Sparky debut-album from young Factory upstarts given 2013 upgrade on double vinyl and CD
9/10
Perhaps not a typical Factory act per se, The Wake sported a funereal name, if not (entirely) a repertoire to go with it. Formed of ex-Altered Images member Caesar and originally featuring Primal Scream's future polymath Bobby Gillespie, The Wake began life with a short, sparse single On Our Honeymoon on their own Scan 45 label, before being courted by New Order's manager Rob Gretton, issuing this atmospheric mini-album as a result, on both Factory and its Lowlands-based sister label, Factory Benelux.
At the time of its release in 1982, the music-press feigned indifference, bar one enthusiastic review in Sounds. Perhaps too delicate for fans of DIY indie scratch-funk and post-punk (there was a lot of it about, back then) or too dour for those already warming to the optimistic sound of the synth-pop underground (soon to be the mainstream), Harmony was and remains a rather lovely beast, albeit a little reserved in places.
Martin Hannett's right-hand man Chris Nagle governed the sessions and drew the shy Scots out of their shell somewhat, giving them impetus to produce the strident New Order-esque Favour and the bullish Testament. Lyrically simple, musically graceful and a potent mix of ankle-deep bass, glistening synths and Caesar's edgy guitar hooks with almost polite vocals, these two songs paved the way for their longer indulgences. The Old Men, Heartburn and the glorious Immaculate Conception (the reason I bought this album in the first place over 30 years ago), reveal a propensity to experiment a little and take their time, opting to use atmospherics to fill spaces, rather than cut songs short. Few bands were doing this at the time - PiL, 23 Skidoo and Section 25 spring to mind - although The Wake concentrated more on mood more than noodling for noodling's sake.
Other tracks on this 2013 dusting-down include extra-track Chance with its bonkers percussion and off-kilter drumming (it was intended as a try-out), a Peel Session from 1983 featuring two non-album tracks and a taster of the title-track from follow-up album Here Comes Everybody, plus both sides of the Scan 45 single and the expansive dub-fest that is the Something Outside 12". The accompanying booklet contains some cracking early photos, including one taken by Paul Slattery, featuring the 1983 line-up with Gillespie looking about 18 years old.
The new vinyl re-press comes in a super replica sleeve and is spread over two discs - you get the album (inc Chance), both sides of Something Outside and Peel Session tracks, as well as a download card. It's a beautiful thing.
Only the tentative nature of some of the material prevents this from getting a 10.
For more info on The Wake, go to LTM here or Factory Benelux here
To buy Harmony, go to Amazon here
For live concert details for The Wake, head to Allgigs here
9/10
At the time of its release in 1982, the music-press feigned indifference, bar one enthusiastic review in Sounds. Perhaps too delicate for fans of DIY indie scratch-funk and post-punk (there was a lot of it about, back then) or too dour for those already warming to the optimistic sound of the synth-pop underground (soon to be the mainstream), Harmony was and remains a rather lovely beast, albeit a little reserved in places.
Martin Hannett's right-hand man Chris Nagle governed the sessions and drew the shy Scots out of their shell somewhat, giving them impetus to produce the strident New Order-esque Favour and the bullish Testament. Lyrically simple, musically graceful and a potent mix of ankle-deep bass, glistening synths and Caesar's edgy guitar hooks with almost polite vocals, these two songs paved the way for their longer indulgences. The Old Men, Heartburn and the glorious Immaculate Conception (the reason I bought this album in the first place over 30 years ago), reveal a propensity to experiment a little and take their time, opting to use atmospherics to fill spaces, rather than cut songs short. Few bands were doing this at the time - PiL, 23 Skidoo and Section 25 spring to mind - although The Wake concentrated more on mood more than noodling for noodling's sake.
Other tracks on this 2013 dusting-down include extra-track Chance with its bonkers percussion and off-kilter drumming (it was intended as a try-out), a Peel Session from 1983 featuring two non-album tracks and a taster of the title-track from follow-up album Here Comes Everybody, plus both sides of the Scan 45 single and the expansive dub-fest that is the Something Outside 12". The accompanying booklet contains some cracking early photos, including one taken by Paul Slattery, featuring the 1983 line-up with Gillespie looking about 18 years old.
The new vinyl re-press comes in a super replica sleeve and is spread over two discs - you get the album (inc Chance), both sides of Something Outside and Peel Session tracks, as well as a download card. It's a beautiful thing.
Only the tentative nature of some of the material prevents this from getting a 10.
For more info on The Wake, go to LTM here or Factory Benelux here
To buy Harmony, go to Amazon here
For live concert details for The Wake, head to Allgigs here