Music from the ex-Yugoslavia is a region well worth exploring. Everything from Industrial and goth to power-pop was well-represented, and a lot of this material holds up quite well. Take, for example, Opera Lu, a band from Sarajevo, whose New-Wave sound compares favorably to bands like The Buzzcocks and The Real Kids.
New Wave
[Music] Joy Division – Chance (Atmosphere)
Chance was the original working title to one of the most seminal songs of the New Wave–Post-Punk genre, Joy Division’s masterpiece, Atmosphere.
[Video] Nolan “N. F.” Porter – Keep On Keepin’ On
Nolan (then known as N. F.) Porter was an American Northern Soul singer whose hit, which we’re hearing now, would be the catalyst for Joy Division getting signed to a major label. While the band scrapped their attempt at covering the song, the guitar lick would serve as the foundation of their track, Interzone, as heard below:
For more on the story between N.F. Porter and Joy Division, check out this post by OpinEars.
[Video] Warsaw (pre-Joy Division) – At A Later Date
To think that the kings of post-punk, Joy Division, started as Warsaw, something not much greater than your typical pub band. Still, this is raw material, and it doesn’t sound too dated.
[Video] Aztec Camera – Oblivious
I had a neighbor, Christina, when I was about 13 or so. Most of her music taste I would consider to be… meh…, but she did introduce me to this particular song. It’s amazing to thing that Aztec Camera have managed to continue on for 30 years, with Roddy Frame producing consistently good music.
[Article] The Video For “Love Will Tear Us Apart” Was Filmed 35 Years Ago Today
Has it really been that long? I’ll be turning 45 in a couple of months, and reading this story reminds me of how much time has zipped by. I still remember hearing this at around 13 years old, thanks to an uncle who was into New Wave music at the time. I was instantly mesmerized, as I was when I had first heard New Order a few months previous.
Thanks to Post-Punk.com for the trip down memory lane.
[Video] Joy Division – Colony ( Peel Session – 1979)
Joy Division always sounded amazing in the studio. During their sessions for John Peel, they were even more powerful, as the gloss of Martin Hannett was replaced by a raw, stripped-down version of a classic tune.
[Video] Faye Wong – Know Who You Are At Every Age
Chinese chanteuse Faye Wong covers the Cocteau Twins sublimely.
[Video] Public Image Ltd. – Banging The Door
Going through some old post-punk albums last night, Public Image Ltd‘s name came to mind. Thanks to Enzo Notorio’s good taste, he pointed me to the direction of The Flowers of Romance, which contained this gem.
[Video] The Durutti Column – Domo Arigato
The first live album I was ever blown away by.
When I was attending college in my teen years, I had a good friend, Fish, who had impeccable musical taste. He introduced me to the work of The Durutti Column, and if memory serves me right, this was the record which first turned me on to their oeuvre.
Nearly 30 years later, it still sounds magnificent. Hunt down this album, and hope that Factory will reissue this as a Blu-Ray one day.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 