please you ears. Their music is somewhat similar to Clan Of Xymox and early Ministry. Another hidden minimal band revealed!

Tracks:

1. Young Hearts Of Europe (Essential Mega Mix)
2. Young Hearts Of Europe (Valkyrie Mega Mix)
3. Kiss Of Death (Punishment Mix)

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Spitfire EPs

Again, not much info about the band, where they from and how they started. But lets skip to that not so interesting stuff and talk about their music instead. I discovered their music from this phenomenal compilation Indie Top 20 (a must have compilation for all indie aficionados) which contains bands such as Midway Still, Telescopes, The Stone Roses, Revolver and etc. I would describe their sound as pure energy solid rock n' roll! Their songs contained all the right doses I need to keep me high while listening, classic wah-wah guitars, high-octane drums and vocals with the right attitude! What more could you ask for?

On pictures:

1. Wild Sunshine EP
2. Superbaby EP

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

The Wendys - Pulling My Fingers Off EP

I just can't figure out why some of these early 90s indie bands had this weird fascination for girl names, The Jennifers (pre-Supergrass), The Rosemarys and of course The Wendys. The Wendys, one of the unsung heroes of Factory Records, can be easily identified as Scotchs with hearts of true Mancunians just by listening to their songs. Certainly Tony Wilson got this extraordinary ears for promising talents. Relive the Factory days, the club Hacienda, the Madchester scene, The Wendys!

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Three O'Clock - Love Explosion (Eruptus Mix) 12"

These mods from Silverlake surely knew how to make good pop music. Another addition to Ian Broudie's countless projects from the eighties, he had done it again for the nth time! On Paper was the song that got a lot of airplays back in the day but I'd rather let you hear their upbeat tune Love Explosion. Very catchy, not to the point of sounding too mainstream, but for sure to make you dance round the clock!

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Go-Betweens - Right Here EP

Although Streets Of Your Town is everybody's favorite, I feel this single is the one that needs to be heard. Such a beautiful song. If you're cruising in your BMW or maybe sailing in your yellow submarine this is the music you may want to hear. Awesome melody backed with popish rhythmic guitar, this is guaranteed to relax your mind and soul.

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Blur 12"s

Four lads from London decided to jump into the Madchester bandwagon and formed the one of the most influencial band of the nineties, Blur! The Neo-Psychedelic album Leisure can be grouped along with other late eighties/early nineties baggy rave meisters Happy Mondays and Inspiral Carpets. As they progressed, so was their music. It didn't take long before they shifted gear to a more Beatlesque sound and that reflected on their second album Modern Life Is Rubbish. While they enjoyed their all-time peak in the mid-nineties, they were rivaled by the critics to their equally successful arch-nemesis, Oasis.

These four singles (and probably their first four) are the reason why I'm such a big fan of the band. These were released by indie label Food during the Shoegaze/Madchester years, roughly from 1991 to 1993. Here are the extended and remix versions of the four songs not found on any albums. Enjoy!

Tracks:

1. There's No Other Way (The Blur Remix) 12"
2. She's So High (Definitive) 12"
3. Bang (Extended Version) 12"
4. Girls And Boys (PSB 12" Mix) 12"

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Troy Tate - Love Is (Dance Mix) 12"

Known as the producer who got fired by The Smiths, Troy Tate has this infamous reputation to many who hardly know him. Morrissey and the gang may had this eclectic perception on how they should sound but if you try to listen to Troy's unreleased works with The Smiths you would realize how brilliant he was as a producer (I found this really informative website of Troy Tate's session with The Smiths mp3s at http://captainsdead.com/the-smiths-troy-tate-sessions.html). This 12" single contains the immortal Love Is (Dance Mix) that confirms how talented Troy Tate is as song writer and musician.

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Under Two Flags - Masks (Extended) 12"

A very obscure band from the eighties, too obscure you can't even find any decent info about the band in the internet. Well I don't really care too much about their history as much as I care about their craft. Not to be missed title track plus the extended version makes you want to beg for more! That's what I love about the eighties 12", they make extended versions and still able to preserve the essence of the songs. This 12" by the way is released in 1984 by Situation Two, a Beggar Banquet's sublabel.

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Drop - Mirrored EP

Such a pity shoegaze music lasted for only half a decade. So many promising shoegaze bands, so little time. Great acts such as Drop would have been recognized if only the scene lasted a little longer. Hear it for the first time and you would think its Mark Gardener singing backed by Andy Bell, in short you would think its Ride! Perfect use of delay pedals along with pitch benders and distortions, you don't need to be in acid to appreciate this kind of music!

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Howard Devoto - Rainy Season 12"

The genius behind the early Buzzcocks and Magazine, Howard Devoto went solo flight in mid-eighties to create the undeniably one of the most brilliant album in post-punk era, The Jerky Version Of The Dream. The track Rainy Season is definitely his legacy, the song that will stand the test of time. For those of you who have little or no idea of who Howard Devoto is, you guys might want to check out the 24 Hour Party People movie where he made a cameo role as the janitor, such a great movie!

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Luxuria 12"s

Formed by ex-Buzzcock/ex-Magazine frontman Howard Devoto along with Noko, Luxuria continued what Howard Devoto have left of as a solo artist. Two exceptional tracks for you to savor, Redneck, a personal favorite from their Unanswerable Lust album and Luxuria, the B-side of Public Highway 12".

