Put The Needle On The Record - Week #93

Put The Needle On The Record Week #93 Ultravox - Lament

For this weeks feature we go back to April 1984 and the Ultravox album "Lament".

"Lament" was the 7th album released by Ultravox (the 4th with Midge Ure) and after "Vienna" is my favourite Ultravox album and it is an outstanding piece of work and was the last Ultravox album to feature original drummer Warren Cann until they reformed in later years and released the album "Brilliant".

The album was produced by the band themselves, drawing on knowledge gained with working with the likes of Conny Plank and George Martin.

The album features many highlights including, "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes", "Lament" (my favourite track on the album), "One Small Day", "White China" (how that wasn't a single I will never know) and "Man Of Two Worlds". In truth the whole album is excellent and in subsequent re-issues over the years, especially on CD, we were treated to some outstanding 12 inch mixes of some of the songs, including the 10 minute version of "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes", extended mixes of "White China", "One Small Day" and of course "Lament". I recently purchased the 5lp super deluxe edition of this album which is a superbly put together collection and is highly recommended if you can find a copy!

All the songs on the album were written by the band (Midge Ure/Chris Cross/Billy Currie/Warren Cann).

3 singles were released off the album "One Small Day" (which reached number 27 in the UK Singles chart - really surprised it wasn't a bigger hit). "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes" (which reached number 3 in the UK Singles chart and has one of the greatest promo videos produced in the 80s) and "Lament" (which reached number 22 in the UK singles chart - it certainly deserved to go much higher than that!). The track "Heart Of The Country" was also released as a single, only in Germany.

The album, reached Number 8 in the UK album chart.

Track Listing

Side A

White China
One Small Day
Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
Lament

Side B

Man Of Two Worlds
Heart Of The Country
When The Time Comes
A Friend I Call Desire

The recent 5 LP Deluxe Edition mentioned above featured the following track listing:

LP1: LAMENT: White China/One Small Day/ Dancing With Tears In My Eyes /Lament /Man of Two Worlds/Heart of The Country/When The Time Comes/A Friend I Call Desire 
 
LP2: LAMENT (Extended Album Re-Mix Part 1): White China [Extended Re-Mix]/One Small Day [Extended Re-Mix]/Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Blank & Jones so8os Reconstruction]/Lament [Moby Remix]
 
LP3 LAMENT (Extended Album Re-Mix Part 2): Man of Two Worlds [Extended Re-Mix]/ Heart of The Country [Extended Re-Mix]/When The Time Comes [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]/A Friend I Call Desire [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]
 
LP4: SET MOVEMENTS: Hammersmith 1984: Man of Two Worlds*/Passing Strangers*/We Stand Alone*/New Europeans*/I Remember (Death In The Afternoon)*/Visions In Blue*/Heart of The Country*/Western Promise*/Vienna*
 
LP5: SET MOVEMENTS: Hammersmith 1984 [Pt.II]: Reap The Wild Wind*/We Came to Dance*/White China*/One Small Day*/Hymn*/The Voice* /Lament*/Dancing With Tears In My Eyes*/ All Stood Still*
 
* Previously Unreleased

I also bought a new box set of 8CDs that includes a surround sound mix of the album and a whole host of bonus tracks and is available at a very reasonable £40, again highly recommended.

It is available on Amazon here for those that might be interested:

https://tinyurl.com/5f82s7h9

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

Rubik's 80s Mix #141 (November 1983)

White Lion Radio have released edition #141 of Rubik's 80s Mix, on this show, we feature tracks that were in the charts, in November 1983.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist For The Show:

Will Powers - Kissing With Confidence
ABC - That Was Then This Is Now
The Police - Synchronicity II
Limahl - Only For Love
Eurythmics - Right By Your Side
Marilyn - Calling Your Name
Imagination - New Dimension
The Assembly - Never Never
Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart
The Smiths - This Charming Man
ABBA - Thank You For The Music
The Style Council - A Solid Bond In Your Heart
Paul Young - Love Of The Common People
Shannon - Let The Music Play
Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - White Lines (Don't Do It)

New Kraftman Singles Compilation

Kraftman will be releasing a collection of 7 inch singles, titled "Short Circuit (The Singles)" on October 10th 2025 that will feature 17 tracks, including 4 previously unreleased singles.

The singles are taken from the albums "Electrique Fabrique", "Giro D'Italia" and "Chernobyl", 15 of which are released on CD for the very first time.

The singles released connected to the album "Giro D'Italia" have re-done recorded vocal parts to show case the songs in their best possible way.

The track listing for the CD is:

Florian
Bundesautobahn 52 (Radio Edit)*
A Face I Knew (7 Inch Version)*
Call Me Up
Waiting For The Day (12 Inch Edit)
Riding Through The Alps (Remix)*#
Giro '22 (New 2025 7 Inch Version)*
King Of The Mountains (New 2025 7 Inch Version)*
La Gazzetta Dello Sport (7 Inch Version)*
Passo Dello Stelvio (New 2025 7 Inch Version)*
La Maglia Rosa (7 Inch Version)*#
Luigi Ganna (New 2025 7 Inch Version)*#
Meltdown To The Core (7 Inch Version)*
AZ-5 (Radio Edit)*
Anatoly Dyatlov (7 Inch Version)*#
Radiation (7 Inch Version)*#
Skala System

*First time on CD
#Previously Unreleased

The album is available initially as a digital download via Bandcamp, with a small amount of the CD edition to follow on that platform too.

https://kraftman.bandcamp.com/album/short-circuit-the-singles

A promotional film has been made, showcasing the tracks and can be viewed here 

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #92

Put The Needle On The Record Week #92 Visage - The Anvil

For this weeks feature we go back to March 1982 and the Visage album "The Anvil".

"The Anvil" was the 2nd album by Visage and was recorded at Mayfair studios in London and featured the same line-up that appeared on their self titled debut album, with the exception of John McGeoch who had left the band.

Apparently the albums title is named after a famous gay club/bar in New York!

After this album was released Midge Ure left the band and from that point the band lost their way totally, especially with the next album "Beat Boy", which is a dreadful album, however, "The Anvil" is a superb album, my favourite tracks on the album are "The Damned Don't Cry", "Night Train", "The Anvil", "Look What They've Done", "Again We Love" and "Whispers".

It was well received by the music press and some very impressive sleeve designs for the records released. In addition, I should also point out that their were some fantastic 12 inch mixes of the singles that were released.

2 singles were released off the album "The Damned Don't Cry" (which reached number 11 in the UK Singles chart) and "Night Train" (which reached number 12 in the UK Singles chart). "Whispers" was also released as a single but only in Japan.

The album, reached Number 6 in the UK album chart.

Track Listing

Side A

The Damned Don't Cry
The Anvil (Night Club School)
Move Up
Night Train

Side B

The Horseman
Look What They've Done
Again We Love
Wild Life
Whispers

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #91

Put The Needle On The Record Week #91 ABC - Alphabet City

For this weeks feature we go back to October 1987 and the ABC album "Alphabet City".

