Various – Some Bizzare Album

I really REALLY look after my records and sleeves, I always have. But I had to buy a second copy of this as the first did just get worn down. It's so damn good, it's all so listenable and as fresh now as it ever was.

Does anyone else’s copy come with a window sticker of a red/yellow fish with, “some bizzare album” written inside the fish and bubbles above with the red/yellow torso from the album cover in the last bubble?

Stevo had just turned 18 when this album was released. It is quite a feat that someone that young had the oversight and foresight to put together such a groundbreaking and long lasting album.

One of the most influential records of the 80s and 90s. Basically a collection of great hits by some of the best New Romantic bands. For some reason some made it big (depeche mode and soft cell) while others remain known only as cult-classic (b movie) but every single band here, every single song is brilliant. One of the best compilations of New Romantic ever put together

Here's where the story starts. Stevø and his label had a fair share of ups and downs in the last thirty-something years. Some artists complained and boycotted, some others stayed with the man. Regardless of the drawbacks and Stevø's erratic behaviour, the label's cultural impact cannot be underestimated.

With "Some Bizarre Album", he had a vision ing and compiling a number of then-unknown groups for his Futurist chart and the end result is an entertaining and challenging collection of should-have-been pop hits and experimental teases and dares. Not all songs here fulfill the promise but in total, no song is less than good - slightly marked by what now turns out to be a stereotype of the era; fashion over substance; the rise of the New Romantics and Synth-pop.

A rather confusing moment with the set, though - CD and LP versions seem to exchange their opening moments (Blancmange and Illustration respectively). Judging from a personal point of listening, the CD variant works better, kicking off with "Sad Day" as formal introduction, a piece Blancmange reworked drastically for their slightly later debut LP "Happy Families". While that album is a stunning piece of work, the Some Bizarre version of "Sad Day" is absolutely more superior in its melancholic reflection, left alone in obscurity. Almost a Durutti Column track, it is a moody instrumental, delivered from its own limitations - the tape source (the rhythm), augmented by a simple yet cosy deep bass line as if a clock on the wall, ticking the tea time away. The guitar and mellow synths on top add to the flavour and make it a truly rewarding listen. Ideal for cosy winter afternoons. Soft Cell break the pastoral feel with a twitchy "The Girl With the Patent Leather Face", a stunning early track of theirs, closer to "Mutant Moments" than "Non Stop Erotic Cabaret". From what is audible in the lyrics it's its own freak show, a bleak-ish, darkly humouristic ditty with s/m leanings (while musically nowhere near, it can be perceived as a prequel to a certain "Sex Dwarf").

The following two numbers remain the least convincing on the compilation; Neu Electrikk are trying hard to sound like Bauhaus - using similar sound tricks to achieve that effect in "Lust Of Berlin", a gimmick at best, with a pleasantly creepy atmosphere. Naked Lunch too, are rather unconvincing - the group's name itself carries a lot of promise but music wise it sadly don't deliver - it's too typical a track of its time; "La Femme" lets loose mercilessly and captures the ear, but by the time it clocks into mere two minutes, it becomes clear how short it is of its own idea. The lyrics aim at fashion victims but the story fails as too naive, making it the most tedious 5 minutes on the record.

The Fast Set save the situation, with a short yet very energetic number, whose only remark is, it's a cover version - albeit a good one; originally a T-Rex classic, "King Of the Rumbling Spires" provides a great deal within its couple of minutes. Pete Farrugia, the duo's then-guitarist and vocalist explained at one point the reason why they contributed with a cover version - they didn't trust Stevø (!). Stevø in return, while at first showing interest in managing The Fast Set, payed all his attention to Soft Cell leaving many others in the shadows and to their own devices. Interesting fact - The Fast Set already delivered a T-Rex cover version ("Children Of the Revolution", that is) for Axis (a pre-4AD label), on their lone 7" single, that label's very first release back in 1980. In later years, the line-up of Farruggia and David Knight (the other founding member) didn't release anything further, their demos only recently resurfacing on newer labels (such as Minimal Wave, if I'm not mistaken). In later years, both went separate ways, although appearing together in far more adventurous experimental collaborations (with Danielle Dax and Shock Headed Peters to name a few). In all, their contribution, while sadly not their original song, "King Of the Rumbling Spires" is a cute number gracing the ear, and especially feet to tap along. With The Loved One's "Observations" it gets weirder - adding to the lazy afternoon vibe, close to "Sad Day", except from a nightmarish angle. Not much is known of this lot but this is one of the finest moments on the compilation. Slow, edgy and pretty non-descript an experiment.

Again a sudden twist with the ear-friendly "Tidal Flow" by Illustration, a pleasant but somewhat bland new wave track, leaning on Ultravox's sound trademark (the melody slides and vocals in particular). Not entirely forgettable, but mainly a reminder when listened in the context of the very compilation, the poppiest moment of the lot. Depeche Mode's debut moment here may have ed at the time for just another novelty act, but knowing of the incredible leap forward and impact the group made not long afterwards, "Some Bizarre Album" is now obviously a piece of evidence, many will be curious enough to take a peek, especially at Depeche's humble moment. While its incredible documentary value cannot be underestimated, the "Some Bizarre version" of "Photographic" turned out to be more favoured these days, while in general - albeit catchy, it's still a pretty mediocre synth-track. The "Speak & Spell" version of the song suddenly experienced less exposure, while that one is the actual charmer with a punchier arrangement.

The The appear with confusingly "untitled" number, a far cry from what Matt Johnson made of the band in the (near) future. The legend says, Matt hates this piece to bits. Whatever possessed him (or the label) to include it here regardless, only adds to the notoriety and mystery of the track. Audibly a track that was never really finished - still there is a nice vibe to it; while it tends to sound dark, it's actually a funny little filler that works. Especially because of the repetitive, hypnotic bass line. The vocals do sound a bit annoying though - while not that audible in themselves, judging from the muffled vocal cut-ups, Johnson sounds frustrated and indifferent with the approach. "Moles", another take on the new wave trend - however, unlike Naked Lunch or Illustration, B-Movie do stand on their own feet here; "Moles" is unwilling to follow a particular formula although its production affects some of the edges and keeps it frozen in time, for timeless standards a rather dated track albeit with good intentions. Jell is another mystery act here, involving a certain Eric Random who is no mystery to those close to the likes of Cabaret Voltaire (also makes you wonder if Lynn Seed is linked with Richard H. Kirk). Whatever the guess, "I Dare Say It Will Hurt a Little" is among the compilation's finest moments - another slow, moody piece with deadpan yet seductive female voice and a nice dub vibe.

The closer "Central Park" is another humouristic experiment courtesy of Blah Blah Blah, another mystery group - if Monty Python ever chose to form a synth band, this would not be far from the idea. A story of a guy exposing himself in public, wearing weird clothes may be tricky to tell - but unlike "La Femme", Blah Blah Blah add a touch of humour to their own making, which works to great effect and makes this last number hugely enjoyable, despite one too many glitchy interferences along.