This week’s update is cool because there are a couple of nice, high profile releases with some real quality tunes!  Even retro fans have something to get excited about with the collection of remixes of Blank & Jones tracks that feature folks like Robert Smith (The Cure), Bernard Sumner (New Order), and Claudia Brucken (Act / Propaganda).

NEW ARRIVALS:

Silica Gel “Apopcalipsis” $20 — The third album from the energetic, intense, and strong synthpop act from Spain.  This time the album is only available as an import and is ready to grace your collection with some of the best Spanish-language synthpop in the market.   Listen to the audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/SG-2012/Silica-Gel-Apopcalipsis

Blank and Jones “Mark Reeder Reordered” $18 — This is an excellent collection of new remixes produced by Mark Reeder, a man who has music production roots all the way back to the 70’s and 80’s.   You can pretty much pick all of the best Blank & Jones tracks from the last handful of years, all with awesome guest vocals, and present them new version heavily influenced by a blend of new wave.  You’ll find new versions of “A Forest” featuring Robert Smith (New Order), “Miracle Cure” featuring Bernard Sumner (New Order), “Unknown Treasure” featuring Claudia Brucken (Act, Propaganda), or “The Hardest Heart” featuring Anne Clark.  Some of the mixes are mellow and dreamy, while others are funky and club friendly.   It’s a great variety of moods and is probably my favorite collection of Blank & Jones tunes.  Order the import CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/SC0018/Blank-and-Jones-Mark-Reeder-Reordered

Assemblage 23 “Spark” (MCD) $8 — This is the new single from the futurepop super-star, Assemblage 23, featuring three versions of the new song, “Spark”, plus two bonus tracks!   This is the lead-in single to the new album which is coming soon!   See the tracks and order here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/MET611/Assemblage-23-Spark

Claire Voyant “Lustre” $15 — It has been a few years since the last album by Claire Voyant, and I’m happy the wait is over.  I’m a long time fan of dreamy-yet-dark ethereal music like classic This Mortal Coil or Cocteau Twins, and Claire Voyant fit nicely into the niche.   The great female lead vocals are accompanied by a blend of guitars and synthesizers for a lush, emotional sound.  Order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/MET610/Claire-Voyant-Lustre

Be sure to tune in to A Different Drum’s new music player by opening a window here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/Player/

It’s a great way to stay in tune with the new music that arrives week after week.
-Todd

Hello once again from A Different Drum!  It has been a busy week here with several new, exciting releases.   A lot of people have been grabbing the new Perfidious Words album.  I hope you’re enjoying it!  Erasure fans are also grabbing that cool “Erasure Club” CD.

Well, the highlight for this update is the latest new stuff from RUSSIA, including the new singles and album by Technology (Technologia).  One of the singles features Elegant Machinery…

NEW ARRIVALS:

Technology “Brave New World / Featuring Elegant Machinery” (MCD) $11 — This is a super-catchy synthpop hit, and the style fits perfectly for the guest vocals from Robert Enforsen of Elegant Machinery.   There are several cool remixes on this Russian import single, and this is the edition to get if you want it in English.  Listen to samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/PMR003/Technology-Brave-New-World-Featuring-Elegant-Machinery

Technology “Carrier of Ideas” (Deluxe CD+DVD) $22 — This is the deluxe edition of the new Technology album.  This band is arguably THE big synthpop act of Russia if you go back to the 80’s and 90’s.  They are like the Russian equivalent of Depeche Mode, and this new album is a big deal for the Russian synthpop fans.   The vocals are primarily in Russian, though very catchy even if you don’t speak the language.  This deluxe edition features unlisted bonus tracks, plus an extra DVD with video and other features.   You can listen to audio samples and order this item here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/PMR007PE/Technology-Carrier-of-Ideas-Deluxe-CD-DVD

Technology “Brave New World / Russian Edition” (MCD) $11 — This is the special Russian edition of the Brave New World single.  It features the original Russian language vocals (no Elegant Machinery) and has a lot of extra remixes, including extra versions of other album tracks.  See the track list and order here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/PMR004/Technology-Brave-New-World-Russian-Edition

Mechanical Apfelsine “Space Without End” $18 — Here is another cool Russian import, and this band sings in English (though with the strong accent).   It is a nice blends of a dark, melancholy voice, cool synths, and some danceable beats, very much like a lot of the German synthpop from the last 20 years.  Listen to the audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/SPR095/Mechanical-Apfelsine-Space-Without-End

Cosmic Intent “Collective Illusions” $16 — This European act plays electronic pop with a somewhat spacey, retro sound along with a melancholy vocal synthpop as well.   One thing that is fun about them is that they put some kind of music video presentation for pretty much every song on their album on Youtube (see http://www.youtube.com/cosmicintentmusic ).   Listen to audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/764013844037-3/Cosmic-Intent-Collective-Illusions

NeKrodamus “A Brave Dawn / With Bonus Tracks) $16 — This popular album by NeKrodamus sold out quickly and has now be re-released with four additional bonus tracks for the fans.  If you missed it the first time, check it out again.  You can listen to audio samples and order here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/TW1-28/NeKrodamus-A-Brave-Dawn-With-Bonus-Tracks

