A CERTAIN RATIO - Sextet (1982)

 

“Sextet” remains one of my absolute favorites from A Certain Ratio's discography.

Its sound and rhythms were remarkably for the time ( 1982 ) . This sound  became a sonic blueprint that would go on to become the band's unmistakable trademark for years to come.

Decades later, it's still a  pleasure to listen to.

HEAR:my rip FLAC 24_96

THE SMITHS - The Queen is Dead (1986)

 

In my spare time, I've started ripping some of my vinyl records, and I'll be sharing a few of them here on the blog.

I don't have a set schedule or order; each choice will simply be inspired by whatever I'm feeling in the moment.

Fresh off attending Morrissey's concert in July, I decided to digitize 1986's The Queen is Dead . The files are quite large because I chose to rip them in FLAC 24-bit/ 96kHz.

HEAR: my rip FLAC24_96

MORRISSEY - Live at Lake Sound Park (Cernobbio) 19_07_2026

 

I stopped following Morrissey in the late '80s, after his time with The Smiths and his debut solo album, Viva Hate in 1988.

Recently, having the opportunity to see him live not far from home, I dusted off and re-listened to my old vinyl records—The Queen Is Dead, Strangeways, Here We Come, and Viva Hate—and checked out some of his more recent work online. Fully prepared, I attended one of the two Italian events on his tour ( Cernobbio on July 19th).

I must say, it was a truly beautiful evening, made even better by the splendid setting of Villa Erba overlooking Lake Como and the perfect weather.

I had expected a nostalgic concert filled only with old Smiths songs, but that wasn’t the case. Despite his age (which shows), Morrissey’s voice remains as captivating and engaging as ever. The setlist alternated between classics from The Smiths era and tracks from his latest solo albums. His backing band was excellent, delivering a crystal-clear sound that complemented his vocals perfectly. On stage, Morrissey was affable and empathetic with the audience, which was diverse and multinational, though not particularly large.

I'm really glad I was there.

HERE: Encore of the concert

CABARET VOLTAIRE - But What Time is it Really ? (2026)

 

The biggest surprise of 2026 so far is the return of Cabaret Voltaire. With the death of Richard  Kirk I didn't think I would ever hear Cabaret Voltaire again.

I was wrong!!! The live performances of their 2025 UK tour were followed in 2026 by new releases and a new 2026 tour  (unfortunately,  Italy is not on the list).

There are LPs and CDs (with different setlists), Bandcamp digital releases and also a lot of youtube videos of the live tour performances.

For those who (like me) cannot attend a concert of this tour, here is a list of links that can be used as  an alternative.

BANDCAMP = cabaretvoltaire.bandcamp.com

YOUTUBE = Cabaret Voltaire live at Élysée Montmartre Paris 2026

YOUTUBE = Cabaret Voltaire Live at AB - Ancienne Belgique

REGRESSIVE LEFT - On the wrong side of history (2022)

 I took note of this name while listening to some Spotify playlist.

Something about their sound caught my attention; perhaps some hints of familiar music (Talking Heads, Devo etc.). But it doesn't matter, it's enough to deepen their knowledge.

This is their first EP (2022) after some single in 2020 and 2021.

ENJOY: On the wrong side of history

SHRIEKBACK - Jam Science (1984)

 

 

I bought my copy of this album a few years ago at a record fair (10€) and I have to say I always enjoy listening to it. The album is from 1984 and I define the genre as techno-funky, even though Shreikback are classified as "new wave". The band is still active and released their new album "Monument" in 2025. I have to say I prefer Shriekback from the '80s, even though their style and voice remain unmistakable. Here I'm posting a version of Jam Science, not a rip of mine but taken from the web.

HEAR:Jam Science

THE CURE - Songs from a LIve Troxy London MMXXIV

 

The Cure are back with a new album  after a lot of years "Songs from a Lost World". I have to say that I was a little bit disappointed after a first listening to the new work (probably my expectation was too high).

I have to change my thinking after listening to the live version "Songs from a Live Troxy London MMXXIV". This version I think is surely better.

I saw The Cure live several time and their performance is really something special.

You can find on Youtube  the total Troxy London Live show (3:00 Hours !!!). I think is a good New Year starting taking a look to this:

  ENJOY: Full Live Show

TUXEDOMOON - Half Mute /Scream with a view (1986)

 

Recently, at a local fier, I had a copy of Half Mute by Tuxedomoon vinyl (1980).

Tuxedomoon was one of my favourite band in the '80 and luckily I have had the opportunity to see them live a couple of time before the dead of Peter Principle  (bass guitar  pillar of the band) some years ago.

You can see on this blog  some posts related to that live concert in Italy.

Here you can hear a mp3 version of a compilation that combine the original Half Mute tracks plus Scream with a view (4 tracks).

HEAR : Half Mute - Scream with a view

THE ASSOCIATES - Mix

 

One of my favourite band of the '80. Both components Billy Mackenzie and Alan Rankine died at different times but their music lives on.

Here a collection of mp3 with main of the 12" and mix released in the years .

I collected from different blogs and converted to mp3 just for easy listening. Some of these pieces are real milestones like "white car in germany" or the cover of Blondie "Heart of Glass".

