Tag: 1991

December 12, 2025

Army Of Lovers – My Army Of Lovers (US 12″) (1991)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Few groups in pop history have embraced flamboyance, camp, and sheer spectacle quite like Sweden’s Army Of Lovers. With their over-the-top visuals, theatrical flair, and maximalist approach to dance music, they turned pop into performance art. And if any track captures their essence, it’s undoubtedly “My Army Of Lovers.”

Originally released in 1990 on their debut album Disco Extravaganza, the song gained wider international attention with its 1991 single release tied to Massive Luxury Overdose. It’s the version most fans remember — the track that cemented Army Of Lovers as icons of European dance and queer club culture.

A Sound Made for the Dancefloor

“My Army Of Lovers” is pure early-’90s Eurodance at its most theatrical. The track layers swirling strings, a strutting bassline, and dramatic synths, over which:

La Camilla’s commanding vocals glide effortlessly,
Alexander Bard’s spoken interjections add theatrical weight,
And a production style that mixes disco, Hi-NRG, and classical touches creates a sound both ironic and irresistible.

Unlike much of the era’s dance music, which leaned heavily into house or techno, Army Of Lovers blended genres into something entirely their own. The result is a track that’s simultaneously playful, opulent, and utterly danceable.

The Magic of the 12″ Mixes

Like many of their singles, the extended versions of “My Army Of Lovers” elevate the song to new heights. DJs were treated to:

Expansive intros perfect for the club floor,
Extra layers of orchestration and percussion,
A hypnotic groove that keeps dancers moving,
And room for every dramatic flourish to shine.

It’s one of those tracks that demands the 12″ treatment — the more you stretch it, the more the drama and energy unfold.

Visual Spectacle

Army Of Lovers weren’t just musicians; they were living art. The video for “My Army Of Lovers” is a feast of Renaissance-inspired costumes, glittering excess, and high camp. Every frame is theatrical, every pose exaggerated — it’s pop as performance, executed with style and wit.

Legacy

While the group never achieved massive success in the U.S., their influence on European pop and dance music is undeniable. “My Army Of Lovers” remains one of their defining tracks, a celebration of glamour, individuality, and unapologetic excess. Three decades on, it still sparkles: a musical reminder that pop can be dramatic, daring, and delightful all at once.

SIDE A:
My Army Of Lovers (Concrete Ghetto Mix) 8:47
Remix, Producer [Additional] – Emil Hellman, StoneBridge

My Army Of Lovers (Pisces Atmosphere Mix) 5:23
Remix, Producer [Additional] – Dave Rendall*

SIDE B:
My Army Of Lovers (Nuzak Remix Club Edit) 6:27
Remix, Producer [Additional] – Nuzak

My Army Of Lovers (Pisces Stratosphere Mix) 5:50
Remix, Producer [Additional] – Dave Rendall*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Giant Records – 0-40068, Giant Records – 9 40068-0, Ton Son Ton – 0-40068, Ton Son Ton – 9 40068-0, Reprise Records – 0-40068, Reprise Records – 9 40068-0
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1991
Genre: Electronic
Style: Downtempo, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Backing Vocals – Ixi Qaxi
Drum Programming – Emil Hellman
Engineer [Assistant] – Per Adebratt
Keyboards – Tim Norell
Lead Vocals – La Camilla
Producer, Mixed By – Anders Hansson, Ola Håkansson, Tim Norell
Programmed By, Engineer – Anders Hansson
Recorded By [Additional Vocals] – JM Fax
Written-By – Hansson*, Bard/Oson/Norell*, Tyrén*

NOTES:
Some copies have pressing plant ID “E A S T” embossed on center label.

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.

December 11, 2025

Pet Shop Boys – Was It Worth It? (US 12″) (1991)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By the end of 1991, the Pet Shop Boys had firmly established themselves as synth-pop icons. Their first greatest hits compilation, Discography: The Complete Singles Collection, not only celebrated their decade-long run of chart-topping singles but also introduced two new songs: “DJ Culture” and “Was It Worth It?”. Released on 9 December 1991 by Parlophone, “Was It Worth It?” became the second and final single from the compilation, peaking at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart. While it ended a streak of 16 consecutive top 20 hits dating back to West End Girls in 1985, the song remains a standout for its reflective optimism and danceable production.

Recorded at Sarm West with production group Brothers in Rhythm, the song was a collaborative effort. Neil Tennant began writing “Was It Worth It?” before their fourth studio album, Behaviour (1990), and Chris Lowe contributed the memorable chorus. Steve Anderson of Brothers in Rhythm added a piano part that Tennant likened to Black Box’s 1989 hit “Ride on Time”. The track features a call-and-response format, with backing vocals from Tessa Niles, Carol Kenyon, and Ghida de Palma, giving it a layered, uplifting feel.

