by Screen 13 » Mon Feb 13, 2012 10:45 am
Of course, the more experimental sounds of Cabaret Voltaire and TG are really essential to this topic, as well as Bowie's Berlin Trilogy.
For those into the more experimental and minimalist, try New York's legends Suicide, who's first two albums are very recommended, especially the first for it's head turning ability back in the day. If you have not heard them, songs like "Ghost Rider" and "Frankie Teardrop" are choice picks. The second album's picks are equal to that of groove grinder's.
Japan's Gentlemen Take Polaroids and Tin Drum are seriously essential to this when it comes to a more stylistic Dark Synth music and Gary Numan's Dance and Telekon are my picks, although the 79-82 albums (Yes, including I, Assassin) remain in my opinion all great as well as his return to form in the Late 90's and beyond. DM 82-93 is a great era as well.
Dali's Car, the project by Peter Murphy and Mick Karn, the later one of the most underrated Bass players ever, had a classic in "The Judgement is the Mirror."
Although Teardrop Explodes were Guitar-driven, "The Great Dominions" from Wilder can fit this topic perfectly.
Ministry's Twelve Inch Singles comp. and Twitch albums are great. Not as Pop as With Sympathy and not on overkill as most of the rest of their work, but just right to my ears.
The Human League's first two albums are also recommended, but "Seconds" is seriously a gem in this style. Actually, those who are into the "New Wave Abba" feel of Dare might like Abba's "The Visitors" from the 1981 album as well for being both very uncharacteristic and something that was a guilty pleasure to those who knew. It maybe a bit odd mentioning the Pop legends here, but at least their final album (and "The Day Before You Came" covered by many including Blancmange) grabbed the ears of some Synth minded people of the time.
SPK should be mentioned. "Metal Dance" is possibly the best known, but along with TG and CV, they are among the legends when it came to their more abrasive early work.
Visage's "The Damned Don't Cry" has been mentioned, and it's their crowning achievement. "The Anvil" is also another favorite.
Fad Gadget is seriously underrated. "Back to Nature," "For Whom the Bell Tolls," and "Collapsing New People" are favorites.
Soft Cell's The Art of Falling Apart and This Last Night in Sodom are great.