Legendary noise terrorist Suicide consist of Alan Vega (Alan Bermowitz) on vocals and Martin Rev (Martin Reverby) on synthesizers and drum machines. Originated from the burgeoning mid 70s CBGB NY punk scene, these duo created their debut album in 1977 that become the landmark for electronic-based, sonic-experimental music that is much characterized the likes of Throbbing Gristle, Soft Cell, Einsturzende Neubauten, Skinny Puppy, The Gories, Primal Scream, Nine Inch Nails, etc. Call it electroclash, industrial, synth-pop, dark disco, whatever….without Suicide (with Kraftwerk as other influential core), these terms would meant fuck-all, had Vega and Rev didn’t laid the blue print for what would become the bastard child of rock n roll and electronic music.

Rev minimalist, repetitive and hypnotic keyboard riff provided a haunted and hollow landscape for Vega distorted, jittery and threatening vocal (owed much to 50s rockabilly singer). Once you hear their sonic terror soundscape, you’ll be either hooked for life or immediately vomit. Their live performances were confrontational, often ended with Vega involved in a brawl with audience member after much provocation, verbal insult and physical assault initiated by the singer.

Such extreme elements made Suicde one of the most under-rated and obscure names in rock n roll history. Yet their impacts are endless to those whom favor a new and adventurous experience in music.

This is what we’ve been listening to for the last few months and we love this album to death. Ladies and gentleman, The Brandals present Suicide!

With a name that means "new wave" in English and "bossa nova" in Portuguese, Nouvelle Vague's moniker neatly sums up the group's concept: remaking classic new wave singles with a Brazilian pop twist. Nouvelle Vague is the brainchild of French producers Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux. Prior to this collaboration, Collin played with the trip-hop outfit Ollano; composed film soundtracks such as The Kidnapper's Theme; and released electronic music ranging from club-oriented material for Paper Recordings to more eclectic fare for Fcom and Output Records (under the aliases Avril and Volga Select, respectively). Libaux played with various French pop bands during the '90s and began working with Collin in 1998. For Nouvelle Vague, Collin and Libaux recruited half a dozen French and Brazilian vocalists who were unfamiliar with the original versions of songs like Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart" and XTC's "Making Plans for Nigel" to ensure that their renditions had their own identity.

Now return with their 2nd installment, consisting of 'new' old materials. True to their 80s post punk/new wave/goth interpretation concept, Bande a Part boasting obscure tracks from the likes of The Wake (of Factory Record legacy) with its serenading melody 'O Pamela' (the best track on the album!), Lord Of The New Church's Dance With Me, and Bauhaus' macabre anthem 'Bela Lugosi's Dead'.

Renditions of other well known post-punk glory hits are evident here. A Samba killer of Buzzcocks' Ever Falling In Love. Blondie's Heart Of Glass got an irresistable treatment. Also The Cramps' Human Fly completely got dressed-up elleganty, you wouldn't recognize it from the orignal tunes.

In all, here's another smooth, sassy and suave collection of tunes that'll chilled and mellowed those sunday morning coming down session. Enjoy!

You might've recognize her cold yet passionate voice from the Mazzy Star days. This is from her brilliant first solo effort, titled Bavarian Fruit Bread. Released on Rough Trade record, Oct 2001.
Go on, listen and weep...for these are songs of regrets, loss and despair

The Brandals' 3 sampler track from Audio Imperialist LP