"Alphabet City" was the 4th album released by ABC and it is a gem of an album, featuring some outstanding tracks, such as, "When Smokey Sings", "King Without A Crown" (my favourite track off the album), "The Night You Murdered Love", "Rage And Then Regret", "Think Again" and "Bad Blood".

The album was produced by ABC's Martin Fry and Mark White along with Bernard Edwards, who is best known for being part of the band Chic.

The album's title and titles of several of the tracks were inspired by the Alphabet City section of Manhatten in New York. The album was recorded over a 9 month period at the Marcus Recording Studios in London.

3 singles were released off the album, "When Smokey Sings" (which reached number 11 in the UK Singles chart and performed well on the Billboard Hot 100 in the states, reaching number 5), "The Night You Murdered Love", which included some superb 12 inch mixes (which reached number 31 in the UK Singles Chart) and "King Without A Crown" (which surprisingly only reached number 44 in the UK Singles Chart).

The album, reached Number 7 in the UK album chart and number 48 in the US Billboard Top 200.

Track Listing

Avenue A
When Smokey Sings
The Night You Murdered Love
Think Again
Rage And Then Regret
Ark-Angel
King Without A Crown
Bad Blood
Jealous Lover
One Day
Avenue Z

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #90

Put The Needle On The Record Week #90 David Bowie - Low

For this weeks feature we go back to January 1977 and the David Bowie album "Low".

"Low" was the 11th album released by the sadly missed David Bowie. It is part of the "Berlin trilogy" albums record in Berlin, Germany, the other 2 albums being "Heroes" and "Lodger" and is my favourite album from the three released, because of it's electronic sound. The trilogy was also produced by Tony Visconti, who worked with Bowie of many years.

Amazingly Bowie's record label, RCA, refused to release the album for 3 months as they felt it would be a commercial failure! It was an album that divided critical opinion and received very little promotion by the label and by Bowie himself......it is now regarded as a "classic" Bowie album and one of his best ever album releases.

My favourite tracks on the album are, "Sound And Vision", "Speed Of Life", "Breaking Glass", "Warszawa" (my favourite track overall), "Art Decade" and "Always Crashing In The Same Car". It really is an amazing album that was way ahead of its time.

Three singles were released off the album "Sound And Vision" (which reached number 3 in the UK Singles Chart and number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 in America), "Be My Wife"/"Speed Of Life" (which reached number 57 in the UK Singles chart) and "Breaking Glass"/"Art Decade", which was only released in Australia and New Zealand.

The album, reached Number 2 in the UK album chart and number 11 in the American Billboard chart.

Track Listing

Side 1

Speed Of Life
Breaking Glass
What In The World
Sound And Vision
Always Crashing In The Same Car
Be My Wife
A New Career In A New Town

Side 2

Warszawa
Art Decade
Weeping Wall
Subterraneans

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

i-Select #122

White Lion Radio have released edition #122 of i-Select.

This is a series of shows that focuses on Electronic/Synthpop bands from around the world, that are unsigned, signed to a small independent label or self release their material.

If you like electronic music, you will enjoy this show

You can listen to the show via Mixcloud:

https://www.mixcloud.com/whitelionradio/i-select-122/

Full Playlist

LorD And Master - Painting Over The Cracks
Positronic - In The Stars Tonight
Synth Fellow Hawk - Accelerated Glow
Damokles - Resurrection
Promenade Cinema - Under Review
Liquid Soul - Liquid 1nc
Rogue FX - We Belong
Cold Connection - Forever And A Day
Lonelyklown - Debby And The Jet Stream
Hanging Freud - A Pact Among The Living
Jeremiah Kane - Missed Call
J26 - Fallen (Loved Up Remix)
Nieder - The Flow
Cred - I Want You (Remix)
S1H2 - Melt Away
Nova Music - Catherine Wheel
Projekt Ich - An Angel On Earth
Natcho - 3 AM
Synth Fellow Hawk - Dancing In The Twilight
Azam Ali - To Pieces
Perfect Female Type - Mall Patrol
Indigo & 10eighty6 - Can’t Stop (Rogue FX Remix)
Scenius - Five-Arm Crystal
Arvid Tuba - No Questions
Von Kaiser - Take Me Home Tonight
Jessy Mach - Embers Of A Name
Damokles - Lost Civilization
Andrew Corbin - Already Here (Crom Wizard Rremix)
Arena Ft Robert Tupper - No Easy Way Out
Hanging Freud - Grooming
LorD And Master - The Light At The End Of The Tunnel (Single Mix)

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #89

Put The Needle On The Record Week #89 Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures

For this weeks feature we go back to June 1979 and the Joy Division album "Unknown Pleasures".

My fascination with Joy Division continued with this album, I went into a record shop just off Deansgate, where they let you listen to a maximum of 5 tracks off any album, which I duly did and at first I wasn't so keen on it, however, hearing more material by Joy Division on John Peels show on Radio 1 and I eventually bought it, my parents hated me playing the record because it was so dark and gloomy, but for me that is the attraction with this album, it was different, post punk and to be honest wasn't the kind of music I was listening to at the time, I loved the vocal delivery of Ian Curtis, not just on this album but also the outstanding "Closer" album, his lyrics are truly outstanding, what a sad loss to the music world when he took his own life.

The album was recorded at Strawberry Studio's in Stockport with Martin Hannett producing the record (he also produced the bands album "Closer") and of course the artwork, which is iconic, was designed by Peter Saville.

My favourite track off the album is "She's Lost Control", however, I do prefer the re-recorded version, other standout tracks are "New Dawn Fades", "I Remember Nothing", "Shadow", "Day Of The Lords" and "Candidate".

No singles were released off the album.

The album, reached Number 5 in the UK album chart.

Track Listing

Disorder
Day Of The Lords
Candidate
Insight
New Dawn Fades
She's Lost Control
Shadowplay
Wilderness
Interzone
I Remember Nothing

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

Maximum 80s #140

Welcome to edition 140 of Maximum 80s here on White Lion Radio, a show that celebrates the 1980s 12 Inch Single!

This a series of shows that features some of the finest 12 Inch Singles from the 80s all in one continuous mix.

The biggest hits in the 12 Inch format from the greatest decade in music history!

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist

Jimmy Somerville - But Not Tonight (Extended)
Viola Wills - Gonna Get Along Without You Now (12 Inch Disco Single)
Hubert Kah - So Many People (Extended Dance Mix)
One To One - There Was A Time (Remix)
Cherelle & Alexander O'Neal - Saturday Love (Extended Version)
The Human League - The Sound Of The Crowd (12 Inch Mix)
Blondie - Rapture (US Disco Mix)
Spandau Ballet - Lifeline (12 Inch Version)
Heaven 17 - Temptation (Brothers In Rhythm Remix)
ABC - Tears Are Not Enough (12 Inch Remix)
Pet Shop Boys - Heart (Disco Mix)
Imagination - In And Out Of Love (12 Inch Version)

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #88

Put The Needle On The Record Week #88 The Lightning Seeds - Cloudcuckooland

For this weeks feature we go back to January 1990 and The Lightning Seeds album "Cloudcuckooland".

