New Wave Outpost Forum

http://www.classicpopmag.com/2014/12/bl ... ake-fifth/

"Semi Detached", UK synth-pop icons' fifth studio album will be released on March 23rd 2015.
Singer Neil Arthur recorded it all by himself as keyboardist Stephen Luscombe has longterm health problems.
The album will contain 10 tracks including a cover of Can's 1976 classic song "I Want More" and the instrumental "MKS Lover", with the first single "Paddington" out two weeks earlier.
Guests include Kate Bush's guitarist David Rhodes, while the self-produced album was mixed by Babyshambles producer Adam Fuest.
Blancmange released their last studio offer "Blanc Burn" in 2011. It was their first studio release in 26 years.

Thanks for the heads up--- This will definitely be on my need to buy March next year list along with Marc Almonds -The Velvet Trail -- LP

BLANCMANGE – SEMI DETACHED is OUT!!!
23 March 2015 on Cherry Red Records.



Thanks everyone - the reaction to the album has been fantastic and very encouraging so far. Semi Detached is available in 4 formats - Double Deluxe CD, Single CD, Vinyl LP and Digital Download. We're glad to report that the issues with iTunes have been resolved and also if you are interested in the Double CD Deluxe we've noticed it's just been discounted by Amazon.co.uk - to the price of the single CD. Not sure how long the offer will last!!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Semi-Detached-B ... blancmange

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i've ordered the deluxe 2cd version, waiting for it to arrive.

later
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Their previous, comeback album has been very so-so. But this one is great! They really did an excellent album this time! I can do without the Can cover, but otherwise it's nearly flawless. I can even go as far as to say it's close to be their best. They seem to have used old analogue synths and the sound is very pleasant. The singing is strong and controlled and the songs, almost all of them, are inviting. "Deep in the Mine" is outstanding, very haunting. An instrumental, "MKS Lover", is full of those analogue synth sounds, which is always a good thing. Overall a jolly good album and a true comeback of Blancmange!

It's especially pleasant to say because I didn't expect anything, in fact I feared it could be a disappointment. But it's not. I heartily recommend it to all!

I got this in the mail yesterday and listened to it today. I agree it is an excellent album- there are so many excellent songs on both the album and the bonus disc -- it is mnadatory to get the 2 disc version. The only downside I have to say about the album is the production has an unpolished demo feel. This album was self produced and I tdo hink this release could have benefited more by utilizing a Flood, Price, or one of these 80's minded DJ's p production. If you listen you can hear in some songs areas where it needed some transition fill (i.e. vocal/music seperation).
Putting that aside I feel this is a substantial blancmange release and agree that it is better than "Blanc Burn" and a crucial purchase for 80's new wave lovers for 2015.

Passing_Stranger wrote:Their previous, comeback album has been very so-so. But this one is great! They really did an excellent album this time! I can do without the Can cover, but otherwise it's nearly flawless. I can even go as far as to say it's close to be their best. They seem to have used old analogue synths and the sound is very pleasant. The singing is strong and controlled and the songs, almost all of them, are inviting. "Deep in the Mine" is outstanding, very haunting. An instrumental, "MKS Lover", is full of those analogue synth sounds, which is always a good thing. Overall a jolly good album and a true comeback of Blancmange!

It's especially pleasant to say because I didn't expect anything, in fact I feared it could be a disappointment. But it's not. I heartily recommend it to all!

Personally I love "I Want More"

i got the 2cd set a week ago.

it's an average album.

the main problem is the first song : the fall
and the last song : bloody hell fire

are too long, and not that great, so the album doesn't start off well or end well.

yes, it has a good synth sound, but the lyrics aren't very 'blancmange' like.
i prefer the last album better.

the only song, that i think is good is : acid

the artwork is not very blancmange like, unlike the last album.

not releasing singles with mixes, and putting them all on the second disc, with no
other way of getting them is not that great either.

the mixes are not very creative. neither are the non album b-sides.
they just didn't work too hard creating these extra tracks.

i'm sure they spent a lot of time trying to get the album right.

but in the end, it just ends up being an average album, when it could have been
a lot better.

later
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