Archive for the factory tag

A Certain Ratio: Shack Up

This blog entry is something has been an item that's been a long time coming, aside from the fact that I've been pushed the passed several weeks to do so.  Through technological failures, and alcohol issues, I've pretty much sidelined this project (that and I'm a lazy son of a bitch, one must note).  What makes this particular post all the more pressing is the necessity for A Certain Ration to be known by YOU!: the common people, the beautiful people, the wondrous, glorious readers of this blog, and fellow patrons of Atomic.

In a perfect world, ACR would have shared some of the notoriety of fellow label mates, Joy Division. Not that I believe they're more deserving of it than say later acts :cough: Happy Mondays :cough:, but ACR would find its audience.  The band would find popularity in NYC clubs, falling in with the post-disco/punk, and the short but influential no-wave movements; with other funk-stylized acts, ESG and Liquid Liquid (to name a shallow few).

So, here is where I serve up one of my favorite tracks (there's also a pretty outstanding remix that should be sought after).  Enjoy!

official website
Buy Shack Up on Amazon.com

Electronic: Getting Away With It

In honor of the New Order tribute this week at Atomic, I present Electronic. Electronic served as a side-project of New Order lead singer Bernard Sumner. Joining forces with him was ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, both sharing a mutual love for both electronic (obviously) and house music.

This likely combo also dragged along Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys for the ride on their 1989 debut single "Getting Away with It." Rumor has it that the lyrics of the song were a parody on Morrissey's lyrics and public interviews, including the chorus: "However I look / It's clear to see / I love you more than you love me."

The first Electronic album of the same name is ranked highly among my favorite work of Sumner and is definitely worth pursuit if you are new to the band.

Hear this song and other New Order related tracks this week on Thursday, February 4th for Atomic at Neo... See you in the dark.

Electronic on Amazon

New Order: Tribute at Neo 2/4/10

I  still get excited every year when we do our New Order Tribute Night. It’s not only a chance for us to play a bunch of New Order that we don’t normally play at Atomic, but it’s now one of the few times a year that I indulge in the brilliance of one of the most influential bands over the last thirty years.

The two songs here represent two completely different New Order styles, but they share that sentimental touch that ties the history of the band together. "Dreams Never End" is from their debut album Movement. Musically, the album still had a Joy Division feel to it, but it laid the ground work that turned them into international pop stars later in the decade. It's one of the few New Order songs with Peter Hook on vocals. Listen to Dreams Never End (1982) and then The Cure’s Inbetween Days (1985). Trust me. The second song, "Here to Stay" was recorded for the 24 Hour Party People Soundtrack in 2002 and was dedicated to Martin Hannett (Joy Division/New Order producer), Rob Gretton (Joy Division/New Order manager), and Ian Curtis (Joy Division lead vocalist).

New Order Online [official fansite]

Boxcar: Freemason (You Broke the Promise)

It would be easy to dismiss this band as simply another one of those synthpop rip off bands from the late 80's and early 90's; especially considering their similar sound to late 80's New Order and their work with Arthur Baker. However, this Australian band formed in the mid-80's and experimented with house, techno, and trance for over ten years. This single (originally released in 1988) was taken from their 1990 album called Vertigo. They had minimal overall success on the charts but this track hit #8 on the Billboard Dance Chart 21 years ago.

If you like this song and like bands such as Red Flag, Cetu Javu, Camouflage, Kon Kan, Information Society, Depeche Mode, New Order and Cut Copy; check out the rest of the album:

Boxcar - Vertigo