"Cloudcuckooland" was the debut album by The Lightning Seeds, who are from Liverpool, and features the brilliant track "Pure", it is a fantastic album with plenty of pop nuggets, my favourite tracks are "Pure", "All I Want" (which was re-recorded for its single release), "Joy", "Bound In A Nutshell" and "Don't Let Go" ( as good as "Pure").

The album features contributions by fellow Liverpool artists, Andy McCluskey (OMD) plays keyboards, Ian McNabb (Icicle Works) provides some vocals and Henry Priestman (The Christians) who plays piano and organ.

Ian Broudie is a very talented guy and well respected and it was excellent to watch them on TV live at Glastonbury a few years back.... his son is now in the band!

Three singles were released off the album "Pure" (which reached number 16 in the UK Singles Chart), "Joy" (which failed to chart in the UK) and "All I Want (which also didn't chart in the UK singles chart), how those 2 singles failed to chart is beyond me.

The album, reached Number 50 in the UK chart album chart.

Track Listing

All I Want
Bound in a Nutshell
Pure
Sweet Dreams
The Nearly Man
Joy
Love Explosion
Don't Let Go
Control The Flame
The Price

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

Rubik's 80s Mix #140 (October 1980)

White Lion Radio have released edition #140 of Rubik's 80s Mix, on this show, we feature tracks that were in the charts, in October 1980.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist For The Show:

Kate Bush - Army Dreamers
OMD - Enola Gay
Status Quo - What You're Proposing
Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids
Ultravox - Passing Strangers
Stephanie Mills - Never Knew Love Like This Before
Dollar - Takin' A Chance On You
Diana Ross - My Old Piano
Barbara Streisand - Woman In Love
Billy Joel - It's Still Rock 'n' Roll To Me
Cliff Richard - Dreamin'
Coffee - Casanova
Adam & The Ants - Dog Eat Dog
Village People - Can't Stop The Music
Matchbox - When You Ask About Love

 

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #87

Put The Needle On The Record Week #87 The Cure - The Head On The Door

For this weeks feature we go back to August 1985 and The Cure album "Head On The Door".

I am not a Cure fan to be honest' I have liked a lot of their singles and "The Head On The Door" is the only album of theirs I actually own. The album was their 6th studio album and I actually bought the record after hearing the brilliant single "Inbetween Days", it is definitely an album that veers on pop and I think that is why I like it so much. Interestingly Robert Smith of The Cure said The Human League album "Dare" was a big inspiration on this album, and when you listen to it you can see why. I bought this album not long after I moved to a new flat and it was on my turntable on a regular basis at the time.

The album received good reviews from the music critics and became their biggest international success, doing well in many countries all over Europe and the United States.

The tracks that stand out for me are "Inbetween Days" (which has a sound not to disimilar to New Order and is my favourite track on the album and one of my Top 3 Cure songs), "Kyoto Song", "Six Different Ways", "Push", "Close To Me" and "Sinking".

2 singles were released off the album, "Inbetween Days" (which reached number 15 in the UK Singles Chart) and "Close To Me" (which reached number 24 in the UK Singles Chart).

The album, reached Number 7 in the UK chart album chart.

Track Listing

Inbetween Days
Kyoto Song
The Blood
Six Different Ways
Push
The Baby Screams
Close To Me
A Night Like This
Screw
Sinking

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

i-Select #121 (Part 2)

White Lion Radio have released Part 2 of Edition #121 of i-Select.

This is a series of shows dedicated to electronic/synthpop bands that are unsigned, signed to a small independent label or self release their material.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist

VHS Dreams - Florida Flight
Conscience - Life In A Dream
JXNS - I Keep Chasing The Rising Sun
LorD and Master - The Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Core In Motion - Not A Game (Radio Edit)
Knight$ - Hi-NRG Crisis (Diskodiktator Remix)
Iammilan - Why Would I Lie To You
Mayah Camara Ft SelloRekt & LA Dreams - Wanting You Now
The McKenzie FIX - Holyrood Park
7 Rising - Peabodys Tune
Scenius - Swift As Light
MCL Ft Mario Geo & Silvr Sage- Another Lover
Don Eastland - Tattoo
CRED - The Change
Arsine Tibé Ft Suzanne Letting - The Book Of Ghosts
LorD And Master- Somewhere Alone
JXNS - Electric Cathedral
Conscience - My angel
VHS Dreams - Nightdrive

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #86

Put The Needle On The Record Week #86 The Communards - Red

For this weeks feature we go back to October 1987 and the Communards album "Red".

I am not a fan of The Communards in general but this is an excellent album and quite varied and is the follow-up to their self titled debut album . The album was produced by Stephen Hague, who at the time was also working closely with the Pet Shop Boys as their producer and his style is clear to hear across the output by both bands during this period.

Quite a few highlights on this album, I especially like the tracks "Tomorrow" (my favourite track off the album), "There's More to Love Than Boy Meets Girl", For a Friend", "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Matter Of Opinion".

In the main critics gave favourable positive reviews of the album when it was released and the album title is a nod to the duo's socialist leanings at the time.

Four singles were released off the album, "Tomorrow" (which reached number 23 in the UK Singles chart), "Never Can Say Goodbye", (which reached number 4 in the UK Singles chart), "For A Friend" (which reached number 28 in the UK Singles chart and "There's More to Love Than Boy Meets Girl" (which reached number 20 in the UK singles chart). 

The album, reached Number 4 in the UK album chart.

Track Listing

Tomorrow
There's More to Love Than Boy Meets Girl
Matter Of opinion
Victims
For A Friend
Never Can Say Goodbye
Lovers And Friends
Hold On Tight
If I Could Tell You
C Minor

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

i-Select #121 (Part 1)

White Lion Radio have released Part 1 of Edition #121 of i-Select.

This is a series of shows dedicated to electronic/synthpop bands that are unsigned, signed to a small independent label or self release their material.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist

Second Complex - Memories
Nicolas Rixon - Heart On The Line
Power Rob - Dangerous
ZOAX - Amelia (Remix)
Future Analog - Searching
Proletarian Poetry - The Secret Memo
Red Sleeping Beauty - In The Darkest Hour (Late Nights Version)
Alenis - Another World
Oui Plastique Ft Bridget Gray - It Doesn´t Matter Two
TourdeForce - Wedding In Fusion
Fictional Ft Patrik Hansson - Embrace The Silence (Single Edit)
Daniel Quasar - Be Alone Tonight
Promenade Cinema - Play With Fate
Neon Space Men - Ordinary Day (Diskodiktator Remix)
Arctic Sunrise - Feelings Changing Hands
Future Analog Ft Wesley Reid - Before I Found You
Perfect Female Type - Blank Tapes
FrontAngel - Computer Problems
Second Complex Ft Daniel Billqvist - A Comfortable Soul

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #85

Put The Needle On The Record Week #85 The League Unlimited Orchestra - Love And Dancing

For this weeks feature we go back to July 1982 and the League Unlimited Orchestra "Love And Dancing".

