Electro-pop
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Music
Forum Name: New wave and post punk
Forum Description: Dedicated to Year zero/Rip it up and start again
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2555
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 12:15am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Electro-pop
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Subject: Electro-pop
Date Posted: 15 May 2015 at 9:13pm
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Unfortunately, or not if you prefer, the 1980's saw an explosion of synthesised pop. Some was good but I like to remember what came just before, you can call it Synth Britannia if you wish... ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Replies:
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 16 May 2015 at 7:47pm
I'm a great Ultravox fan. Was spinning "Vienna" only yesterday . .  ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 17 May 2015 at 11:10am
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Tangerine Dream Logos (live at the Dominion) - more electro-rock than pop. Pet Shop Boys "Actually" - their best in my opinion. Features Dusty Springfield on "What Have I done To Deserve This" ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: LOINER
Date Posted: 17 May 2015 at 10:01pm
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In my record collection I have a Dusty Springfield album called Scandal and when I bought it and took it home I realised that side two had been produced by the Pet Shop Boys and my heart sank, blandness built in, but surprisingly it wasn't the case and it is quite a pleasant album to listen to.I wonder if the above mentioned track came from the same sessions? ------------- STUART SOLO ULTRA LINEAR DIAMOND EDITION LAUTUS DUAL MONO 1.5M INTERCONNECTS GRAM AMP 2SE |
Posted By: LOINER
Date Posted: 19 May 2015 at 7:32pm
I was going to start this post with"do Ultravox come into this thread" and then I saw Bobs post which rather answered the question.Whilst I can not claim to be the biggest fan of the group I find a lot of their music a little bit on the bland side ,and I seem to recall reading somewhere that a lot of that is down to Midge Ure wanting things to be so perfect that he "perfected" all the life and vitality out of the music.Having said all that I do like quite a few of their tracks, Vienna,Dancing with Tears in my Eyes etc and I also like their version of the old Walker brothers track No Regrets ,but I don't think they would make into a "Desert Island Disc" top twenty ------------- STUART SOLO ULTRA LINEAR DIAMOND EDITION LAUTUS DUAL MONO 1.5M INTERCONNECTS GRAM AMP 2SE |
morris_minor wrote:Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 20 May 2015 at 4:49pm
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Ultravox's songs can get a bit pretentious IMO - their recent album 'Brilliant' is almost a self-parody in this respect, but I do like their sound. I've just got 'Quartet' on trendy white vinyl and never heard it sound so good - some of those synth textures being dug out of the vinyl by my Zyx/Reflex/EXP combo are to die for . . ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: Lucabeer
Date Posted: 22 May 2015 at 3:36pm
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Pet Shop Boys are a great band. Sure, they haven't tinkered very much with their sound in their career, but their recent album "Electric" sure is heavy, pounding and dancey. A surprisingly energetic record for two guys of a respectable age, and coming after the good but very mellow "Elysium". Anyway, I have all of their albums and I like them a lot (just be sure to get the vinyl versions of the ones from the last 10-15 years, they sound much better than the CD versions). Another British synth band that I love is Depeche Mode, probably my favourite band of all times (I have all the albums on CD/SACD, most on vinyl too, all the singles in various editions on CD and many on vinyl too: my DM collection is of approximately 120 CD/SACDs, 50 vinyl records, and 8 DVDs). Differently from PSB, they have changed A LOT in their career... while at the same time staying true to their identity. I personally think that Martin Gore is a genius musician and lyricist, and they have always managed to sound timeless and not necessarily "an '80s band with '80s sound". Dave Gahan is probably the best voice synth pop has ever had: the guy is soulful! I have seen them live four times (Manchester, Milan, Torino), and each time it's been a roaringly good show. Synth/electro pop, yes, but it rocks too. |
Posted By: discrete badger
Date Posted: 23 May 2015 at 11:26pm
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I also have the full PSB catalogue. They're quintessential electro-pop. Intelligent lyrics, musically interesting, inventive arrangements, and a very distinctive vocalist. Whilst the way they use layered synths/samplers and drum machines is indeed very consistent throughout their career, their records also take on the sound of the day and the producer. As an example, "Being Boring", one of their best creations, on "Behaviour" has a wonderfully halcyonic and reminiscent sound which entirely suits the lyrics and mood of the song and is very much a product of the analogue synths of Harold Faltermeyer (think of the "Axel F" theme from Beverley Hills cop). So their output dates but also is strong enough to hold up well over time. Not a bad trick to pull off.
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Posted By: Stewboss
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 12:44pm
Just discovered this gem. Fans of Kraftwerk will love it. ------------- Equipment choices: Playstation 3 SACD, Bitzie DAC, Meridian Explorer DAC, Lautus USB cable, HD250-II, HD650 |
Posted By: DaveG
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 3:53pm
Nice find. I've never heard of them but I found a few things on youtube. Might hunt down a copy of this ------------- Dave Michell Gorbe + HR PSU -> Cadenza Bronze -> SME V -> Elevator -> Accession -> Proprius -> B&W CM6 s2 | Cusat 50 & Spatia cables -> 
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