The depth and seriousness of the subject matter is playfully dealt with but with a dark and brooding side glance. The tracks are vintage synth pop that drips with a crisp cleverness, a quality that runs throughout Oppenheimer Analysis’ material.
[Purchase] Oppenheimer Analysis (OA) are a group at the heart of the minimal synth revival. In 1982 the duo of Andy Oppenheimer and Martin Lloyd put out New Mexico, a self released tape of twelve synth tracks which was sold over the next couple of years at gigs and the like. It was this twosome, and four tracks from New Mexico, that Veronica Vasicka chose to launch her Minimal Wave label in 2005. It was a prolific year for the duo, with New Mexico getting a CD re-release alongside Der Wissenschaftler EP and Songs of an Atomic Age. But since then, releases have not materialised. OA have performed a handful of gigs but tracks have been few and far between apart from a 7” by Lloyd. But, fresh from the HQ of Signals comes the return of Oppenheimer Analysis with Science/Washington to adorn ten inches of vinyl.
The A-Side is dedicated to “Science.” The track is quintessential OA. The vocals echo the age old uncertainty of science and progress, with Andy Oppenheimer questioning improvements to a tight and parred back melody. The cold and calculated vocals work perfectly with the unimposing synth and slight beat. The discussion and investigation continue on the B-Side with “Washington.” The formula is again classic Oppenheimer Analysis. This time it is US power that is under the microscope, analysed, evaluated but never judged; suggestion is the aim. The track feels more modern, perhaps made on newer machinery, but the synth wave presence and deceptive simplicity is ever pervasive.
I actually saw Martin Lloyd recently, bopping away to Veronica Vasicka at a Minimal Wave night in Manchester; think I chatted with him about this 10”, but must admit the night is a tad hazy. Hopefully I let him know how good this record is. It hits all the right chords. The depth and seriousness of the subject matter is playfully dealt with but with a dark and brooding side glance. The tracks are vintage synth pop that drips with a crisp cleverness, a quality that runs throughout Oppenheimer Analysis’ material. Well done to Signals for getting these guys back to releasing form, and fair play for already diversifying their musical range. Fingers crossed Science/Washington means more to come from this synth pop twosome very soon.
Science/Washington is out now on Signals. [Purchase]
[SIG.MMXI.III] Oppenheimer Analysis – Science/Washington by signalsmmx
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