During the the 80's, many Torontonians (and others in the surrounding areas) were graced with a superb music scene. A lot of great bands came from this era, and grew a cultish stigma that follows them today. A few of these bands, The Spoons, Chalk Circle, are among the bigger names in this group. There was also an underlying group of amazing bands that perhaps failed to achieve greatness, but did manage to notch their mark into the musical history in the area. Vital Sines was one of these bands, and thanks to a Toronto radio station CFNY (Spirit Of Radio) 102.1, managed to gain some status and following. Really only known for their one single that managed to get airplay on the Toronto station, "Collage" grew to be an indie hit, and had regular airplay and clubplay. This EP finds it's sound in the likes of early Killing Joke, though they do have a bit rougher sound. The title track "Collage" is a great tune, and always finds it's way onto my table. "Hype" could easily have been a Killing Joke b-side, and is a decent track. The rest of the tunes are 'ok', but worth a listen. These guys faded pretty fast, and members split and formed other factions in Canadian musical history. The drummer, Glen Milchem had success with Andrew Cash, Big Sugar, and later Blue Rodeo. He is now recording as The Swallows, and you can find that in any store or Blue Rodeo show. Kudos to these guys for adding to the Toronto Indie scene in the 80's, that time was a brilliant era in Canadian music. Track 1, CollageTrack 2, HypeTrack 3, Ice StaueTrack 4, Rhythm Of DarkGet the tracks here! password-pwemb.blogspot.com
Canadian Fringe Records 1984 FPE3045
Personal rating 3.5/5
An excellent 12" from a period of decline for Siouxsie & The Banshees. The remixed version of 'Song From The Edge Of The World' is truly fabulous! I love the way they've mixed the percussion in this song, driving beats with some bongos in there! The flip sides I cannot stand, which is the case for most Siouxsie eps. There are bands who make excellent flips songs, and there are not, and well you'll see for yourself won't you? It's one I don't see around often, I think I've seen maybe 4 copies since I've been collecting vinyl. I've never bothered to pick it up as I really disliked most of the releases from this era, and love their earlier releases. I guess you never know what's lurking in a stagnant stage in one's career! Track 1, Song From The Edge Of The World (Columbus Mix)Track 2, The Whole Price Of BloodTrack 3, Mechanical EyesGrab the tracks here, password-pwemb.blogspot.com
Canadian Polydor Records 1987, POLSX 124
Personal rating 3/5
I'm not sure why I didn't put OMD in my favorites list, in retrospect they are one of my favorite bands in that era. In hopes to make up for my omission, here is some. A great song from what was a great album 'Pacific Age'. Though a lot of people noted this as being the death of OMD, I feel the material was some of their strongest to date, and more appealing to the masses. The extended mix is excellent, as are many of OMD's mixes. Here you'll have three variations, including a dub version. I'm sure to have more OMD in the future, as I think I own most of the 12" releases they put out. So, if you want something here, drop me a line!Track 1, We Love You (Extended)Track 2, We Love You (7" Mix)Track 3, We Love You (Dub Version)Grab the tracks here, password-pwemb.blogspot.com
UK Virgin Records 1986, VS911-12
Personal rating 4/5
One of my favorite House/Trance/Progressive tracks period. Had a piss of a time finding this, guessing not many dj's wanted to part with their copy. Three variations, the McBuffallo Mix being the best in my opinion. Simply a must have track if you like to club it!Track 1, Down The River (McBuffallo Mix)Track 2, Down The River (DJ GoGo Mix)Track 3, Down The River (Three Drives On A Vinyl Mix)
Grab The Tracks Here, password-pwemb.blogspot.com
Dutch Cyber Records 2004, CR 026
Personal rating 4/5
Being a huge Suede fan, I generally try to get what I can of theirs on vinyl (and in Canada that is a hard task!). Without really looking, I picked up this 12", took it home and flipped in on the table... and went "What the &$#@!?". Little did I know, this was a remix 12", and had Trance remixes of the song 'Everything Will Flow'. I put it on my shelf and didn't touch it for ages, as the first half minute or so seemed like an endless dribbling beat (yuck). I must now confess I do like trance, and have many a compilation with the same songs remixed and reshuffled into a cd. So now I found myself actually pulling this 12" back out and giving it a second chance at life (other than getting 10 cents on the dollar for a trade in). I must say I really dig this song, it's quite catchy! I'm playing it and find my fiance shuffling her butt through the room while cleaning, see she likes it too. Then she asks, "Who is that?", and I say Suede, and she says "Huh?". You get the idea :) Give this track a listen, on one of those off chanced you like to move your hiney in a club, this might actually get you going, or at least get you 'significant other' cleaning the apartment!Track 1, Everything Will Flow (Rollo's Vocal Mix)Grab the track here, password-pwemb.blogspot.com
US Columbia Records 1999, 44-79310
Personal rating 3.5/5
This could have been anywhere on my list, and it gave me hell to figure out where all these tracks went in order. I probably could rewrite this list in a few weeks and some of these songs won't even be there, or some in a higher order! It doesn't really matter, these are just the songs I wanted to share with you at the time, and this one SHOULD have been a lot earlier in the list in retrospect!!! (oops) What a monstrous classic this is, and if you know jack squat about the 80's, then you MUST have heard this song, or know the influence Joy Divison and New Order had on music. This song alone is an anthem to the 80's, and should be played daily in homage. All the "what could have been's", and "what if's" with the death of Ian Curtis, forever etching his name in musical history and thrusting New Order into stardom. Would Joy Division ever aspire to New Order's greatness? You tell me, despite them being one of my favorite artists (period), I'm not sure Ian would have sent the band to the spires in which New Order soars. This 12" is one you should own, and it should be tenderly played every few weeks to pay homage to Ian Curtis! Beautiful song, beautiful artwork, legendary.Track 1, Love Will Tear Us ApartTrack 2, These TimesTrack 3, Love Will Tear Us Apart (Original)Grab the tracks here, password-pwemb.blogspot.com
Canadian Factory Records 1980, FACX II-XII
Personal rating 12/5
This was just newly acquired today from a local record show, and even though I had another Chameleons record to go on my top 10 list, I decided to put this in it's place. Such an amazing song, and one that I shamefully forget about when I think of this band. This 12" features 2 brilliant songs from their debut LP Script Of The Bridge, and a song that seems to be on several of my 12" releases in 'Prisoners Of The Sun'. Fairly hard one to get, and you won't see it often! My advice is to grab it when you do, as it's a gem to have in your collection for sure. The one comes in at number 9 on my top 10 songs of the 80's list.
Track 1, Up The Down Escalator
Track 2, Monkey land
Track 3, Prisoners Of The Sun
Grab the tracks here, password-pwemb.blogspot.com
German Statik Records 1983, TAK 11/12Personal rating 4.5/5
