Blancmange -New Album !!!
#1
DVD Talk Legend
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Blancmange -New Album !!!
Well this completely caught me by surprise. Was on Amazon.co.uk looking at the review for the new Human League and this album showed up as a "if you like this album....." Turns out, this was released two weeks ago in the U.K. No soundbites but I'm gonna track it down on YouTube.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blanc-Burn-B...=pd_rhf_shvl_2
Edit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrdSAPzZ-Ec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMJvNIne-9I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiPkaUsrYfU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQJsRqgV_Hs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTjXfTFdWQw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcBM3g6Yo1w
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blanc-Burn-B...=pd_rhf_shvl_2
Edit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrdSAPzZ-Ec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMJvNIne-9I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiPkaUsrYfU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQJsRqgV_Hs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTjXfTFdWQw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcBM3g6Yo1w
Last edited by Daytripper; 03-16-11 at 09:20 PM.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/mar/03/blancmange-blanc-burn-review
1. "By the Bus Stop @ Woolies" 3:37
2. "Drive Me" 4:15
3. "Ultraviolent" 3:37
4. "The Western" 3:40
5. "Radio Therapy" 4:35
6. "Probably Nothing" 5:27
7. "I'm Having a Coffee" 3:54
8. "Don't Let These Days" 4:20
9. "WDYF" 4:32
10. "Don't Forget Your Teeth" 4:12
11. "Starfucker" 4:41
2. "Drive Me" 4:15
3. "Ultraviolent" 3:37
4. "The Western" 3:40
5. "Radio Therapy" 4:35
6. "Probably Nothing" 5:27
7. "I'm Having a Coffee" 3:54
8. "Don't Let These Days" 4:20
9. "WDYF" 4:32
10. "Don't Forget Your Teeth" 4:12
11. "Starfucker" 4:41
"[...] on Blanc Burn the duo themselves have left most of their 80s sound in the 80s. Though some of the old sensibility is detectable – mainly in the lyrics' gloomy worldview (epitomised by I'm Having a Coffee's Pooterish line "The fuse has bust on the plug on the telly/ There's something strange at the back of the fridge") and their penchant for Asian flavours such as sitars – you'd hardly recognise them as first-wave synth-poppers. Blanc Burn (a pun on singer Neil Arthur's home town, Blackburn, excruciatingly enough) contains almost too many styles and textures, from Hot Chippy glitchtronica to creepy spoken word, but each twist is fresh and arresting. And why not? Their 26-year break has generated new sounds and renewed enthusiasm, and there's not an ounce of fat here".
#3
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Re: Blancmange -New Album !!!
A welcome return. Really enjoyed them early 80's output.
edit... did I really write the above sentence?
edit... did I really write the above sentence?
Last edited by atlantamoi; 03-18-11 at 09:16 AM.
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http://thequietus.com/articles/05684-blancmange-interview-blanc-burn
The following interview/article may be of interest to those minded to take the thread in a positive direction...
"The cyclical nature of all things musical has birthed a genuine revival in the fortunes of synthesizer music – you know this, as it's impossible to miss. This was always on the cards after the strip mining of post punk that peaked a couple of years back and has already proved to be more satisfying than the faddish interest in 80s fashion provoked by New Rave and the silly hipster interest in MicroKorgs a while back. Over the last few years a large synth collection with a nuanced understanding of how they work, has made in demand producers of some (SMD, Benge) and further enhanced the reputations of others (James Murphy). From Cold Wave and Minimal Electronics becoming the new northern soul to industrial being reclaimed by club culture, to outliers such as Mordant Music, Lichens and Oneohtrix Point Never all the way to large corporate indie bands such as Editors and White Lies undergoing synth make overs, you can't miss the influence of Messrs Roland and Moog and friends.... after the quoted preamble, there is an extensive Q&A. (See link above).
This entire turn of events is most welcome as far as we're concerned. Seeing such diverse acts as Chris and Cosey, Gary Numan, John Foxx, Yazoo, Heaven 17, Human League, The Units, Ruth and Cabaret Voltaire etc appreciated by a young, discerning audience is heartening. Out of all the bands who have resurfaced recently however, childhood favourites Blancmange have probably caused the most unexpected delight.
