Frogmania sees heavy hitters of the minimal scene sit side by side with newcomers. Downtrodden wave pulls up a seat next to Amiga inspired electronics—a stunning cross section of a fixating sound.
Reviewing records is a good gig—it keeps you up to date with music, and who doesn’t like getting packages in the post? Every once in a while an unexpected piece turns up. The address reads Germany. The record arts looks like a remnant of the UK Acid Rave scene. The title reads Frogmania. Turn the cover and all starts becoming clear.
This strangely festooned LP is the latest compilation from one of Germany’s premier purveyors of synth wave and electro pop, Plastic Frog Records. Label co-founder Klaus Weinrich, under his K.Rotte alias, opens with the abstract “Frogmania 1” before Kernkrach’s Gertrud Stein offers up some choice analogue sounds. Minimal Wave veterans Bal Paré dish up a euphoric piece of pop wave, brimming with thick synths. The unmistakable sound of ADN’ Crystall is turned down with an instrumental track. Up and coming synthesists dapple the LP. Relative Kalte, Brigade Rosse and Massendefect all give some superb outings. Another novice outfit, Held Der Arbeit, turn out a blinding piece of heavy wave, muscular minimal pop. Im Namen Des Volkes level the playing field with some subdued harmonics before The Rorschach Garden emit a catchy piece of quick paced analogue pop. For those of you quick off the mark, the nice people at Plastic Frog have included a bonus CD of more Korg, Roland and Moog material for the first 100 copies.
Frogmania sees heavy hitters of the minimal scene sit side by side with newcomers. Downtrodden wave pulls up a seat next to Amiga inspired electronics—a stunning cross section of a fixating sound. Think along the lines of Kernkrach, Astro Chicken and Minimal Wave. Slap on a black t-shirt, flick the hair and immerse yourself in these addictive hooks.
Frogmania is available on Plastic Frog.