Love and Dancing is a remix album by the English synth-pop band The Human League, released in July 1982 by Virgin Records. Issued under the band name "The League Unlimited Orchestra" as a nod to Barry White's disco-era Love Unlimited Orchestra, the album was principally the idea and work of producer Martin Rushent and contains dub-style, largely instrumental remixes of songs from the band's multi-platinum selling album Dare (1981), along with a version of the track "Hard Times", which had originally been the B-side of the single "Love Action (I Believe in Love)".

This album along with the Soft Cell album "Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing" were the first ever remix albums released and bulit on the reputation of 1980s 12 inch extended singles.

Virgin Records originally relented against the idea of the remix album, not wanting to pay for or release it. Rushent had to fight their opposition in order to create the album. Oakey remained unsure about the project and left Rushent to make the release on his own.

This was another purchase from HMV on Market street in Manchester! Side 1 of the album is solid enough, however, side 2 disappoints with very short versions of "Seconds", "Open Your Heart" and "The Sound Of The Crowd". 

As this was a remix album no singles were released.

The album, reached Number 3 in the UK chart album chart.

Track Listing

Hard Times
Love Action (I Believe In Love)
Don't You Want Me
Things That Dreams Are Made Of
Do Or Die
Seconds
Open Your Heart
The Sound Of The Crowd

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

Maximum 80s #139

Welcome to edition 139 of Maximum 80s here on White Lion Radio, a show that celebrates the 1980s 12 Inch Single!

This a series of shows that features some of the finest 12 Inch Singles from the 80s all in one continuous mix.

The biggest hits in the 12 Inch format from the greatest decade in music history!

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist

The Beloved - Loving Feeling (Feeling Lovely Mix)
Camouflage - Love Is A Shield (12 Inch Orbit Mix)
Then Jerico - The Motive (US Extended Mix)
Blancmange - The Day Before You Came (Extended Version)
Vicious Pink Phenomena - My Private Tokyo (Long Version)
Amii Stewart - Knock On Wood (12 Inch Version)
OMD - Never Turn Away (Extended Version)
Yarbrough & Peoples - Don't Stop The Feeling (12 Inch Club Mix)
Sinitta - Toy Boy (Extended Bicep Mix)
Evelyn 'Champagne' King - Hold On (Extended Version)
Simple Minds - Speed Your Love To Me (Extended Mix)
Earth Wind & Fire - Thinking Of You (12 Inch Version)

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #84

Put The Needle On The Record Week #84 The Associates - Perhaps

For this weeks feature we go back to February 1985 and the Associates album "Perhaps".

"Perhaps" was the 3rd studio album released by The Associates and the first without original member Alan Rankine and featured the one remaining founder of the band, the brilliant Billy MacKenzie. It was an album that took 2 years to make, as the mastertapes mysteriously went missing (apparently it is believed that MacKenzie had hidden them as he was unhappy with the record) and so the album was started again from scratch and involved 4 different producers which resulted in the album costing £250,000 to make, which for the early 80s was a massive amount of money, but what you have at the end of it is a very cinematic album with beautiful arrangements.

Strangely this was another album I bought on cassette as it included bonus mixes, of course now I have it on CD. Billy MacKenzie is truly superb on this album, his voice is something else, my favoutite tracks are "Those First Impressions", "Waiting For The Loveboat", "Perhaps", "Breakfast" (best track on the album - that piano riff...wonderful!), "The Best Of You" and "The Stranger In Your Voice".

It is really sad that Billy MacKenzie took his own life in January 1997 at the age of 39.

Three singles were released off the album, "Those First Impressions" (which reached number 43 in the UK Singles chart), "Waiting For The Loveboat", (which reached number 53 in the UK Singles chart) and "Breakfast" (which reached number 49 in the UK singles chart, which is criminal to say the least!). 

The album, reached Number 23 in the UK chart album, and is honestly a gem of an album, if you haven't come across it do some digging it will be worth it.

Track Listing

Those First Impressions
Waiting For The Loveboat
Perhaps
Schampout
Helicopter Helicopter
Breakfast
Thirteen Feelings
The Stranger In Your Voice
The Best Of You
Don't Give Me That "I Told You So" look

The original cassette included the following bonus tracks

Perhaps (Instrumental)
Thirteen Feelings (Instrumental)
The Stranger In Your Voice (Instrumental)
Breakfast, Titled "Breakfast Alone" (Instrumental)

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

Rubik's 80s Mix #139 (June 1988)

White Lion Radio have released edition #139 of Rubik's 80s Mix, on this show, we feature tracks that were in the charts, in June 1988.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist For The Show:

Morrissey - Everyday Is Like Sunday
Erasure - Chains Of Love
Eurythmics - You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart
Glenn Medeiros - Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You
The Communards - There's More To Love
Taylor Dayne - I'll Always Love You
Bros - I Owe You Nothing
The Fat Boys With Chubby Checker - The Twist (Yo, Twist)
A-Ha - The Blood That Moves The Body
Joy Division - Atmosphere
Rose Royce - Car Wash
Eighth Wonder - Cross My Heart
Hazell Dean - Maybe (We Should Call It A Day)
INXS - Never Tear Us Apart
Fleetwood Mac - Isn't It Midnight

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #83

Put The Needle On The Record Week #83 Spandau Ballet - True

For this weeks feature we go back to March 1983 and the Spandau Ballet album "True".

"True" was the 3rd studio album by Spandau Ballet and is easily their best album, superbly produced by  Tony Swain and Steve Jolley alongside the band, Swain & Jolley were known for their production on albums by Imagination, the band originally started work on the album with Trevor Horn but for whatever reason that didn't work out.

I like the warm smooth sound across the tracks on the album and there are some fantastic tracks on it, my personal favourites are "Lifeline", "Communication", "Gold", "True" (apparently written for Clare Crogan from Altered images), "Heaven Is A Secret" and "Pleasure". The album features 8 tracks inspired by the likes of Al Green and Marvin Gaye.

I have always found Spandau Ballet to blow hot and cold in respect of their album output, the albums "True" and "Parade" are gems, however the likes of "Diamond" and "Heart Like A Sky" are dreadful albums, the latter especially so.

"True" received a lot of positive reviews by the music press and rightly so, it is their best long player.

Four singles were released off the album, "Lifeline", (which reached number 7 in the UK Singles chart), "Communication", my favourite track on the album", (which reached number 12 in the UK singles chart), "True", (which reached number 1 in the UK Singles chart and number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100) and "Gold", (which reached number 2 in the UK Singles chart and number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the states). "Heaven Is A Secret" was also released as a single, however, not in the UK, just in some european countries, Germany, Holland and Germany

The album, reached Number 1 in the UK chart album chart and number 19 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

Track Listing

Pleasure
Communication
Code Of Love
Gold
Lifeline
Heaven Is A Secret
Foundation
True

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

i-Select #120 (Part 2)

White Lion Radio have released Part 2 of Edition #120 of i-Select.

