Sometime around the late 70s, certain bands became disillusioned with the commercialized route punk rock was heading in. From there, post-punk was born. Inspired by the energy and statement of their older sibling, they retained those aspects while becoming more open to experimentation. From weird production techniques to cues from philosophy and literature, a new breed sought to create a movement free from notions of what music should be.
Sonically, it used to be that post-punk and new wave were interchangeable terms, with the main difference having more to do with aesthetics. The former has since grown into its own, defined by an overall darker sound, eventually inspiring something even more sinister: gothic rock.
For this season’s Spindle Jam, we feature three records perfect for collectors looking to add some doom and gloom to their collection. If you’d like to see more, head on over to one of our stores and check out titles from the likes of Bauhaus, Gang of Four, and Television.
The Sisters of Mercy – First and Last and Always
It wasn’t until 1988, three years after the album’s release, that the band recouped its expensive production cost—estimated at £40,000, way more than the budget of an independent band at the time. From the opener alone, where bandleader Andrew Eldritch sings in a dreary tone, “Black, black planet,” you know this is a contender for darkest record of the era.
Limited Edition – Numbered; US 2011 – MOFI 1-006
A1 – Black Planet
A2 – Walk Away
A3 – No Time to Cry
A4 – A Rock and a Hard Place
A5 – Marian (Version)
B1 – First and Last and Always
B2 – Possession
B3 – Nine While Nine
B4 – Amphetamine Logic
B5 – Some Kind of Stranger
Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
No, this isn’t a t-shirt logo—it’s one of the most critically successful masterpieces of all time, inspiring the birth of similarly styled bands. Initially printed in a run of just 10,000 copies, the label didn’t put out any singles from it. In fact, the song that popularized its sales, “Transmission,” isn’t even on the album. Praised for its unconventional techniques and tragic lyricism, this was the only record released within frontperson Ian Curtis’ lifetime, before he resorted to suicide.
180g LP with textured sleeve; US 2015 – R1 465628
A1 – Disorder
A2 – Day of the Lords
A3 – Candidate
A4 – Insight
A5 – New Dawn Fades
B1 – She’s Lost Control
B2 – Shadowplay
B3 – Wilderness
B4 – Interzone
B5 – I Remember Nothing
The Jesus and Mary Chain – Psychocandy
This is one of the loudest records you’ll ever hear. Aside from being rooted in post-punk, this debut offering was also extremely influential to the formation of the shoegazing genre. Scathing walls of guitar feedback combine with pop sensibilities to create something that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
180g LP; US 2017 – R1 78059
A1 – Just Like Honey
A2 – The Living End
A3 – Taste the Floor
A4 – The Hardest Walk
A5 – Cut Dead
A6 – In a Hole
A7 – Taste of Cindy
B1 – Never Understand
B2 – Inside Me
B3 – Sowing Seeds
B4 – My Little Underground
B5 – You Trip Me Up
B6 – Something’s Wrong
B7 – It’s So Hard
If there’s anything you’d like, request/reserve for a copy here.
Words by Kurvine Chua