Haus Arafna - New York Rhapsody

Delightfully polished industrial/darkwave: New York Rhapsody is sometimes reminiscent of Raime, but a bit smoother--full of crisp popping, dripping synth tones, and murmured vocals. The record was originally made to serve as a soundtrack for a fashion show, so it's bit more rhythmic than Haus Arafna's other releases.

A contemporary minimal synth release that is neither comically macabre or overtly "dancey."

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Tuxedomoon - Desire

Post-punk does psychedelic. Desire is one of the strangest records I've ever heard: as it seems to embrace both minimal synth and prog-rock templates equally.  With a wide range of stylistic experimentation, this record somehow remains coherent and compelling for all ten tracks.

Tuxedomoon takes cues from White Light/Heat (in particular, "Sister Ray" and "Lady Godiva's Operation"), Taj Mahal Travellers, The Comsat Angels, and Swans. There are a few weak points in the album, namely the last few, dwindling minutes of "East" (of which the first half is excellent), and a touch of overexposure to Winston Tong's dirge-like vocals. However, the absolutely killer basslines and totally refreshing use of a saxophone is more than enough to make this record memorable, and utterly sophisticated.

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