#onmystereo

Down From the Shelf #28

Blue Orchids- The Greatest Hit (Money Mountain) [Rough Trade 1982]

After the Witch Trials, Fall refugees Bramah, Baines and Goldstraw form band, attract Peel attention, support Nico on tour and in 1982 release this post punk touchstone. Blue Orchids (so christened by John Cooper Clarke) made a grating guitar, whirling Farfisa sound, shot with an ironic twist. Part garage, part surf, part rampant jangle and woozy melody they were a one off...a rare specimen that deserves preservation. 

Down From The HATFM Shelves #29

Wire- A Bell Is A Cup...Until It’s Struck (Mute Records 1988)

Wire’s fifth after their early 80′s hiatus building on (or dumbing down) from The Ideal Copy.

Some say it’s a descent into slight electro dance pop with the rough edges smoothed over but the abrasion still lurks beneath the surface. Tunes to sway to for sure but reach deeper and Wire’s tension still takes a tight grip.

Swinging between revisioned song driven shoe gaze and pulsing riffs (electronic and otherwise) it is a record that revels in deceit.

Kidney bingos organ fun indeed!