Needle Time

  Modern English - Mesh & Lace [CAD 105 UK 1981 24-Bit FLAC] I reached for this record shortly after last week's Stop Start post, purely because I wanted to remember how raw and unpolished the young Modern English really were. Mesh & Lace was their debut long player, released over forty years ago in 1981 on a fledgling 4AD label.  This the raw post-punk sound of Essex, experimental in places, gloomy in others - you can hear bits of The Sound, New Order, Joy Division and even Bauhaus in early Modern English. It was their follow-up After The Snow which grabbed most attention, I would suggest then that it is about time we reappraised  Mesh & Lace once more in a choice of fuller resolutions. Enjoy! A1 16 Days A2 Just A Thought A3 Move In Light A4 Grief B1 The Token Man B2 A Viable Commercial B3 Black Houses B4 Dance Of Devotion (A Love Song)

  Modern English - Stop Start [925 343-1 UK 1986 24-Bit FLAC] After yesterday's ACR post, here is another band who made the leap from indie fandom to seek out pop stardom with a major label. I love nearly all of Modern English's 4AD repertoire, but could never really get into Stop Start , perhaps now would be a good time to reassess.... The only connection to 4AD Records is the 23 Envelope sleeve, as this is very much a pop-rock album, polished and glossy bright but not quite as refreshing as what went before. It is clear the major deal was based on a new found enthusiasm for their work in the USA after a certain song featured on a certain film, and perhaps Stop Start did a lot better across the pond as a consequence than it did in the band's domestic market with its original fan base. The record is sprinkled with enjoyable moments, Robbie Grey's voice is as recognisable as ever, there are plenty of uplifting choruses and rousing riffs, but this is a record of its tim...

Modern English - Ricochet Days [CAD 402 UK 1984 24-Bit FLAC] We lost Vaughan Oliver last week and as a small tribute to the most creative sleeve designer of our generation, here is a new rip from the album contained within what I think is his greatest work. Modern English were rubbish when they left 4AD in search of riches across the Atlantic. Ricochet Days was a glimpse of their new gleaming commercial sound, thankfully reigned in by Hugh Jones' tight production and wrapped in one of the best album sleeves ever. I could go on forever about the superb 23 Envelope cover - which can only really be appreciated on the vinyl album itself. I mislaid my own set of 23 Envelope postcards years ago. Focusing on the music, this is really a very good pop rock album which was largely panned by critics back in 1984 and suffered as a result in the credibility stakes. Chapter 12 was not a great choice of single in the UK, though Hands Across The Sea did better on the Continent a...

Various - Natures Mortes : Still Lives [P-1149 JPN 1982 24-Bit FLAC] I posted my 1997 compact disc reissue of Natures Mortes : Still Lives back on the old blog a few years ago prior to a huge run of 4AD posts. The original album is quite hard to come by as it was a Japanese market release by WEA. I picked up this copy at a recent record fair from a collector who was selling his collection, so it is with great pleasure that I can offer you my rip in 24-bits of high resolution flac. Enjoy! A1  The Birthday Party - Mr. Clarinet A2  Psychotik Tanks - Let's Have A Party A3  Rema-Rema - Feedback Song A4  In Camera - Die Laughing A5  Bauhaus - Rosegarden Funeral Of Sores A6  Mass - You And I B1  Cupol - Like This For Ages B2  Modern English - Gathering Dust B3  Sort Sol - Marble Station B4  The The - Controversial Subject B5  The Past Seven Days - Raindance B6  Dif Juz - Re