Units - Digital Stimulation

What: Really fun synthpunk with a lot of beeps and boops
When: 1980
Where: San Francisco, CA, USA
Who: 415 Records

This is great for running or pretending you're a robot.

Download.

Sparks - Selected Discography

Behold, one of the best kept secrets in music. Sparks are two brothers, Ron and Russel Mael, whom over the course of 40 years, have created some of the best albums and hits in the history of rock and pop.

Originating from Los Angeles, they were initially met with a very lukewarm reception. After one shot at a UK tour, they decided to stay because Americans just don't get it, man.

These are my personal favorites (for the time being) in chronological order:

 

Sparks - 1971

Originally a self-titled for their short-lived name, Halfnelson.

Delicious euro-pop/rock worship with a healthy amount of quirk and glam. If Roxy Music and Queen were to fuse, it would sound sort of like this, except neither of those bands had made a debut at the time.

Download.

Kimono My House - 1974

Considered their magnum opus to many. Due to their prolific and diverse discography, I can't honestly say the same. But nevertheless, this is clearly the go-to Sparks album and just about perfect.

Download.

Propaganda - 1974

A logical follow-up to Kimono and equally flawless throughout. "B.C." is one of my favorite songs in the whole world.

Download.

Indiscreet - 1975

A bit more piano-driven and ritzy sounding, mixed with more "classic" Sparks sounding songs.

Download.

No. 1 In Heaven - 1979

After a return to the US and putting out a few average albums with the whole "rock band" outfit, Sparks reboots and does away with session members to go fully electronic. Here they team up with Giorgio Moroder and spawn one of the most innovative synthpop records in history.

Download.

Angst in My Pants - 1982

This is the sophomore attempt with their new full band line-up. Much more synth-heavy and new wave. Probably the most Pitchfork-friendly.

Download.

I'll post more sometime.

Royal Headache - S/T

What: Garage punk with delicious pop hooks
When: 2011
Where: Sydney, Australia
Who: R.I.P. Society Records and What's Your Rupture?

Massively in tune.

Download.

Vagancy - Vagancy EP

What: Painfully raw, blackened Grindcore. Punk as shit.
When: 2010
Where: Argentina
Who: Ydnirgal Prods

This is one of my favorite pieces of pure intensity. You can only use "raw" or "filthy" so many times before they just become a formality, but Vagancy captures and embraces the aesthetic perfectly without relying on terrible production to achieve it. Best listened to at full volume.

Download.

Merchandise - Children of Desire

What: Synthpop
When: 2012
Where: Tampa, Florida, USA
Who: Katorga Works

I really dislike the new Blogger layout. Here's an album I like that you probably already have. There's going to be a lot of that here.

Once a hardcore band, now they have bedtimes and pleasant dreams.

Download.