Suicide by Suicide

Punk and experimental minimalist electronica is an unlikely combination, even more so in 1977 when this was released. This was completely unlike anything else released at the time, except perhaps for some of the weird electronic stuff that Wild Willy Barrett was playing with. 

The songs are mostly short pieces, playing with repetitive beats, electronic effects and disturbing lyrics, with a prowling vocal style from lead singer Alan Vega that has been compared to Gene Vincent. So far, so weird, and then we get to Frankie Teardrop which is perhaps one of the most disturbing things ever committed to vinyl. It’s a ten minute concept piece apparently based on a true case of murder/suicide and improvised by Vega in the studio who appears to be channeling the spirit of a deeply disturbed individual. Yikes.

Not surprisingly this album wasn’t a mainstream hit, but it has been highly influential. I can hear direct links from this to the UK electronica scene with artists like Cabaret Voltaire and Throbbing Gristle. The unexpected yelps and dark themes were also an inspiration for Bruce Springsteen on his track State Trooper on Nebraska.

Not for everyone, but a phenomenal album nonetheless.

https://album.link/gb/i/1463179848