This is a series of shows dedicated to electronic/synthpop bands that are unsigned, signed to a small independent label or self release their material.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist

Agency-V - Heart Of Stone (BlakLight Remix)
Graflex - The Angels Of Tomorow
Kosmic Kiss - She Dances Thru The Nite (Mastered Mono Bass)
Munatix -  Driving To Amsterdam
JXNS - One Last Time
Castell & Mayah Camara - Strangers
Melo - Midnight People
NEONshe - Pity Party
LightSource-  Midnight Glow
Rogue FX ft Dewar- Dancing In The Night
Saturday AM - Give You Up
Dream Invaders - Demons
Alenis - Run Away
Fraula - La Folie Du Doute
s475e - My City Celebrates
STEVENZERO - Phantasm
Eric C. Powell & Andrea Powell - The Getaway (Nature Of Wires Remix)
Arkavoid - Ten Years Ago
Graflex - Waiting For The Night

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #82

Put The Needle On The Record Week #82 Simple Minds - Once Upon A Time

For this weeks feature we go back to October 1985 and the Simple Minds album "Once Upon A Time".

"Once Upon A Time" was the 7th studio album released by Simple Minds and it is an album, that sees them at their peak. The album followed the hugely successful single "Don't You (Forget About Me)", both here and in the states, however it isn't included on the album.

The album was produced by Jimmy Lovine and every track is a powerful song, my personal highlights are "Alive And Kicking", my favourite track on the album, "Oh Jungleland", very close to being the best track on the album, "Sanctify Yourself", "Once Upon A Time", "All The Things She Said" and "Come A Long Way", the only track I dislike is "Ghost Dancing". The album received positive reviews by music critics.

Four singles were released off the album, "Alive And Kicking", (which reached number 7 in the UK Singles chart and number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100), "Sanctify Yourself", (which reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100) "All The Things She Said", (which reached number 9 in the UK Singles chart and number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100) and "Ghost Dancing", never a single in my book! (which reached number 13 in the UK Singles chart).

The album, reached Number 1 in the UK chart album chart and number 10 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

Track Listing

Once Upon A Time
All The Things She Said
Ghost Dancing
Alive And Kicking
Oh Jungleland
I Wish You Were Here
Sancify Yourself
Come A Long Way

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

i-Select #120 (Part 1)

White Lion Radio have released Part 1 of Edition #120 of i-Select.

This is a series of shows dedicated to electronic/synthpop bands that are unsigned, signed to a small independent label or self release their material.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist

Ivar F Hansen - Autumn In Colour 
Kraftman - Tour De France '25
Nicolas Rixon - Lost Song (Future Analog Remix)
Steve Hardaker - Oceanwide
Bending Grid & Power Rob - Mr Right
Arcade Beach - Moving Away
Daybehavior - Silver Song
Exposed Brick - Kafka's Laughter (Extended Version)
Positronic - Gravity
SIXMIXSIX - Fragmenta
80s Express Ft New Life Generation - Don't You (Forget About Me)
Kraftman - Neon Lights
Arvid Tuba - Anemoia
Bending Grid & The Safety Word - The Universe Within (The Safety Word Remix)
Avoid-A-Void - Calm In Violence
The Grab Society - Da Da Da Ich Lieb Dich Nicht Du Liebst Mich Nicht Aha Aha Aha
Vogon Poetry & SCALA - Immortals (Oren Amram Remix)
Arcade Beach - Lost In Conversation
Gulvoss - Speed Of Life (Eyeblink Remix Club Edit)
Nicolas Rixon - You Took Me There
Ivar F Hansen - Accapella Conserto

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #81

Put The Needle On The Record Week #81 Sex Pistols - The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle

For this weeks feature we go back to February 1979 and the Sex Pistols album "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle".

This choice might just surprise a few people but I love this album, I was never into punk or anything but always found the Sex Pistols a fascinating band, total carnage with anything they were involved with, doing things there way way no matter what! Another surprising fact for you, is I bought this album the same day I bought the Tubeway Army album "Replicas", I bought both on cassette! During summer of 1979 when on holiday me and my brother listened to both of these albums over and over again.

Where do you start with this record, well it was released to tie in with a film being released back then with the same name, the big problem they had was, John Lydon had left the band before this soundtrack album was released and as such they needed a vocalist to record vocals and that is why Sid Vicious sings on quite a few tracks, the album also includes the great train robber, Ronnie Biggs who sang vocals on my favouite Sex Pistols track "No One Is Innocent" and Tenpole Tudor who provided vocals on "Who Killed Bambi", "Rock Around The Clock" and the title track "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle". Lots to enjoy on this album, my favourite tracks are "No One Is Innocent" (of course!), "Anarchy In The UK", "My Way", "Something Else", "C'Mon Everybody", "Friggin' In The Riggin'", and the title track.

If I had one recommendation it is this.....stick the album on crank up the volume and fuck the neighbours!

This was the bands follow up to the hugely successful "Never Mind The Bollocks" album.

A whopping 6 singles were released off the album, the double A Side "No One Is Innocent"/"My Way" (which reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart), "Something Else" (which reached number 22 in the UK Singles Chart), "Silly Thing" (which reached number 6 in the UK Singles chart), "C'Mon Everybody" (which reached 3 in the UK Singles chart), "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle" (which reached number 21 in the UK Singles chart) and "(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone" (which reached number 21 in the UK Singles chart.

The album reached number 7 in the UK Album Chart

Track Listing

Side A

God Save The Queen (Orchestral)
Johnny B Goode
Roadrunner
Black Arabs (Disco Medley)
Anarchy In The UK

Side B

Substitute
Don't Give Me No Lip Child
(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone
L'Anarchie Pour Le UK
Belsen Was A Gas
Belsen Vos A Gas

Side C

Silly Thing
My Way
I Wanna Be Me
Something Else
Rock Around The Clock
Lonely Boy
No One Is Innocent

Side D

C'Mon Everybody
EMI (Orchestral)
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle
Friggin' In The Riggin'
You Need Hands
Who Killed Bambi

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin, go on, you know you want to!

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #80

Put The Needle On The Record Week #80 Roxy Music - Avalon

For this weeks feature we go back to May 1982 and the Roxy Music album "Avalon".

"Avalon" was the 8th album released by Roxy Music and is 1 of only 2 Roxy Music albums I like, the other being "Flesh & Blood", "Avalon" definitely sees the band at their peak, as it is a stunning album and Bryan Ferry is on top form. It is also the bands most successful album and was also the bands last studio album. The album was produced by the band and Rhett Davies.