On pictures:

1. Redneck 12"
2. Public Highway 12"

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Xymox AKA Clan Of Xymox - A Day 12"

Xymox or Clan Of Xymox, whichever you prefer, have really used their arpeggiator to their advantage to produce fantastic danceable tracks. They have mastered the art of synthesizer music without sounding too sell-out. As a matter of fact they have kept their reputation of being dark and sub-cultured from the time they started to the present. What do you expect, they belong to this elite group of 4AD artists, Cocteau Twins, Bauhaus, Frazier Chorus, Xmal Deutschland, Pixies, Pale Saints, Lush, Modern English and the list goes on. For me, this 12" is an A side on both sides because both songs, A Day and Stranger, are equally phenomenal. One thing I also admire about this single is its unique sleeve artwork created by 23 Envelope, a 4AD resident.

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Colenso Parade - Hallelujah Chorus EP

Fire Records, home of legendary outfits such as Close Lobsters, 1000 Mexicans and of course Colenso Parade. Although Fontana Eyes was their widely acclaimed single, I discovered their wits on this song Hallelujah Chorus. A unique blend of guitar and synthesizer plus a macabre pounding of drums, this song has the energy of a true post-punk!

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Hey Paulette - I Really Do Love Penelope EP

This is one of the very rare jangle pop EP that came out in the C86 era. It contains 4 tracks and each of them is simply a masterpiece of its own. The EP is released under Mickey Rourke's Fridge. Very jangly pop songs from start to finish, I consider Hey Paulette as one of the most brilliant neo-acoustic bands of their era. The title track was part of the Firestation Tower compilation The Sound Of Leamington Spa but that is just quarter of fun. I strongly insist you download all four songs and let me know what you think!

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Friendly Fires - Arkansas 7"

I've been dying to post this the moment I won this record on eBay. But I have to resist myself and would only post item that I do have in my hands. So I've waited for days until I finally got it and can't wait to share it! Just to give you heads up of what their music is like, their name would kind of sum up how they sound, very ear-friendly and that's just for starter. This single was launched in 1986 and if only was released years later Sarah Records would have signed them. Not that I have anything against their label, Deadbug Records is a pretty decent label. They just sounded like top Sarah artists such as Field Mice and Blueboy. The guitar rhythm is like early New Order. In other words, its quality indiepop. Highly prescribed by indie doctors worldwide!

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

The Lucy Show 12"s

Very odd name from an odd band, The Lucy Show might have gotten their name from the famous US TV sitcom in the 60s. Although their name sounds comedic, their music is no laughing matter. Its actually the complete opposite, dark and serious, the very tradition of a typical post-punk. If The Sound, Comsat Angel and early The Cure is in your iPod's regular rotation, this music is for you!

On pictures:

1. Extended Play 12"
2. Leonardo Da Vinci 12"

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Celebrate The Nun - Will You Be There 12"

Now I'm feeling synthpop. I may not be purist unlike many of us but I do have pure passion for good music. Killer track from the not so much celebrated band of the late eighties, Celebrate The Nun. Call them synthpopers, minimalist, technopopers, call them whatever you want but these guys make music that make sense! CTN's tunes can be compared to Enigma Records or Jon St. James produced artists, Anything Box, Red Flag and SSQ. They sounded very much like Depeche Mode too, which is no surprise considering DM as one of the blueprints of modern electronic melody makers (Cetu Javu, Secession, Camouflage and the likes).

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Chapterhouse 12"s

If I were to describe the genre Shoegaze in one word it would be..."Chapterhouse". Although shoegaze bands have been around since the mid-eighties (JAMC, MBV, Spacemen 3, Sonic Boom and Spectrum to name a few) they never gained public acceptance not until the early nineties when the "used to be cool" radio station KROQ started playing the eponymies of shoegaze movement - Ride, Chapterhouse and Catherine Wheel. The music of Chapterhouse is too slow for Ride and too fast for Slowdive, which is just about right...just like my coffee, not too bland nor too sweet.

Feast your eyes on the Chapterhouse 12"s. The Pearl single has been signed by the entire band and my favorite Chapterhouse song too! Listening to this single is like daydreaming while floating through the atmosphere. That goes with Mesmerise as well. The song Falling Down on the Freefall EP is kind of edgy, its wah wah factor is so ecstatic, its psychedelic!

On pictures:

1. Pearl 12"
2. Mesmerise 12"
3. Freefall EP

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Popguns - Someone You Love EP

The title track Someone You Love has this distinctive madchester-funky-beat-trademark to it. Cino and other fans of this genre would know what I'm talking about right? The closest resemblance I could think of for that particular song would be Crystal Clear by The Darling Buds. Also, the bass line solo towards the end of the song reminds me so much of Manny's famous bass intermission in The Stone Roses' immortal song I Am The Resurrection!

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

Hurrah! - Gloria EP

I find it really hard to believe music gem like this has been ignored and forgotten. The EP's title track Gloria is an absolute harmony made in heaven! Perfect combination of guitar and bass riffs with cherry on top vocals, this guitar pop song is just pure beauty on all counts!

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]

The Wild Flowers - Melt Like Ice 7"

Beautiful guitar pop from this post-punk group The Wild Flowers. If you love blissfully, melodic tunes you definitely need to hear this. Thanks to my Roman friend Lauro, rest assure this record will be in good hands.

[GET SAMPLE AUDIO HERE]