HERE: Associates mix

CURE - Wish (30th anniversary 2022)

 

Wish was released in 1992 and it is considered one of the best Cure release. I have the original double LP version (a strange format for the time). In 2022  for the 30th anniversary Robert Smith prepare a remastering of the 1992 LP. 3 CDs are part of the deluxe edition. Here I share a copy of the CD number two with several unrealeased instrumental versions that I consider the real attractivity of this new edition:

ENJOY : Wish CD 2

SINK YA TEETH - Sink Ya Teeth (2018)

In this period of forced locked down we have additional time for our music. I take the opportunity to search for something new (for me) using spotify, deezer, bancamp and suggestion coming from other blogs. This duo "Sink Ya Teeth" is one of the interesting thing I discovered. Here is the first work dated 2018 with the duo name but they just release the new one "Two". You can easily search on the streaming music tools or take a look here
https://gooodstuufff.blogspot.com/2020/04/sink-da-funk.html


SINK YA TEETH: Enjoy

JESUS AND MARY CHAIN - April 1, 2020

Normally I post few comments to the concert I attend. Unfortunately today it is not the case. Due to COVID19 all event are cancelled and we have to stay home. This ticket will remain in my collection as it is!!!
We can only imagine to be there and hope to future opportunities. In the meantime we can  listening to what we have in our music collecton (or Hard discs). Here I can forward to you something recently downloaded from other sources.
Honey's Dead was originally released in 1992 but this 2 CD version I don't know exactly when.

ENJOY :Honey's Dead

THE THE - Infected (1986)

In this period because of the COVID-19 restrictions (close at home as all italian and part of europeans are raccomented to do), I spent some time to reorganize my vinyls and CDs. I had in my hand this 1986  LP from THE THE  (Matt Johnson). I think that title and front cover decribes very well the  existing atmosphere at the moment in great part of the world.
I already posted this in 2016 but the old link is probably expired.

Waiting for a better period we can listen to some good music. 

This is not my rip but I found it

 (Someone(blog) …..Somewhere …..in a Summertime)

THE THE - infected

LES PANTIES - Cold Science (2016)

I was introduced to this band by "needletime " blogmaster's blog and I have to Thank You him for this.  After listening to the EP " here nad now " posted here: (needle time)
 I was curious to hear something more .
At the end I found  this on the web.
It is a CD compilation with all the previous released of the band.
I don't know if it a my own feeling or a new fashion but I hear to this "80 new wave" music more and more by new bands.
It could be that NEW WAVE is coming again!!!!

Good listening to this:      Cold Science

Some additional info of this  Belgian band  you can have here :  discogs

MORPHINE - Good (1992)

Summer is gone. Autumn is here with its rainy days. So is just the right atmosphere for "Morphine" music.
The Boston band of the '90 with an original instruments mix (2 cord bass, saxophone,  drums and no electrical guitars) and with a magic result.
If you like Noir-Rock-Blues (Tom waits, Doors, Nick Cave, Gun Club) this disc is for you.
The tragic end and history  of the band you can read here:

morphine biography (ondarock)


And a flac version of the disc here: Hear - good

BE FOREST - Earthbeat (2013)

Interesting Italian band coming from Pesaro. This is the second work they produced in 2013  (a new one  "Knocturne" is just released).
Return of "dark-wave" and "minimal"  rhythms and sounds are the main content of this band as other in this moment (see previous post of "Second Still"). They already provided tours outside Italy and also in US with participation to TV show.
To follow with interest.

EARTHBEAT

SECOND STILL - Second Still (2017)

Listening to this you can think to a new-wave post-punk band of the '80 with a voice that remember me Siouxie & The Banshees but this is wrong.
This LP is dated 2017 and also the 2018  Ep "Equals " is on the same line.
They comes from L.A. and they are a really good surprise.
Thanks to ESWA blog that introduce me to this band.
Here is the version I download from Youtube. attached is also a TV show always from Youtube. enjoy!!!

Here:  Second Still

BAUHAUS - Bela Session (2018) EP

Happy New Year
I want to start the new Year with a vinyl rip of "Bela Session" EP from BAUHAUS.
I just Pre-order this vinyl before the concert I saw with Peter Murphy and David J November 22nd 2018 for the Bauhaus 40th anniversary.
I receive the Vinyl Just before Christmas and I want to share with you. There is the classic version of Bela Lugosi's Dead and also some previously unreleased tracks.





A1  - Bela Lugosi's Dead
B1  - Some Faces (unreleased)
B2  - Bite me Hip (unrealeased)
B3  - Harry
B4  - Boys (original version unrealeased)

ENJOY

ASYLUM PARTY - Picture One (1988)

As follow up of previous post, here is another French group with New-Wave sound. They were active between 1985 and 1990. Few notes also on Discogs about the band.
Dark-wave sonorities in this album.

Hear : Picture One

ORCHESTRE ROUGE - Yellow Laughter (1982)

French group of the '80 part of the transalp new wave. I discover this recently and I want to share. Sound is very clear and more than one similarity with  "Cure" early works.

Hear : Yellow Laughter