The Thompson Twins' debut album did little to anticipate what was to come for the new wave pop band. This record is more experimental and more guitar based than the keyboard dominated hits of Into the Gap and Here's to Future Days. A Product Of… also lacks the irresistible pop hooks of later Thompson Twins efforts, tending to remain submerged in murky tuneless noodling. There isn't an easily identifiable single on the record, let alone anything as marketable as a "Hold Me Now" or "Lay Your Hands on Me." The album has a vague sort of international theme, as demonstrated in the cover art, which features several simple outlines of human bodies adorned in a variety of different colors and outfits, seemingly hinting at the diversity of humankind. There is a hefty chunk of African influence, especially on "Slave Trade" and "Oumma Aularesso (Animal Laugh)," which is a Tom Bailey arrangement of a traditional song from Sierra Leone.

Three CD set. Following 2021's Musik Music Musique 2. 0 set, the third volume in the series looks at the electronic pop scene as it came to dominate the airwaves. A period which saw the 1980's credible musical landscape evolve from gritty post-punk to shamelessly aspirational polished pop. Featuring countless artists who would become household names (many of which remain active today) alongside lesser-known scene mainstays, independent innovators and novelty opportunists, Musik Music Musique 3. 0 explores the evolution of synth pop from anything resembling a 'scene' into the standard musical form of the day, soon to be embraced by everybody from power balladeers to quasi-rock stadium acts. From chart staples and nightclub anthems to rarities, curios and collectables, this set gives equal airtime to all, basking in the breadth of ideas and innovation being explored as the musical world moved towards the mid-80s.

Musician, writer and Renaissance man Baxter Dury returns with a brand new album, 'I Thought I Was Better Than You,' his seventh studio album. The album is produced by Paul White, celebrated for his work in Golden Rules and with the likes of Charlie XCX and Danny Brown. Hotly-tipped new singer-songwriters Eska and JGrrey feature in addition to Baxter’s regular vocalist Madeline Hart.

Rising from the ashes of the legendary British post-punk unit Joy Division, New Order triumphed over tragedy to emerge as one of the most acclaimed bands of the 1980s; embracing the electronic textures and disco rhythms of the underground club culture many years in advance of its contemporaries, the group's pioneering fusion of new wave aesthetics and dance music successfully bridged the gap between the two worlds, creating a distinctively thoughtful and oblique brand of synth pop appealing equally to the mind, body, and soul.

Australian new wave rockers known best for their '80s hits "Crazy" and "Electric Blue." Collection includes: Flowers (1980); Primitive Man (1982); Sidewalk (1984); Measure For Measure (1986); Man Of Colours (1987); Code Blue (1990); Big Wheel (1993).

Unfortunately, Sparks never enjoyed more than a small, though devoted, cult following. But it certainly wasn't for a lack of effective hooks and clever, insanely funny lyrics. While a few of the L.A. pop/rockers' albums were disappointing, many others were exceptional. For those seeking an introductory overview of Sparks' legacy, this two-CD set is highly recommended. From "Achoo" to "Tips for Teens" to "This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us," Profile makes it clear just how delightfully goofy Sparks could be.

The Best of Culture Club is a greatest hits album of British new wave group Culture Club, released by Virgin Records in 1989. The album was Culture Club's second greatest hits compilation. It originally included 16 tracks: 13 singles, 2 songs previously not available on any Culture Club album, and a non-single track. In 1999 and 2004, Virgin and EMI Gold, respectively, released the album with different artworks, retaining the original track listing. The compilation reached number 4 in French Compilations Chart in 1992. In 2005, the compilation was certified Silver in the UK.

For the first time in nearly half a decade, Numan, to a large if not total extent, recaptured the sense of compelling darkness at the heart of his music on Strange Charm. Though Numan himself had a difficult time with the recording of the album, speaking in later years about his struggles with then-new technology and how best to make it work for his music, the end results often justify the expense of effort. For the first time in a long while, Numan actively uses silence and less-crowded arrangements to create a more dramatic impact - it lets the songs breathe a bit more, while further foregrounding his vocals. Flat-out successes such as "The Sleeproom," with its haunting, quite beautiful chorus, and the concluding ballad "This Is Love," with heavily echoed piano and singing leading the way, show how his decision worked wonders…

ROCKPALAST is a legendary ‘live’ music TV show hosted in Germany by the WDR channel. It first broadcast in 1974 and has become a pan-European television institution. It has its own fan club and online forum, and in almost four decades, it has become a trademark of quality viewing and listening. PERFORMANCE DATE: Markthalle Hamburg, 22 February 1985 The Fixx was something of an anomaly on the British music scene as the 1970s gave way to the 1980s – as they were a ‘New Wave’ quintet that enjoyed far more success in the USA and continental Europe than they did back home in the UK. The Fixx wrote and recorded melodic, concise New Wave Rock, led by the powerful and emotive vocals of Cy Curnin, with the strong guitar work of Jamie West-Oram and keyboards of Rupert Greenall offering contrasting musical depth and texture.

