Tag: Closet 80S!

September 12, 2025

State Of The Art – Shout And Run (Germany 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In the late 1980s, Germany’s music scene had already become a vibrant melting pot of synths, glossy production, and sometimes melancholic vocals. Bands like State Of The Art may not have become household names globally, but within the synth-pop / new wave circuit, they crafted songs that captured both the energy and the restlessness of that time. One standout among their catalog is “Shout And Run,” released around 1988/1989.

Background: Who are State Of The Art

State Of The Art formed in the mid-1980s in Cologne. The core members included Stephan Koch (keyboard, vocals, production), Frank Schmitz (guitar, vocals), and Georg Koch (drums, programming).

They released a handful of singles: “Love Remains A Rebel” (1987), “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1988), and then “Shout And Run” toward the tail end of their activity before their disbandment/reformation under a new name (“Boys On Parade”).

The Song: Atmosphere, Themes, and Style

“Shout And Run” is built on the classic synth-pop foundation: synthesizers, upbeat drum machines, catchy melodies, and a blend of urgency and gloss that was characteristic of late ’80s pop in Germany (and elsewhere). The title alone suggests motion, tension, desire to break free (“run”) paired with a kind of confrontation or exclamation (“shout”).

Though full lyrics aren’t widely circulated, the song’s drift seems to contrast restlessness with a need for expression. The “shout” is a metaphor for being heard; the “run” implies escape or distancing. There’s something energetic—maybe even defiant—in that combination.

Chart Reception and Legacy

Though State Of The Art never released a full LP before their first disbandment, their singles had modest success in radio charts. “Shout And Run” came after “Love Remains A Rebel” and “Love Will Keep Us Together.” It was their third single and helped cement their place in the German synth/pop / radio music ecosystem of the time.

“Shout And Run” charted (Germany, radio) around #20 in early 1989.

Though the band would eventually change form (later becoming Boys On Parade) and evolve, songs like “Shout And Run” remain interesting touchpoints—they hint at what could have been had the band had more exposure, or had the LP followed through.

Why “Shout And Run” Matters

It encapsulates the tension of the era: between moving forward and being heard, between the synthetic and the human.
It shows how even bands without massive international fame contributed depth to the synth-pop movement.
For listeners today, it offers nostalgia but also relevance: themes of escape, expression vs suppression, urgency — those still resonate.

If you’re exploring the history of synth-pop, particularly in Germany, “Shout And Run” is one of those gems that’s worth rediscovery. It may not have topped global charts, but it’s part of the tapestry of that musical moment: electronic textures, emotional pulses, and a voice that wants to break through.

SIDE A:
Shout And Run (Pattern Event Mix) 5:34

SIDE B:
Shout And Run (Extended Mix) 5:00

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI Electrola – 1C 060-1 47417 6
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Germany
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Lyrics By – Stephan Koch
Music By – Henry Parlan, Stephan Koch, Ulrich Herter
Producer – Ulrich Herter

NOTES:
State Of The Art are: Frank Schmitz, Georg Koch, Stephan Koch
Made in EEC

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.

August 29, 2025

Charlie Sexton – Impressed (Canada 12″) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In 1985, 16-year-old Texas guitar prodigy Charlie Sexton released his debut album Pictures for Pleasure. Fresh out of the Austin music scene, Sexton had already built a reputation as a musician well beyond his years.

Following the success of his debut single “Beat’s So Lonely,” which reached #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became an MTV staple, MCA Records issued “Impressed” as the album’s second single. While the track carried the same glossy production and atmospheric charm, “Impressed” unfortunately failed to chart.

Produced by Keith Forsey (Billy Idol, The Breakfast Club soundtrack), “Impressed” leans heavily into the mid-80s new wave/post-punk hybrid sound. With moody guitars, layered synth textures, and Sexton’s deep, mature-sounding vocal delivery, the song seemed tailor-made for radio and MTV rotation. The 12″ single featured extended and dance-oriented versions that gave the track a club-ready edge, contrasting the darker rock tones of the LP.

**As a bonus track, I have also included the 7″ Remix, which I transferred from the US promo 7″ single.

SIDE A:
Impressed (Mixed Impressions) (Extended Dance Remix) 6:19
Engineer [Remix] – Dave Concors
Remix – Arthur Barrow

SIDE B:
Impressed (Wanna Bet Dub) 7:26
Engineer [Remix] – Steve Parker (2)
Remix – Charlie Sexton, Steve Lillywhite

BONUS TRACK:
Impressed (7″ Remix) 3:45
Remix – Charlie Sexton, Michael Frondelli, Steve Lillywhite

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – MCA-23622
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: Canada
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic. Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer – Keith Forsey
Written-By – R. Wilson*, S. Krikorian*

NOTES:
Original version appears on the Charlie Sexton album “Pictures For Pleasure”

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.

August 20, 2025

Partland Brothers – Soul City (US 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Hitting That Sweet Spot of Pop-Rock

In 1986, The Partland Brothers—Chris and G.P.—emerged from Colgan, Ontario, into the bigger world of Toronto’s music scene. Their debut album Electric Honey featured “Soul City,” an anthemic pop-rock track that became their defining moment, earning a spot in the Top 30 in Canada and climbing to No. 27 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100—making them true bona fide chart-hitters from the get-go.