Anosphere / Alien Skin “Alien Skin Remix / Epsilon Hunter Remix” (12-inch vinyl) $11 — Those of you who are into the space synth scene know Anosphere well.   On this limited edition vinyl release, you can pick up a great remix of the song “Alien Skin” by the band Alien Skin (part of Real Life) as well as a new remix of one of Anosphere’s own tracks.  It’s a fun electronic music collectible!   Order it here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/NWRVL001/Alien-Skin-Anosphere-Alien-Skin-Remix-Epsilon-Hunter-Remix

M “Pop Muzik 30th Anniversary Remixes” $22 — Here is something strictly for the 80’s music collectors.  Most of you probably remember the one-hit-wonder called “M” that put out a song called “Pop Muzik”.   Well, it’s been thirty years, so here is a CD loaded with brand new remixes to bring back the hit.   There are thirteen versions for your enjoyment!  See the track list and order here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/EB075/M-Pop-Muzik-30th-Anniversary-Remixes

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for your much appreciated support!
-Todd

This is Todd at A Different Drum.  I know I already sent one update this week, but a huge box just showed up from Europe, loaded with some new releases that I know you’ll be excited about.   From Erasure to Perfidious Words, there’s some good stuff here.

Just to remind you, there are still some GREAT package deals available if you’d like to stock up on music for yourself or for your friends.  You can see the CD bundles here :

http://www.adifferentdrum.com/packs.php

If you are thinking ahead for birthday or holiday gifts, be sure to check out that Spread the Love Package which will load you with compilations to keep and give away.

NEW ARRIVALS:

Erasure “Erasure Club” $12 — I’ve heard that this might be the beginning of a series of rare and remastered tracks for the fans.  This CD features some cool remixes of old classic tracks like “Push Me Shove Me”, “Sometimes”, “Ship of Fools”, etc.   You can see the complete track list and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/ERAS1CD/Erasure-Erasure-Club

NOTE:   Any ERASURE CLUB CD ordered can be shipped with a the Fantazja “Sing This Song” CD if you simple enter the word FANTAZJA in the notebox during checkout.

Frozen Plasma “Tanz die Revolution / International Version” $12 — There is no doubting that Frozen Plasma is becoming one of the big names in the synthpop and industrial dance scene.   There were already sold-out releases of both the “Tanz die Revolution” and “Earthling” CD’s, but now we have another CD that has new mixes of both songs, including the new Spanish language edition of the title track featuring vocal contributions by State of the Union and the Italian version featuring Syrian!   This undoubtedly will be another sold-out single in a few weeks.   See the track list, listen to samples, and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/FACT3119/Frozen-Plasma-Tanz-Die-Revolution-International-Version

Perfidious Words “Feel Like Me” (CD+DVD) $20 — Anybody who has become a fan of Perfidious Words over the years knows one thing for sure– these guys are the ultimate Depeche Mode clone band.   As much as that description may be used in this scene, and as much as there are similarities between many current bands and those 80’s pioneers, I think it is safe to say that Perfidious Words comes the closest to BEING Depeche Mode.  In fact, you might just feel better about things if you called it a secret side project of DM.   If you are at all displeased with recent DM efforts, you may even find that picking up an album like this new Perfidious Words feels like the DM album you really wanted.  The only down side is that Perfidious Words takes even longer to crank out albums than Depeche Mode.  Anyway, this new album comes with a bonus DVD packed with live videos and extras.   See the track list, listen to the audio samples, and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/TRI344cd/Perfidious-Words-Feel-Like-Me-with-DVD

Pandique “In Sturm Und Leben” $20 — Here’s another new offering from the German synthpop / industrial dance underground.  With dark-tinged vocals and heavy beats, it fits right in with a lot of the dark synthpop sound that comes out of Germany.   There is a mix of English and German lyrics from song to song.  You can listen to audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/BM09C242/Pandique-In-Sturm-Und-Leben

Division Kent “Gravity / Special Edition 2CD” (2CD) $22 — This is a cool European act that combines electronics, a few acoustic elements, and a great breathy, female vocalist for a sound that can run the gamut from ethereal to poppy.  They’ve been around for a while, but haven’t had a lot of attention in the synthpop market, where they fit in rather nicely.   This special edition features a bonus disc packed with danceable mixes that makes the music even more club friendly.  Check out the audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/BM09C243/Division-Kent-Gravity-Special-Edition-with-Remixes

Sell System “Red Room” $20 — This is perhaps the unexpected surprise of this update, simply because they are a new band that I haven’t heard of before.   Though some of the tracks sound a little rough around the edges, they have a strong presentation.  Some songs have more of that Depeche Mode influenced sound, while others push into a more modern futurepop vibe.   You can listen to audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/BR01/Sell-System-Red-Room