In 1980 Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe formed Blancmange, which was originally a post art school project having more in common with Fad Gadget than it did with OMD. Embracing "the spirit of the times" they played early gigs with amplified washing machines and vacuum cleaners. Their first EP in 1980 Irene And Mavis (featuring the icy 'Holiday Camp') saw them branded "Maiden Aunts of techno" by supporter and Mute boss, Daniel Miller, cementing their distinctly out of step with the times aesthetic which was more provincial, surreal, wry and British than that belonging to most of their futurist contemporaries with synthesizers. After featuring on the Some Bizarre sampler (alongside The The, Depeche Mode and Soft Cell) they switched to a more pop direction and almost immediately hit it big with their third single 'Living On The Ceiling'. The song (still one of the author's favourite 45rpm 7" singles) had the disjointed and nonsensical but brilliant idea of combining a Middle Eastern refrain with European techno/synth pop and Indian percussion, and became a smash hit. The group recorded a string of excellent tracks ('Feel Me', 'Don't Tell Me', 'Blind Vision', 'Waves', 'I've Seen The World', and a cover of ABBA's 'The Day Before You Came') before breaking up in 1986.
Well, now they're back with a new album Blanc Burn which is as instantly recognisable as Blancmange from its 1950s advertising aesthetic cover art as it is from the bizarre synth pop vignettes it contains. The pair have been reunited with 'third member' Pandit Dinesh, who has a working relationship with both members that stretches over the best part of three decades. After several false starts, I caught up with Neil and Stephen last week".
#5
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: Blancmange -New Album !!!
I thought this was the title of a new !!! album.
Never heard of Blancmage, but if they are mentioned in the breath as Yaz, Cabaret Voltaire, etc... I'll have to check them out.
Never heard of Blancmage, but if they are mentioned in the breath as Yaz, Cabaret Voltaire, etc... I'll have to check them out.
#6
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Blancmange -New Album !!!
It's a good record..runs outta steam in the last half but that's my only criticism. I enjoyed it a quite a bit more than the new OMD.
#7
Senior Member
Re: Blancmange -New Album !!!
Well these songs definitely aren't the 'Blind Vision', 'Living On The Ceiling' or 'Don't Tell Me' that I'm used to or was hoping to hear. I immediately thought they are channeling a little bit of early Cabaret Voltaire or Fad Gadget with the vocals being spoken, not sung, very experimental dance floor music.
I feel the only real similarity to the old Blancmange is the cover art work for the CD, it reminds me of the 'Happy Families' album (I still have my original vinyl copy from the 80's).
Overall the songs are decent... I don't know how much re-playability they hold for me but I'll pick it up only because I have that completist OCD thing in me.
Thanks op for posting. Man I miss the 80's.
I feel the only real similarity to the old Blancmange is the cover art work for the CD, it reminds me of the 'Happy Families' album (I still have my original vinyl copy from the 80's).
Overall the songs are decent... I don't know how much re-playability they hold for me but I'll pick it up only because I have that completist OCD thing in me.
Thanks op for posting. Man I miss the 80's.
#8
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Blancmange -New Album !!!
Sweet! Love the resurgence of these early '80s minimalist electronic bands, my favorite genre. Listening now and digging it.
Too bad Frank Tovey passed away. The time seems to be ripe for a Fad Gadget tour. One "band" I'll always regret never getting to see.
Too bad Frank Tovey passed away. The time seems to be ripe for a Fad Gadget tour. One "band" I'll always regret never getting to see.
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Re: Blancmange -New Album !!!
Did you see the doc from a few years ago on Tovey/Fad Gadget? Forgot the name of it, but it was excellent. It was nice seeing attention thrown his way for a change.
#10
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Blancmange -New Album !!!
#11
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Thread Starter
Re: Blancmange -New Album !!!
Nice to see over 161 views and counting in just two days for a group that hasn't been around in over 25 years. Take THAT you know who.
Welcome back 80's. Thanks to original groups like LaRoux and the Gossip from last year, then new releases in late 2010 and early 2011 from O.M.D., Duran Duran and the Human League. Who all released banner albums. Especially Duran Duran.
Welcome back 80's. Thanks to original groups like LaRoux and the Gossip from last year, then new releases in late 2010 and early 2011 from O.M.D., Duran Duran and the Human League. Who all released banner albums. Especially Duran Duran.
#12
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Blancmange -New Album !!!
And a new Gary Numan album coming this year, as well.
Not to mention the forthcoming Ultravox album, and the John Foxx and The Maths album.
Just look at that analogue glory:
It's like 1981 all over again... and I'm loving it.
Not to mention the forthcoming Ultravox album, and the John Foxx and The Maths album.
Just look at that analogue glory:
It's like 1981 all over again... and I'm loving it.