As the synthesizer evolved so did the Pauly brothers’ sound. Likewise, the influences of groups like Fad Gadget and Front 242 is etched in the duo’s compositions. The album is as much a history of new wave and EBM as it is a chart of Parade Ground’s subtly shifting music.
[Purchase] With the minimal synth resurrection there is one small nation that punches well above its size; Belgium. From the heartland of Europe came a plethora of synth wave during the 1980’s. Dark Entries have already recognised the contribution of Belgium to the scene, re-issuing EBM juggernauts Neon Judgement in 2010. But one record was never going to be enough to showcase Belgian wave. The San Francisco label has returned to Belgium, this time to the capital to bring a comprehensive collection of Parade Ground back to vinyl: The Golden Years.
Parade Ground are the brothers Jean-Marc and Pierre Pauly. They began their music career in their early teens, their taste and sound inspired by the likes of Kraftwerk and Fad Gadget. The twosome came from a similar angle to many new wave groups of the time, a social rejection alongside anti neo-liberalism. The brothers were attracted to the Dadaists, their energy and break from tradition. The Golden Years spans the cutting edge period of 1982-88, when these EBM siblings were pushing the boundaries of the wave scene. The compilation, which takes tracks from a spread of past 12”s, opens with “I Shut My Eyes.” The listener is transported back to the sounds of Joy Division as guitar angst and dry beats merge at a crossroads of despondent vocals. Parade Ground pour forth with the disenfranchised chant of the 1980s, ringing with hollowed out vocals. Synths arrive with “Retired,” analogue tones being utilised to create a new sense and atmosphere in the group’s sound. Chords rise and fall in “Moral Support,” the vocals of Jean-Marc spilling with a desperate plea for help. “Took Advantage” writhes with the loveless animalism of a J.G. Ballard sex scene, male and female vocals intertwining across the echoes of a Moog. As the compilation progresses the brother’s synth arsenal grows, with new sounds and tones springing forth. Both Jean Marc and Pierre are good friends with Front 242 and the latter’s synth and industrial influence is plain to see in the likes of “Gold Rush” which was produced by Daniel B. But, despite the call for chaos there are some pop elements embedded in Parade Ground. “Moans” (which Colin Newman of British post-punk band Wire produced) has a downtrodden catchiness to it,reminiscent of A Flock of Seagulls in some respects. The vocals still have the passion but soften in the later work, with the hooks adopting more memorable elements; as in the bitterly warming “Strange World.”
The Golden Years is a truly fascinating compilation. The collection not only maps the progression of Parade Ground, but is emblematic of the changes that went on in the new wave and EBM scene. As the synthesizer evolved so did the Pauly brothers’ sound. Likewise, the influences of groups like Fad Gadget and Front 242 is etched in the duo’s compositions. The album is as much a history of new wave and EBM as it is a chart of Parade Ground’s subtly shifting music.
The Golden Years is out now on Dark Entries. [Purchase]
Parade Ground – The Golden Years by darkentriesrecords
