(January 2010) After their prolonged hiatus, Sudeten Creche are getting back into releasing form. The success of their 7″ on Anna Logue and following the widespread acclaim that Are Kisses Out of Fashion received on Minimal Wave the duo are trying something new. Well not exactly something new, but new music. Their latest release, entitled A Kiss from the Creche, has been put out by the existing band members themselves: Mark Warner and Paul Carlin. So have the guys managed to keep a hold on what they had or has time not only eroded Visage’s visage but Suden Creche’s sound?
The EP opens with “Glorious Treason,” found also on the Wounds 7″. The track is classic new wave with a despondent monarchial twist. The chords border the lines of elation and desperation, circling desolation and abundance. The track is embedded with real political commentary, something rife in new wave but rarely seen in electronics today. “Blood on the Carpet” follows and it maintains the vintage alienated 80s sound. Strained synths and lost lyrics make it hard to believe that this track has been recently put together. All the elements of old are there, the only give away is the production quality which is without any aural intrusions. The tempo rises for “My Beloved” and a dancefloor aspect enters the EP. The beats are quick and even before arching synthlines are draped across them. Likewise, the vocals step up a gear whilst maintaining some of that Sudeten Creche disillusion. The chorus line sees the track transformed into a playful pop piece whilst keeping those lost sentiments. “Kolly Kibber’s Birthday” comes into being with a staccato synthline before vocals fall over the chords. The track is a take on Julian Cope’s original, transforming the guitars and heady lyrics of the 1984 version into a colder electronic composition. The EP ends with a remix of “Wounds” by A.W.o.L., a group with all the trappings of the 80s new wave but are in fact a contemporary product. Absent Without Leave (A.W.o.L.) have released on the likes of Hertz-Schrittmacher, but here lend their brand of synth pop to “Wounds.” The track brings a new pop edge to the original. The reverberating synthlines conjure up memories of Gary Numan on Top of the Pops and the brave age of electronic pop music. The track is packed full of addictive hooks and a snare line that lashes throughout, a real treat for any analogue junkie.
It is undeniable that new wave is back, or minimal wave as it is now being dubbed; the lines between the two seem almost non existent. In fact, the border between new wave and minimal wave appears to be popularity and obscurity. Sudeten Creche belong to both camps, releasing new wave for a minimal wave audience. These tracks are new, but have all the desperation and ideological idleness of the 1980s electronic sound. The only downside of this release is it is CD only. Hopefully next time Sudeten Creche will opt for vinyl, and anyone who hears this EP will hope there is a next time.
A Kiss from the Creche is out now in limited quantities on Carlin-Warner. [Purchase]