Stand out tracks for me are "Avalon", "Take A Chance With Me", "To Turn You On", "More Than This" (my favourite track), "The Space Between" and "While My Heart Is Still Beating".

A very interesting fact for you, the sleeve for the record was done by Peter Saville, who is renowned for producing artwork for Joy Division and New Order, I had no idea he had done the cover for this album!

Three singles were released off the album, "More Than This", (which reached number 6 in the UK Singles chart), the title track "Avalon", (which reached number 13 in the UK singles chart) and "Take A Chance With Me", (which reached number 26 in the UK Singles chart).

The album, reached Number 1 in the UK chart album chart.

Track Listing

More Than This
The Space Between
Avalon
India
While My Heart Is Still Beating
The Main Thing
Take A Chance With Me
To Turn You On
True To Life
Tara

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

Maximum 80s #138

Welcome to edition 138 of Maximum 80s here on White Lion Radio, a show that celebrates the 1980s 12 Inch Single!

This a series of shows that features some of the finest 12 Inch Singles from the 80s all in one continuous mix.

The biggest hits in the 12 Inch format from the greatest decade in music history!

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist

Icicle Works - Whisper To A Scream (Extended Club Remix)
Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (German 12 Inch Remix)
Primary Colours - Paint Love Blue (Extended Mix)
Kingdoms - Heartland (Extended Version)
Echo & The Bunnymen - Bring On The Dancing Horses (Extended Mix)
Kissing The Pink - One Step (Extended Remix)
Thomas Dolby - One Of Our Submarines Is Missing (Extended Version)
Fiction Factory - Ghost Of Love (Extended)
Limahl - Never Ending Story - Club Mix)
Lloyd Cole - My Bag (Dancing Remix)
Tears For Fears - Change (Extended Version)
The Game - Walk Away (Special Mix)

Rubik's 80s Mix #138 (February 1988)

White Lion Radio have released edition #138 of Rubik's 80s Mix, on this show, we feature tracks that were in the charts, in February 1988.

 

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist For The Show:

Jermaine Stewart - Say It Again
Luther Vandross - Give Me The Reason
Taylor Dayne - Tell It To My Heart
Deacon Blue - Dignity
Eddy Grant - Gimme Hope Jo'Anna
Kylie Minogue - I Should Be So Lucky
Billy Ocean - Get Outta My Dreams Get Into My Car
Alexander O'Neal Ft Cherrelle - Never Knew Love Like This
OMD - Dreaming
The Mission - Tower Of Strength
Sting - An Englishman In New York
Bomb The Bass - Beat Dis
Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror
Eighth Wonder - I'm Not Scared
Morrissey - Suedehead

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #79

Put The Needle On The Record Week #79 Duran Duran - Seven And The Ragged Tiger

For this weeks feature we go back to November 1983 and the Duran Duran album "Seven And The Ragged Tiger".

This was the bands 3rd album and for me, is their best and most consistant album, with quality tracks from start to finish and some superb 12 inch mixes released on the back of it. The album was recorded in Australia, France and the Caribbean (alright for some!). Surprisingly their was a lot of tension between the band members during the recording of the album which initially saw little productivity owing to arguments about the direction the album was going in.

It didn't get good reviews from the music critics either, however, it was a huge commercial success and also featured some pretty lavish promo videos.

My favourite track on the album is "New Moon On Monday", in addition other tracks that I really like are "The Reflex", "Of Crime And Passion", Shadows On Your Side", "Union Of The Snake", (I'm Looking For) Cracks In The Pavement and The Seventh Stranger". 

3 singles were released off the album "Union Of The Snake" (which reached number 3 in the UK Singles Chart and also number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100), "New Moon On Monday" (which reached number 9 in the UK Singles Chart and Number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100) and a remixed version of "The Reflex" by Nile Rodgers (which reached number 1 in both the UK Singles chart and US Billboard Hot 100).

The album reached number 1 in the UK Album Chart

Track Listing

The Reflex
New Moon On Monday
(I'm Looking For) Cracks In The Pavement
I Take The Dice
Of Crime And Passion
Union Of The Snake
Shadows On Your Side
Tiger Tiger
The Seventh Stranger

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #78

Put The Needle On The Record Week #78 Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder

 

For this weeks feature we go back to July 1985 and the Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder album "Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder".

This one off self titled album by Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder is a fantastic album, filled with pop gems, including the massive hit single "Together In Electric Dreams" and other pop nuggets, including "Good-bye Bad Times" (my favourite track on the album), "Be My Lover Now", "Why Must The Show Go On", it also featured some excellent 12 inch mixes of some of the tracks too.

Apparently, according to Phil Oakey, the album was completed in a matter of days and was produced by Moroder. I've always found it strange that on compilations "Together In Electric Dreams" is credited to The Human League!

Three singles were released off the album, "Together In Electric Dreams", (which reached number 3 in the UK Singles chart), "Good-Bye Bad Times", (which only reached number 52 in the UK singles chart....unbelievable!!) and "Be My Lover Now", (which reached number 74 in the UK Singles chart).

The album, reached Number 52 in the UK chart album chart.

Track Listing

Why Must The Show Go On
In Transit
Good-Bye Bad Times
Brand New Lover
Valerie
Now
Together In Electric Dreams
Be My Lover Now
Shake It Up
Together In Electric Dreams (Extended)
Together In Electric Dreams (Instrumental)
In Transit (Extended)
Good-Bye Bad Times (12 Inch Remix)
Good-Bye Bad Times (Instrumental)
Be My Lover Now (12 Inch Remix)
Be My Lover Now (Instrumental)

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

i-Select #119 (Part 2)

 White Lion Radio have released Part 2 of Edition #119 of i-Select.

This is a series of shows dedicated to electronic/synthpop bands that are unsigned, signed to a small independent label or self release their material.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist

Conscience - Girl In A Car (Update)
eLxAr - All Is Quiet (In The End)
LLUVA & Sonia - After A Thousand Moments
Perfect Female Type - Epsilon Drift
Metroland - The Smaller Reset
David Ehrke - Futureworld
Late Night Hour - Knight Rider
Neonshe - It Girl
K.A.R.R Ft JJ Mist - Runaway Heart
Jay Cee - Torch Songs For Divas (Vocoder Mix)
7 Rising - Come Back
Scenius - Beat The Light
Après La Nuit - Save Your Soul (Antiflvx Remix)
Kvasi - Kom Ihag Potatis
LightSource Ft Neon Shards - Into The Grey
Andrew Corbin - We Could Be On Fire
eLxAr - Bliss In D
Church Of Trees - Mystery Boys (RSDystopianMix)
Conscience - You Can't Change The World (Update)

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #77

Put The Needle On The Record Week #77 Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

For this weeks feature we go back to February 1980 and the self titled debut album by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.

I actually discovered OMD by listening to a session they recorded for John Peel and also bought their singles, "Electricity" (how this wasn't a massive hit I will never know, quite possibly one of the catchiest songs ever released!) and "Red Frame White Light", a song about a telephone box in Liverpool the band used as their "business office".

