Description
#pelmel #vinyl #vinylrecords
Step into the mid-’80s with pel mel’s “Late, Late Show,” a collection of previously unreleased demos that showcases the band’s distinctive sound. Led by a captivating combination of LinnDrum beats, casual vocals, and exotic synthesizers, this treasure trove of tracks offers a haven for those seeking more experimental post-punk and twee pop in the spirit of Antena, Swell Maps, or Young Marble Giants.
As the only domestic signings to Factory’s Australian licensee label GAP Records, pel mel played a significant role in Sydney’s alternative music scene in the early ’80s. While their two albums have cemented their place in Aussie rock history, there was a hidden chapter waiting to be discovered. After completing their album “Persuasion” in 1983 and exploring a poppier sound, they embarked on a set of unconventional demos that were free from commercial pressures.
Now, these long-lost tracks have resurfaced, painting a complete picture of a band whose most vital material remained buried for decades. The lineup mirrors that of “Persuasion,” with Jude McGee taking the lead on vocals, accompanied by the band’s synthesisers, drum machines, occasional live drums, and guitars. The result is a captivating document of a band on the brink of an evolution that never fully materialized.
Known for bridging the gap between post-punk and emerging electro-pop sounds, pel mel’s “Late, Late Show” showcases their fascination with more esoteric electronic elements. “Love on a Funeral Pyre” channels the spirit of Antena’s enduring “Camino Del Sol,” with McGee’s charming and theatrical delivery complementing the band’s wonky LinnDrum beats and carnivalesque synths. It’s pop music stripped down to its essence. “Shipwrecked” delves further into Les Disques du Crépuscule territory, with plastic electro-samba grooves supporting McGee’s memorable vocals, while “Mr President” pays homage to the band’s earlier material, offering a lo-fi punk-funk experience reminiscent of Glasgow’s Orange Juice.
On the title track, pel mel reveals their keen study of the UK’s pop landscape, weaving reverberant John Foxx-esque synths around crashing snares and Factory-style basslines. More than just a collection of discarded demos, “Late, Late Show” embodies the essence of a classic album that never came to fruition.
Prepare to be captivated by pel mel’s hidden gems as they transport you back to the mid-’80s, immersing you in their unique blend of post-punk experimentation and infectious pop sensibilities. This is the ghost of an album that could have been, resurrected for your listening pleasure.