Lyrically, Tennant described the song as “a reaffirmation of the worth of love, an ‘I am what I am’ sort of song.” He called it “a very gay song. Very gay positive. It’s basically saying: if I had to do it all again, I wouldn’t change a single thing.” Its upbeat message and celebratory tone make it one of the Pet Shop Boys’ most affirming singles, even if it didn’t achieve their usual chart success.

The B-side, “Miserablism”, produced by Harold Faltermeyer and mixed by Julian Mendelsohn, was originally intended for Behaviour but was removed late in the album’s process. Meanwhile, the single’s cover art is a charming nod to fan creativity: dolls of Tennant and Lowe crafted by Japanese fan Toshima Tada, holding bouquets of red roses reminiscent of the Behaviour album cover. The 7-inch back cover featured yellow roses, while the 12-inch opted for a blue background.

The accompanying music video, directed by Eric Watson, embraced a playful, theatrical energy. Shot in a club setting, it combined footage of the duo performing at Heaven with scenes of a vibrant, drag-filled crowd. Inspired by films like Saturday Night Fever and Hairspray, as well as the moveable clubnight Kinky Gerlinky, the video showcased extravagant costumes, dance, and pure fun—Chris Lowe famously appears in a towering orange Kenzo hat, doing absolutely nothing while the rest of the club revels.

Although “Was It Worth It?” didn’t break into the top 20, it remains an essential part of the Pet Shop Boys’ catalog: a perfectly crafted, celebratory pop song that affirms love, identity, and the joy of dancing through life’s choices.

SIDE A:
Was It Worth It? (12″ Version) 7:12
Producer – Brothers In Rhythm, Pet Shop Boys
Remix – Pet Shop Boys

Was It Worth It? (Dub Version) 5:12
Engineer – Paul Wright
Instrumentation By, Programmed By – Philip Kelsey
Producer – Brothers In Rhythm, Pet Shop Boys
Remix – Dave Seaman, Philip Kelsey

SIDE B:
Miserablism (Electro Mix) 5:35
Producer – Harold Faltermeyer, Pet Shop Boys
Producer [Additional Production], Remix – Moby

Miserablism (Short Version) 4:11
Mixed By – Julian Mendelsohn
Producer – Harold Faltermeyer, Pet Shop Boys

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI Records USA – VNR-56243, EMI Records USA – VNR 56243
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1991
Genre: Electronic
Style: House, Techno, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design – Farrow*, PSB*, 3a*
Photography By – Robert Shackleton
Written-By – Pet Shop Boys

NOTES:
A2: Remixed for Creative Theives Conglomerate/DMC.

Printed in the U.S.A.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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.

December 10, 2025

Camouflage – Handsome (Germany 12″) (1991)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Today we’re stepping into an overlooked corner of early-’90s synthpop with “Handsome,” a track that deserved far more attention than it ever received. Released only in Germany as the second single from Camouflage’s 1991 studio album Meanwhile, “Handsome” marks a fascinating moment in the band’s evolution—one that often gets overshadowed by their late-’80s classics.

By the time Meanwhile arrived, Camouflage were already known for sleek, melodic synthpop craftsmanship, thanks to earlier hits like “The Great Commandment” and “Love Is a Shield.” But Meanwhile pushed them in a more organic, band-driven direction, integrating live instrumentation while still keeping their electronic backbone intact. “Handsome” sits right at the center of this stylistic shift.

Produced by a Synthpop Legend

A major part of what makes “Handsome” noteworthy is the involvement of producer Colin Thurston, whose résumé reads like a map of synthpop’s golden age. Thurston, of course, worked his magic on early Duran Duran, helped shape David Bowie’s landmark “Heroes”, and guided the earliest recordings of Talk Talk. His production touch on “Handsome” gives the track a polished, dynamic heft that blends Camouflage’s melodic sensibilities with the more muscular, rhythmic textures that defined early-’90s pop.

A Single That Slipped Through the Cracks

Despite its pedigree and strong production, “Handsome” ultimately failed to chart, making it one of Camouflage’s more obscure singles. Its limited German-only release didn’t help, but even so, it remains a gem for fans of the band and collectors of early-’90s synthpop. There’s an earnestness to the song—a push toward growth and reinvention—that reflects where Camouflage were artistically at the time.