It is such a raw sounding album, which for me, makes it a fabulous album, a fine example of this is the version of "Messages" that is on the album compared to the re-recorded version released as a single. Lots to enjoy on this album, my favourite tracks are "Bunker Soldiers", "Almost" (B-Side of the "Electricity Single"), "Electricty" (obviously), "The Messerschmitt Twins", one of my favourite OMD tracks, "Messages", "Red Frame White Light" and "Pretending To See The Future", the only track that I have never liked on the album is "Dancing".

The concept of the album is centred around war themes, the album was self produced at their own studios in Liverpool, built from their advance received off the record label, however, Andy and Paul were never happy with the production and described their efforts as naive.

It was at this point that OMD expanded to 4 members, with Martin Cooper and Malcolm Holmes joining the band, they had performed as a duo up until that point and used backing tapes on a 4 track tape recorder that was given the name "Winston".

Reviews of the album were generally positive.

I bought the LP on the day of release from a record store in the Arndale Centre in Manchester, it might have been called "Bradley's", an interesting bit of information for you, the LP included an address that you could write to for more information on the band, which I sent a letter too and actually received a reply from Andy and Paul and they enclosed information about the bands history, typed information sheets about the instruments they used and they were signed by Andy and Paul, 45 years on I still have this wonderful artifact, so it is probably extremely rare!

3 singles were released off the album, "Electricity", (which reached number 99 in the UK Singles chart - baffling beyond belief!), "Red Frame White Light" (which reached number 67 in the UK singles chart) and "Messages" (which reached number 13 in the UK singles chart)

The album, reached Number 27 in the UK chart album chart.

Track Listing

Bunker Soldiers
Almost
Mystereality
Electricity
The Messerschmitt Twins
Messages
Julia's Song
Red Frame White Light
Dancing
Pretending To See The Future

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

i-Select #119 (Part 1)

 White Lion Radio have released Part 1 of Edition #119 of i-Select.

This is a series of shows dedicated to electronic/synthpop bands that are unsigned, signed to a small independent label or self release their material.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist

BlakLight - Buried Alive
Matthew Nowhere Ft Lunar Twin - Transforming
Eric C Powell & Andrea Powell - The Getaway (Graflex Italo Remix)
Projekt Ich Ft Conscience - Leave My Dreams
Hatif - On Our Own
Lonelyklown - The End Of The World
Mayah Camara - Crush
Obsession Of Time - Scared Now
MTTM - Electricity
Exposed Brick - Kafka's Laughter
Melo - I Don't Speak French
Knights - Supernatural Lover
ReveLever - Never For Granted
Björn Norestig -  Rose
Eno - Waiting For A Sign
DRUMxWAVE Ft The Bad Dreamers - Stars
Projekt Ich Ft Frecuencias Ocultas - (Un(d)AbtanzBAR Mix I)
Hatif - Sleight Of Hand
BlakLight - One Last Time

Put The Needle On The Record #76

Put The Needle On The Record Week #76 Pet Shop Boys - Introspective

For this weeks feature we go back to October 1988 and the Pet Shop Boys album "Introspective.

"Introspective" is the 3rd album released by the Pet Shop Boys and was a unique release, in that the album featured 12 inch mixes of all the tracks on the album, some of which were then edited into more radio friendly mixes and it is a fabulous album, it contained just 6 songs, all of which are brilliant, it of course features the classics, "Left To My Own Devices" and "Domino Dancing", as well as, another big favourite of mine "I'm Not Scared", which Neil and Chris originally wrote for Eighth Wonder, the album also includes one of their best ever tracks, a cover of the hit "Always On My Mind" and the mix on Introspective is a real banger!!

It was well recieved by music critics and has sold over 600,000 copies in the UK alone.

The tracks "Left To My Own Devices" and "It's Alright" were produced by Trevor Horn, "Always On My Mind", was co-produced by the Pet Shop Boys and Julian Mendelsohn, and the other 3 songs on the album were produced by the Pet Shop Boys and Frankie Knuckles ("I Want A Dog"), Lewis A. Martinee ("Dominio Dancing") and David Jacob (I'm Not Scared").

Three singles were released off the album, "Domino Dancing", (which reached number 7 in the UK Singles chart), "Left To My Own Devices", (which reached number 4 in the UK singles chart) and "It's Alright", (which reached number 5 in the UK Singles chart).

The album, reached Number 2 in the UK chart album chart.

Track Listing

Left To My Own Devices
I Want A Dog
Domino Dancing
I'm Not Scared
Always On My Mind/In My House
It's Alright

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

Maximum 80s #137

 

Welcome to edition 137 of Maximum 80s here on White Lion Radio, a show that celebrates the 1980s 12 Inch Single!

This a series of shows that features some of the finest 12 Inch Singles from the 80s all in one continuous mix.

The biggest hits in the 12 Inch format from the greatest decade in music history!

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist

Psychedelic Furs - Pretty In Pink (Berlin Mix)
Tears For Fears - Pale Shelter (Extended Version)
Erasure - Chains Of Love (The Unfettered Mix)
Secret Wish - London Dancing (12 Inch Remix)
Marc Almond - Tears Run Rings (The Justin Strauss Remix)
Vitamin Z - Burning Flame (Extended Dance Mix)
Sean Novack - This Is Your Captain (Extended)
Bryan Ferry - Slave To Love (12 Inch Remix)
Seona Dancing - Bitter Heart (+3 BPM Remix)
White China - Real World (Extended Version)
Radio Movie - Do What You Want (Long Version)
Q Lazzarus - Goodbye Horses (Extended Version)

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #75

Put The Needle On The Record Week #75 New Order - Low-Life

For this weeks feature we go back to May 1985 and the New Order album "Low-Life.

"Low-Life" was New Orders 3rd album, released by Factory Records and was the follow-up to "Power Corruption & Lies" and is more electronic than their previous albums, something that makes this album, one of my favourite New Order albums and was an album I played to death on the cassette player in my car during 1985! It has been an album that is rarely talked about, which is a shame, because it is an excellent album.

Whilst the album only contains 8 tracks it is quality from start to finish, my favourite tracks on it are "Love Vigilantes", "The Perfect Kiss", "Sub-Culture", "Face Up" and "Elegia". By the way Neil Tennant reviewed the album for Smash Hits, before making it big as part of the Pet Shop Boys, rated this album New Order's best to date, high praise indeed. 

New Order produced the album themselves and Peter Saville designed the artwork, which was quite unique, as it featured photograpns of all members of the band. The album was certified silver on the back of 60,000 plus sales in the UK

Just two singles were released off the album, "The Perfect Kiss", one of their very best singles for me, the 12 inch is a masterpiece, (which reached number 46 in the UK Singles chart - absolutely criminal it only reached that chart position), and "Sub-Culture", which was remixed by John Robie, (which reached number 63 in the UK singles chart....another baffling fact!).

The album, reached Number 7 in the UK chart album chart.