Harmony & Production Worthy of Righteous Praise

What set “Soul City” apart was the duo’s intoxicating close-harmony vocals—drawing frequent comparisons to a modernized version of The Righteous Brothers. The production by Vini Poncia (known for working with McCartney, Lennon, Kiss, and more) polished the sound to gleaming perfection, ensuring their launch had all the hallmarks of a major new act.

Lyrics That Breathe Freedom and Adventure

At its heart, “Soul City” is about breaking free from the mundane—the thrill of the unknown. Lines like:

“Soul City, that’s where we’re heading
Dancing and singing ’til dawn…”

…paint a vivid picture of escapism, nightlife energy, and living without boundaries. The song urges listeners to step “into the moonlight,” chase the setting sun, and discover that state of mind—someone’s own Soul City—full of euphoria and possibility.

From Contest Winners to International Stages

Before the breakthrough, the brothers honed their chops in bands like Oliver Heaviside and even won the Q107 radio station’s Homegrown contest in 1983—an early spark that lit their path to Capitol Records in 1985. Following the release of Soul City, they toured with legends like The Moody Blues and The Beach Boys, and graced TV stages like American Bandstand and The Late Show with Arsenio Hall. They were also recognized at home with a Juno Awards nomination for Most Promising New Group in 1987.

A Brief Blaze, with Enduring Echo

Though “Soul City” remains their singular U.S. chart entry, its success opened doors—yet management setbacks delayed follow-ups. They released a handful of albums afterward (including Between Worlds in 1990 and Part Land, Part Water in 1993), but none reached the same heights.

Even so, the Partland Brothers persevered: backing music legend Ronnie Hawkins on stage and continuing to create and perform—even amidst personal challenges, like G.P.’s accident in recent years.

Final Thoughts

“Soul City” encapsulates that irresistible 1980s spirit—hopeful, escapist, and dance-fueled. With soaring harmonies, infectious rhythms, and lyrical zest, it’s not just a song—but an invitation: chase your soul’s ideal city, wherever music and freedom roam.

Whether you’re revisiting this gem or discovering it anew, “Soul City” stands timeless—for those who long to dance until dawn, live beyond the lines, and dare to follow the lights into the next great adventure.

SIDE A:
Soul City (Remix) 7:23

SIDE B:
Soul City (Instrumental) 6:12
Soul City (Single Version) 3:52

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1987	Soul City	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#27

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Manhattan Records – V-56060
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Composed By – Chris Partland, G.P. Partland
Producer – Vini Poncia
Remix – Bruce Forest (tracks: A), Frank Heller (tracks: A)

NOTES:
From the Album, Cassette & Compact Disc “Electric Honey”

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.

May 15, 2025

Sarah McLachlan – Vox (Canada 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Before she became an international icon of emotional, ethereal pop, Sarah McLachlan made her first bold statement with “Vox,” the debut single from her 1988 album Touch. Released in Canada via Nettwerk Records and later in the U.S. through Arista, “Vox” introduced a uniquely expressive voice and a lush, atmospheric sound that hinted at the brilliance to come.

A New Voice in Canadian Music
“Vox” (Latin for voice) marked the world’s first glimpse of McLachlan’s signature blend of poetic introspection, layered production, and soaring vocals. Written by McLachlan herself at just 19, the song blends new wave, pop, and subtle hints of folk, creating a dreamlike soundscape that would later define her career.

The original Touch album was produced by Greg Reely and Terry McBride (co-founder of Nettwerk), but an alternate U.S. version featured new mixes and a fuller sound, courtesy of famed producer Pierre Marchand, who would become her longtime collaborator.

Chart Performance and Reception
While “Vox” didn’t initially chart in the U.S., it performed modestly in Canada, reaching the Top 100 and building McLachlan’s reputation as a rising alternative artist. Over time, it became a cult favorite and a staple on Canadian alternative and college radio in the late ’80s.

Its accompanying music video — filled with shadowy lighting and surreal imagery — helped expand her profile during the early days of MuchMusic and MTV’s alternative blocks.

Legacy
Though it didn’t become a breakout hit, “Vox” is essential listening for fans of McLachlan’s work. It serves as a time capsule of late ’80s alternative pop and a blueprint for the emotionally charged, sonically rich music that she would later perfect on albums like Solace (1991) and Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (1993).

In retrospect, “Vox” stands as a powerful opening statement — raw yet elegant, and full of promise. It’s not just the beginning of McLachlan’s recording career; it’s the origin of a voice that would define a generation of introspective pop music.

SIDE A:
Vox (Extended Remix) 6:58

SIDE B:
Vox (Radio Mix) 4:21
Vox (Dub) 5:47

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Nettwerk – NT12 3023
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Canada
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Bass – David Kershaw
Drums – Ross Hales
Edited By – George Maniatis, Greg Reely
Guitar [Electric] – Stephen Nikleva
Guitar [Slide] – Kevin Kane
Keyboards – Darren Phillips
Producer – Greg Reely
Written-By, Vocals, Guitar [12-string], Keyboards – Sarah McLachlan

NOTES:
The four-point MAPL icon (Music, Artist, Performance, Lyrics) indicates 100% Canadian Content (CanCon).

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
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.