image note       view larger image

Strange Passion – Explorations Of Irish Post-Punk, DIY, & Electronic Music 1980 to 1983

$22.99 ... LP (€17.66 || £15.00 || ¥2329) (approx.)

An overdue look at the Irish contributions to the post-punk years – music that's often overlooked in comparison with sounds from London – and Northern scenes like Manchester or Sheffield – but which, arguably, has even more power in the end! The music here really holds onto the best initial burst of energy from the Brit Isles underground – the kinds of sounds that you'd be likely to hear on Rough Trade or Factory a few years before – but which, by the time of this set, were quickly fading in favor of more polished crossover material. Leave it to the Irish to keep things going – and serve up some brilliant home-grown sounds filled with skittish guitars, rough electronics, urgent vocalizations, and sharp stark rhythms – mostly issued on small label vinyl and tape releases at the time. The package really opens up these overlooked years – with great cuts that include "Avenue B" by Major Thinkers, "Accentuate" by SM Corporation, "Play Safe" by Chant Chant Chant, "Just Friends" by Dogmatic Element, "High Cost Of Living" by The Threat, "Last Days" by PH, "Eighties Rampwalk" by Operating Theatre, and "Twenty Tens" by Virgin Prunes.  © 1996-2013, Dusty Groove, Inc.