The non-charting status doesn’t diminish its charm. If anything, it adds to the single’s cult appeal. It’s one of those tracks that rewards rediscovery, especially for listeners who enjoy the transition era between the analog synthpop of the ’80s and the increasingly hybrid sound of the ’90s.

Rediscovering Meanwhile Through “Handsome”

Revisiting “Handsome” today is a reminder that Camouflage were never content to simply repeat themselves. The band’s willingness to explore new textures, paired with Thurston’s experienced hand in the studio, results in a track that’s both quintessentially Camouflage and quietly adventurous.

If “Handsome” slipped past you the first time, now’s the perfect moment to give it a fresh listen. For fans of synthpop’s deeper cuts—and especially collectors of productions by Colin Thurston—this single is well worth pulling off the shelf again.

SIDE A:
Handsome (Psycho-Ray-Mix) 6:32
Instruments [Add. Instruments] – Ronda Ray
Mixed By – James Herter (2), Ronda Ray
Producer – Colin Thurston
Written-By, Composed By – Camouflage

SIDE B:
Love Is A Shield (12″ US Orbit Mix) 8:10
Engineer – Richard Dight
Producer – Axel Henninger*
Remix, Producer [Add. Production] – William Orbit
Vocals [Add. Vocals] – Sharon Musgrave
Written-By, Composed By – Heiko Maile, Marcus Meyn, Oliver Kreyssig, Peter Godwin

This Day 3:47
Producer – Colin Thurston
Written-By, Composed By – Camouflage

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Metronome – 867 495-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Germany
Released: 1991
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer – Camouflage

NOTES:
A) Mixed at Atlantis Studio.
B1) Mixed at Guerilla Studios.

Made in Holland.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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.

June 18, 2025

Army Of Lovers – Crucified (UK 12″) (1991)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Today’s Pride Month feature turns the volume all the way up with one of the most flamboyant, theatrical, and gloriously over-the-top dance anthems of the early ’90s—”Crucified” by Army of Lovers. Released in 1991, this iconic track is pure high-camp Eurodance bliss, complete with operatic vocals, pulsing beats, religious imagery, and tongue-in-cheek decadence. It’s not just a song—it’s a spectacle.

Led by the charismatic Alexander Bard, Army of Lovers brought androgyny, queer expression, and maximalist fashion to the pop stage at a time when very few acts dared to. “Crucified” became their breakthrough single, topping charts across Europe and becoming a beloved club staple in the U.S., particularly within LGBTQ+ circles. The track hit #6 on the U.S. Billboard Dance chart and has since become a cult classic.

With lyrics like “I’m crucified, crucified like my savior / Saintlike behavior, a lifetime I prayed,” the song blends religious melodrama with self-aware sensuality. It’s part satire, part celebration—winking at the sacred and profane with the same fierce energy. Its mix of Eurodisco, house, and choral elements creates something that feels both nostalgic and ahead of its time.

“Crucified” is Pride in sonic form: bold, unapologetic, theatrical, and impossible to ignore. It’s a song that demands you live out loud and without shame, even when the world tries to put you in a box.

💃 Whether you’re twirling in a club, voguing in your living room, or just need a reminder of how fabulous self-expression can be, this one is for you.

🎧 From Sweden with love, glitter, and subversion—Army of Lovers gave us an anthem that still feels like a revelation.

Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈

SIDE A:
Crucified (The Nuzak Remix) 8:04
Remix, Producer [Additional] – Nuzak

SIDE B:
Crucified (Yherushalaim Dub) 7:42
Remix, Producer [Additional] – Nuzak

Crucified (Radio Edit) 3:32

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1991	Crucified	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#6

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Ton Son Ton – SONL-17, Ton Son Ton – SONL 17
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1991
Genre: Electronic
Style: Euro House, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Backing Vocals – Erika Essen-Möller, Jean-Paul Wall, Katarina Wilczewski, Malin Bäckström, Rickard Evenlind*
Bass – La Camilla
Co-producer, Engineer – Per Adebratt
Computer – Alexander Bard
Executive-Producer – Ole Hakansson*
Film Director [Video Clip Directed By] – Fredrik Boklund, Martin Persson
Hair, Make-Up – Jean-Pierre Barda
Keyboards, Programmed By – Anders Wollbeck
Lead Vocals, Drums – Jean-Pierre Barda
Photography By – Carl-Johan Paulin
Producer – Alexander Bard, Anders Wollbeck
Promotion [Promotion Supervisor] – Jonas Holst
Sleeve, Design – Marie S-Wollbeck*
Stylist – Camilla Thulin
Vocals – Alexander Bard, Jean-Pierre Barda, La Camilla

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

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.