Track Listing

Love Vigilantes
The Perfect Kiss
This Time Of Night
Sunrise
Elegia
Sooner Than You Think
Sub-Culture
Face-Up

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

Rubik's 80s Mix #137 (July 1984)

White Lion Radio have released edition #137 of Rubik's 80s Mix, on this show, we feature tracks that were in the charts, in July 1984.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Find out more about our shows on our official webpage:

https://whitelionradio.myfreesites.net/

And on our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/WhiteLionRadio/

Playlist For The Show:

Prince - When Doves Cry
Shannon - Sweet Somebody
The Human League - Life On Your Own
The Thompson Twins - Sister Of Mercy
Ultravox - Lament
Divine - You Think You're A Man
Blancmange - The Day Before You Came
A Flock Of Seagulls - The More You Live The More You Love
Queen - It's A Hard Life
Hazell Dean - Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)
Michael Jackson - Farewell My Summer Love
Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It
Jeffrey Osborne - On The Wings Of Love
Echo & The Bunnymen - Seven Seas
Phil Fearon & Galaxy - Everybody's Laughing

Put The Needle On The Record - Week #74

Put The Needle On The Record Week #74 Ultravox - Rage In Eden

For this weeks feature we go back to September 1981 and the Ultravox album "Rage In Eden".

"Rage In Eden" was the 5th album released by Ultravox (2nd Midge Ure era release) and was the follow up to "Vienna". It was always going to be difficult to release this album and for it to be as good as "Vienna", I must admit I wasn't overly impressed with it when it first came out, however, over the years I have re-assessed it and feel it is an excellent album in the main. Like "Vienna" the album only featured 9 tracks and aside from "The Ascent" and "Accent On Youth" it is a good solid album, I immediately liked "The Voice", a superb song and in my Top 5 Ultravox tracks, "The Thin Wall" took a while to grow on me, whilst the tracks "Your Name (Has Slipped My Mind Again)" and "I Remember (Death In The Afternoon)" are also standout tracks on the album.

The album was once again co-produced by Conny Plank and the sleeve artwork was designed by Peter Saville (who is well known for his album cover designs for the likes of New Order and Joy Division).

I actually saw the band live on the tour to promote this album at the Manchester Apollo, the only time I have seen them live, from what I recall they were fabulous live.

Only 2 singles were released off the album, "The Thin Wall" (which reached number 14 in the UK Singles chart) and "The Voice" (which reached number 16 in the UK Singles chart - it deserved to do better than that!).

The album, reached Number 4 in the UK Album chart.

Track Listing

The Voice
We Stand Alone
Rage In Eden
I Remember (Death In The Afternoon)
The Thin Wall
Stranger Within
Accent On Youth
The Ascent
Your Name (Has Slipped My Mind Again)

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

i-Select #118 (Part 2)

 White Lion Radio have released Part 2 of Edition #118 of i-Select.

This is a series of shows dedicated to electronic/synthpop bands that are unsigned, signed to a small independent label or self release their material.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist

The Gliding Faces - Lift
Nova - Frequency
Hoffman Cruise - Drive
Fragile Child - Broken Soul
Lyst - Ray Tracer
Gulvoss - Lord Of The Game
Rogue FX - Great Escape
Mayah Camara Ft Perfect Female Type - Play Your Games
The Gliding Faces - Wake Me Up Tonight (People Theatre Dungeon Remix)
Late Night Hour - Flynns Arcade
Richard Evans - Born Perfect
Arpraxis - Love Of The 80s
Dilemmachine - Fred
MTTM - Beyond The Sea
Arvid Tuba - Take Me to Metropolis
CRED - To Hold On
Power Rob & Night Rider 87 - In The Desert
JXNS - Where The Roads Unwind
Lluva - Lobo Hombre En Paris
The Gliding Faces - What We Had
Hoffman Cruise - Stardust
Fragile Child - Broken Soul
Proletarian Poetry - State Of The World

Put The Needle On The Record #73

Put The Needle On The Record Week #73 Depeche Mode - Violator

For this weeks feature we go back to March 1990 and the Depeche Mode album "Violator".

"Violator" by Depeche Mode, is regarded as the bands best album and it is hard to argue when you look at the high quality of tracks on the album, "World In My Eyes", "Halo", "Personal Jesus", "Waiting For The Night", "Enjoy The Silence" and "Policy Of Truth", that said, I do think the final 2 tracks on the album "Blue Dress" and "Clean" are fillers. On my MP3 player I have replaced the last 2 tracks with "Happiest Girl" and "Sea Of Sin", which were part of the "World In My Eyes" single release.

The album was produced by Flood and was warmly received by music critics and is one of the albums that was included in the book, 1001 albums you must hear before you die, the album sold over 7 1/2 million copies.

One observation is, that the singles released off this album are outstanding, probably the best collection of singles that have ever been released off any album.

Four singles were released off the album, "Personal Jesus" (which reached number 13 in the UK Singles chart and number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the states), "Enjoy The Silence", one of my all time favourite Depeche Mode tracks, (which reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the states), "Policy Of Truth", (which reached number 16 in the UK Singles chart and number 15 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the states) and "World In My Eyes, (which reached number 17 in the UK Singles chart and number 52 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the states).

The album, reached Number 2 in the UK chart and number 7in the Billboard 200 chart.

Track Listing

World In My Eyes
Sweetest Perfection
Personal Jesus
Halo
Waiting For The Night
Enjoy The Silence
Policy Of Truth
Blue Dress
Clean

If you have this album in your collection, dig it out and give it a spin!

i-Select #118 (Part 1)

White Lion Radio have released Part 1 of Edition #118 of i-Select.

This is a series of shows dedicated to electronic/synthpop bands that are unsigned, signed to a small independent label or self release their material.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Playlist

Conscience - Parallel worlds
Alenis - As She Dances
Psy'Aviah Ft Sorrow Stories - Healing (Lectreau's Radio Process 7inch Mix)
Demokratie - And Then (Radio Edit)
Matthew Nowhere - Echoes Still Remain
The Rude Awakening - Plastic Friend (dEk101 Adagio Mix)
April O'Neil & DMME - When The Party Is Over
Michelle Ward Ft Ed Rome - What I Wanted
Nature Of Wires - Dead To Me
Matthew Nowhere - Love Is Only What We Are (Radio Edit)
SIXMIXSIX - Unspoken
Iammilan - Why Would I Lie To You (Idiot Synchrony Radio Edit)
Alan Dreezer - Apart
Tenodi Boris Ft Kosmic Kiss - Sand Dune
Conscience - Between The lines (EP Version)
Jay Cee - Ergo I Win
Demokratie - Living A Boy's Adventure Tale (Radio Edit)
Out Runner - Blackout
Alenis - As She Dances
Matthew Nowhere Ft Lunar Twin - Transforming
Split Vision - Blasphemous Rumours (Depeche Mode Cover)
April O'Neil - Twilight Dreamscape