Burning The Ground Exclusive
Here’s another gem pulled from the Closet 80s — the 1987 debut single “Love Remains A Rebel” by German synth-pop group State Of The Art.
Released on both 7-inch and 12-inch formats, “Love Remains A Rebel” arrived at a time when electronic pop was branching in many directions. The song carries that unmistakable late–’80s European sound: polished synth layers, dramatic vocals, and a driving programmed beat that made it an instant candidate for club play. Fans of Alphaville, Camouflage, and Cetu Javu will feel right at home here, though State Of The Art bring their own mix of cool detachment and melodic urgency.
The extended 12-inch version really lets the track breathe — the sequencers pulse, the synth lines shimmer, and the chorus grows more insistent with each repeat. While the single didn’t make much commercial noise on release, it has since become a sought-after find for collectors of obscure synth and minimal wave. Like so many Closet 80s tracks, it’s one of those songs that might have slipped past you back in the day, only to hit hard once rediscovered decades later.
What makes “Love Remains A Rebel” stand out is its balance of mood and movement — it’s brooding enough for the headphones but still danceable for the floor. A perfect example of the kind of overlooked 12″ that fueled the underground clubs of the era.
Do you remember this one from its original release, or is it a fresh discovery from the Closet?
SIDE A:
Love Remains A Rebel (Extended Mix) 5:04
SIDE B:
Fighting For Spaces 3:46
Love Remains A Rebel (7″ Version) 4:00
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Polygram – 888 490-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Germany
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Photography By – Thomas Reutter
- Producer – Ulrich Herter
NOTES:
Made In West Germany
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.
Many thanks for completing their (small) discography. It would have driven me crazy to find the remaining releases after hearing how excellent they are!
What a great song. This is perfect synthpop.
Thank you very much for sharing this!
Amazing! Thank you for sharing another Twelve-Inch by this fantastic band! They are really good. I’m flabbergasted that they weren’t more famous, considering that Polygram is not a minor label.
I know, Tim, I’ve thought the same thing! With Polygram backing them, you’d expect State Of The Art to have broken wider. They really had the sound and the production quality to stand alongside many of the bigger names of the time. Just goes to show how many great bands slipped through the cracks in the 80s.
I love this fresh discovery from the Closet! And I love the artist blocks that you so generously share with us collectors/purists!! I like this even more than their last single you shared with us. Thanks so much Paul, you fill in the gaps of this amazing decade of music!!
Thank you, Retro Hound! I’m so glad you’re enjoying this one — it’s always a thrill to shine a light on these overlooked treasures. Knowing that the artist blocks and full context mean something to fellow collectors and purists makes it even more worthwhile. Always happy to help fill in those missing pieces from such an incredible decade!
I agree with you, Retro! And I can’t wait to listen to the third 12″ … and I’m super curious as to what other gem is hidden in that closet!
THANK YOU AGAIN, PAUL!!!! Seriously though: How was this not absolutely huge at the time?!?! It seems to fit perfectly with the time, and I almost like this song even more than the first one you posted… and I really, really loved that one!
And to answer your question: This is absolutely new for me! I really appreciate you introducing us to “new” music and letting us re-live the 80s from a new angle!
That’s wonderful to hear! I love being able to share these kinds of discoveries — it keeps the 80s feeling fresh while giving us all a chance to experience the decade from different perspectives. Thanks for coming along on the journey!
You’re very welcome, Axel! I’ve asked myself that same question — it really does sound like it could have been a big hit in ’87. Sometimes timing and promotion just don’t line up, even when the music is spot on. I’m thrilled you’re enjoying this one even more than the first — that makes digging these out of the Closet all the more rewarding!
Hi Paul. You’re wonderful to give us another winning single by this band!! I love how you described the “balance of mood and movement” within the record. This genre needs to come back. What I wouldn’t give for Depeche Mode to revisit their synth pop roots. Bring back Alan and Vince to do one album. Maybe Paul, you posting tracks like this might be that gentle nudge to start this synth revolution again. Hey, a guy can dream! I love how you’re making me feel when it comes to music Paul!
Many thanks!!
Jeff ❤️
I agree with you 100% !!!! I wish they would bring this sound back, and I definitely wish Depeche Mode would go back to their old sound (around Black Celebration or Music For The Masses), even if just for one album! … like you said, Jeff: One can only dream!
By the way, I detect a slight resemblance in this song to Mark Hollis from Talk Talk!
Axel F80, Gosh, I love your enthusiasm! I love Burning The Ground so much because it gathers kindred spirits who are passionate about music! I am so pleased you are here with us to celebrate all the greatness of music from the 1980s through to some of the 90s and even take a trip through the late 1970s with that decade’s club music. I loved how you agreed with me about Depeche Mode, revisiting their roots, too. You’re a great person, I can tell! I have to give today’s track another listen to hear your Talk Talk reference! I hope… Read more »
OMG! You’re absolutely right about his voice! Incredible!!
Jeff
Right? It’s not too obvious but he’s got that soulful, but dark timbre! Man, I wish they had released a full album!
Jeff, thank you so much for the kind words! I completely agree — there’s something timeless about that perfect blend of mood and movement in synth-pop. Imagining Alan and Vince reuniting with Depeche for one more synth-heavy album gives me chills — what a dream that would be! Until then, I’ll keep shining a light on these hidden gems and sharing the music that still inspires that feeling. I’m so glad it’s connecting with you!