Sparks new album, 'The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte', is a modern masterpiece. For the uninitiated, Sparks are an art pop duo comprised of brothers Ron and Russell Mael. Their influence on pop music cannot be overstated, having inspired everyone from Queen to Bjork. In Edgar Wright's Sparks documentary, super-producer Jack Antonoff states, "all pop music is re-arranged Sparks." 'The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte' marks Sparks' first release on the venerable Island Records label in close to five decades, following such classics as 1974's landmark Kimono 'My House', highlighted of course by the indelible hit single 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us'. The album includes such instantly intriguing new musical vignettes as 'Mona Lisa's Packing, Leaving Late Tonight' and 'Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is', songs which once again display Sparks' seemingly ceaseless ability to craft complete, intricately detailed stories within perfect three-and-a-half minute pop masterpieces. Both characteristically timeless and unequivocally modern, 'The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte' once again affirms that, after more than a half century making such masterpieces, Sparks remain inimitable, ingenious and, as ever, utterly one of a kind.

The long-overdue reissue of a classic album. Initially released on an independent Montreal-based label, this album has been out of print for years, although it was one of the largest-selling independent releases in Canada. From beginning to end, this album is brilliant, with wonderful songs played with emotion on synthesizers. Danceable, melodic, futuristic (for its time), and overall, a treat. "Close to Nature," "Saturdays in Silesia," and "Just a Sound In the Night," among others, are amazing songs, played expertly, and now on CD sounding as they were meant to be heard. Actually, there are no weak songs on the CD, and the whole package comes highly recommended.

Haircut 100's debut album, Pelican West is a widely uneven concoction of lite funk and jazzy new wave pop. Although the group's music was frequently so light it virtually disappeared, they did record a pair of classic new wave singles with the effervescent "Love Plus One" and "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)." Although much of the record lacks the hooks of those two tracks, there's a handful of enjoyably breezy pop songs on Pelican West, such as "Fantastic Day" and "Snow Girl," that makes it worth investigating for new wave fetishists. Still, there's no denying that Haircut 100's material was often inadequate – a situation only emphasized on the American edition of the album, which places the singles at the front – and that the record sounded like a period piece just a few years after its release. [This edition features three B-sides and two 12" mixes as bonus tracks.]

By the time Numan had founded his Numa label, his music had already taken a decidedly more corporate rock turn; in comparison to albums like Telekon, Warriors often sounded like it was out to soundtrack any number of post-apocalyptic low-budget movies from 1983. Berserker, promising title and striking new personal image (combining white skin covering and blue highlights) aside, continued this curious trend, very much a dog's breakfast of sudden, striking ability and a surprising embrace of already shopworn clichés. If there's a specific contrast to be made, it's the difference between Numan's one-of-a-kind voice - often capturing a sense of melancholic passion better than ever - and all-too-obvious arrangements from the mid-'80s…

Pere Ubu unveil their new album, 'Trouble On Big Beat Street', nearly four years after their previous record for Cherry Red, 'The Long Goodbye'. 'The Modern Dance' (1978) marked the end of Rock 'n' Roll. 'Trouble On Big Beat Street' marks the end of The Song. Pere Ubu ended with 'The Long Goodbye' (their last album, also on Cherry Red, from 2019). Pere Ubu begins again with 'Trouble On Big Beat Street'. If you missed the last 48 years then imagine a badattitude.

Originally released in 1988, more than a decade after their iconic self-titled album, 'A Way of Life' saw Alan Vega and Martin Rev once again team up with The Cars' frontman Ric Ocasek to produce 'nine creepily ingratiated industrial pop songs' (Pitchfork). This anniversary edition is available on limited edition trans blue vinyl, CD as well as digital and sees the album fully remastered by Denis Blackham (Skye Mastering). Featured on each format are bonus tracks 'Heat Beat' and a newly unearthed live cover of Bruce Springsteen's 'Born in the USA'. Three other previously unreleased recordings are featured exclusively on the CD & digital versions.