And Then There Was New Wave 2

Guest blogger Richard continues his Belgian New Wave topic: 

The first collection focused on EBM and New Wave Synth. Part 2 leans more toward power pop. Catchy songs, and even a few classics. The biggest hit is undoubtedly “You” by Scooter. A song that was so well-received that people could hardly believe it was an original Belgian production. In the accompanying TV clip, the mischievous interviewer asks if they aren’t often confused with that band from Chicago.

Another notable song is Pas-De-Deux’s Eurovision entry, which raised quite a few eyebrows because of its lyrics. An extremely groovy piece of music, two charming singers—but those lyrics. I’ll quote them in full so you can form your own opinion: “Rendez-Vous, But I’ve Had Enough, And My Head’s Full.” In the end, it placed 18th with 13 points… 40 years later, we still remember it.

The songs are performed in French, German, Dutch, English, and Spanish; most artists perform their own songs, but there are also a few covers, including Polyphonic Size’s quirky “Mother’s Little Helper.”

This selection showcases New Wave in all its forms: Goth (Amore Di Amore), EBM (Neon Judgement, Happy Hunting Ground), Funky Pop (Lavvi Ebbel, Nacht Und Nebel), Rock (Red Zebras, De Kreuners), Lounge (even though that term didn’t exist back then) (Bernthöler), Fun Punk (The Scabs), Fun Funk (Arbeid Adelt), Pure Pop (The Strings, The Bet), Synth-Pop (Schmutz, Parade Ground, 1000 Ohm), and more. Download it and see how a small country like Belgium can be so big.

Once again, all credit goes to Kristof Michiels, who put together the two TV shows and also released a triple LP featuring only four songs in common. It doesn’t look like there’s any other way to listen to these compilations besides through my administrative contribution. 

A few more minor points

Normally, Koen wants each item to be CD-length. That didn’t work out this time—it’s about 100 minutes per compilation.

And finally, the most beautiful girl in Belgium with the very most beautiful song from Belgium: a cover of a Serge Gainsbourg song that, reportedly, Gainsbourg himself considered one of the best covers of one of his own songs. 

“Big” names—and artists you won’t find listed here but who are definitely worth mentioning—include The Kids, The Machines, Lio, Raymond, Telex, Vaya Con Dias, Won Ton Ton, Paranoiacs, Erotic Dissidents, Isabella Antenna, K’s Choice, La Muerte, and one of Belgium’s grandmasters of modern composition—even though that might seem to have nothing to do with New Wave: Wim Mertens.