Wolfsheim (7) - Casting Shadows

Back in 2003, I stumbled on a song that I loved instantly, though I didn't understand a word of its all-German lyrics: kein zurück. Peter Heppner's vocals, mixed with the haunting and mellow synthpop melodies just captivated me. The videoclip didn't really help understanding the story, as it shows a young woman in a laundry service room, throwing laundry in anger, and escorted out by security - making eye contact with Wolfsheim members within and without, before knocking someone off a bike... 

Schiller (album 3) - Leben

Schiller's third album, Leben, is one of my favorite of his albums, and there are quite a few versions of it in the market, with varying tracks.

It was recorded in 2002-2003 and released in Germany on 13/10/2003. 

  

Schiller (part 0)

Let me introduce you to my second biggest musical obsession of the past couple years: German electronic DJ Christopher Von Deylen, aka Schiller - named after the famous poet and dramatist of the same name (and with the first name Friedrich).

In the early days, Schiller wasn't a one-man band with guests, but also included Mirgo Von Schlieffen, who remained with Christopher from 1998 to about 2001 or 2002. 

Like many other DJ's, Christopher/ Schiller never provide any vocals. Instead, he has a plethora of guests who sing - usually in English, but sometimes in German or other languages.

Schiller (vid 1) - Weltreise

Schiller's second album is also the first to get a video release in the form of a DVD, released the same year as the regular and limited edition CD. But, why would anyone buy this since that CD is made in dolby surround? I'll tell you why : because it offers more than the album itself.

Schiller (album 2 - Weltreise (world travel) / Voyage

Schiller's second album marks a shift in its entirety: if you recall, the first album, Zeitgeist had a few spoken word lyrics, all in German. The music was Trance and Ambient. 

Weltreise ( meaning World travel), is the first Trance and Synthpop, and also the first to invite vocalists for several songs as you'll see on these images of my special, 2 cd, limited edition

Pet Shop Boys (album 2) - Actually

29  years ago, today, was released the Pet Shop Boys' second studio album, Actually. It's funny, I reached for it before I even knew that. 

It's biggest hit, It's a sin, which Neil Tennant wrote in 15 minutes to release his anger about his catholic upbringing and pertaining to actions that are pleasurable and regarded as sins. This particular song is my favorite for its massive electronic synthesizers and over-the-top dramatic production both in song and clip, and was part of my own rebellion in my own religious upbringing. 

Pet Shop Boys (part 1B) - Disco

The PSB's Disco isn't considered a studio album per se, because it's rather a collection of remixes from their first album, Please.

Disco was released on 17 November 1986 - 8 months after Please. All it's tracks were recorded in 1985-86 and are remixes of songs which appeared in Please (4 from the album, 2 from b-sides). 

They are all extended and offer a glimpse to the more techno-y sounds that the band will release later on (especially Relentless, which is a bonus CD on one of Very's edition, more on that in due time).

Pet Shop Boys (album 1) - Please

The Pet Shop Boys's first album was recorded in 1984-85 and released on 24th of March 1986. It includes their first 4 hits:

• West end girls 
• Opportunities (let's make lots of money) 
• Love comes quickly 
• Suburbia

Erasure (part 0)

Back in the late 80's,  my then-best friend and fellow classmate introduced me to his favourite bands : Pet Shop Boys and Erasure, each composed by 2 members and which are still active to this day. They quickly became 2 of my top-10 bands, and I enjoy most of their songs, their rhythms, and the beauty in writing and singing.
I'll now concentrate on Erasure, a synthpop band formed by Vince Clarke the musician and Andy Bell the singer, in 1985.