Autodefeh “Re:lectro” (CDEP) $14 — This mini-album features seven tracks of dark synthpop and old-school EBM that fits in with the older Front 242 sound.  Dark vocals and pulsing beats with those driving bass-lines that keep it going.   You can listen to audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/SIGCD006/Autodafeh-Re-Lectro

Various Artists “Septic VIII” $20 — This is the next in a series that many of us thought was over, since the label quit for a while due to the unfortunate impact of illegal downloading.   But the label is back, and thus we get volume 8 in this popular industrial dance series.  It has many exclusive remixes and dance versions of bands like Mesh, Informatik, Biomekkanik, Edge of Dawn, and more, including several newcomers.   See the track list and order here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/MIND136/Various-Artists-Septic-VIII

DE/VISION FANS:   I just got a few copies of the long out-of-print European limited edition 2CD of De/Vision “Devolution” in stock.  The bonus disc has some of those cool extra tracks and it’s simply fun to have in your collection if you don’t have it already.  Even the regular US edition has been out-of-print for more than a year, so this is a lucky find.  Order it here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/74321-982792/De-Vision-Devolution-Limited-Edition-With-Bonus-Disc

Have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks for all you do to keep this scene alive!
-Todd

Hello, this is Todd at A Different Drum.  I thought I’d celebrate my Labor Day holiday by working.   Yep, there’s always something to do

Last week was one of those weeks, if you know what I mean.  We found out that my handy Venture mini-van needs a new catalytic converter, which will cost a few hundred dollars.  See the red van in this short film made by my son:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Inp5cHsvajQ

Then yesterday my son’s laptop died.  Since he goes to a technology high school, it is something of a necessity, so we have to find a way to get another.   Thus, we find ourselves short once again.

Why do I tell you these things?  Well, by now, you know I live financially “on the edge” while keeping A Different Drum alive and have to cross my fingers every week to pay the bills.  So, now that I have to come up with a couple extras, I have to do some kind of sale to trade some inventory for the cash needed to fix the car and buy a laptop.   Hopefully, that’s a good thing for you because you can pick up some good deals.

Here are some deals I have to offer this week which I hope you’ll take advantage of…

WONDERLAND RECORDS EXPLORER - $22
Check out some of the great synthpop acts on Sweden’s Wonderland Records label, including Thermostatic, Universal Poplab, and Emmon. These are all catchy, fun singles and albums, well worth the price!
See what the package includes and order it here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/packs.php#anchor21

SPREAD THE LOVE PACKAGE - $40
This package deal helps you pick up a bunch of compilation CD’s at a great price to share with your friends. You don’t just get music for yourself, but two of each item, so you can pass the love on to people you care about. Help break their addiction to rock, country, and rap music!
See what the package includes and order it here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/packs.php#anchor22

THE LATEST AND GREATEST FROM A DIFFERENT DRUM - $26
Check out the latest releases from A Different Drum’s label without paying a large price. Get some great new music by bands like Disreflect, Endless Shame, Saudade, Neuroactive, Midnight Resistance, and more!
See what the package includes and order it here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/packs.php#anchor23

NEW ARRIVAL:

Sybel “Senses” $12 — This new release from Section 44 Records is from a band with roots in Costa Rica.  They play a nice blend of uptempo and melancholy synthpop with a lot of the traditional moods lifted from the 80’s.  I can also hear those darker Depeche Mode influences from time to time.  Listen to the audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/SEC-026/Sybel-Senses

PLUS:  If you order the new SYBEL CD from A Different Drum’s homepage, feel free to pick up a free CD single by adding a note in the “note box” during checkout.  All you have to do it include the name of ONE of these releases which you’d like to add, and I’ll put it in the package:
DISREFLECT “REST”
SAUDADE “LIKE YOU”
WAVE IN HEAD “I HATE TO BE IN LOVE”
FANTAZJA “SING THIS SONG”

Just pick one of them, copy-and-paste it into the note box during checkout if you are buying the SYBEL album.

Also, be sure to check out the usual $3 discount store here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/threedollars.php

Thanks for your support!
-Todd

Hello once again from A Different Drum, where I’m always digging up the latest new releases from the synthpop / electro pop underground for your enjoyment!  Let’s take a look at some of this week’s new arrivals…

NEW ARRIVALS:

Haberdashery “Valence” $8 — This is the fifth release from this cool synthpop act.  One of those previous releases is a selection of cover tunes from Erasure, and that perfectly illustrates Haberdashery’s musical influence.   This album is packed with cheerful melodies, light synthesizers, and a strong lyrical focus on the high emotions of love.  Listen to audio samples and order this affordable CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/88450119330-6/Haberdashery-Valence

Dreamtime “Farout” $15 — Spacesynth– one of the micro-genres for electronic music seems to be thriving these days, thanks mostly to the efforts of the new record label, Space Sound Records.    Here is their next release featuring danceable, bubbly, sci-fi tinged, mostly instrumental synthpop music from the band Dreamtime.  Any vocals are thickly layered in robot effects and the melodies are carried by the synths.   Check out audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/SSR00011/Dreamtime-Farout

Toxic N Blue “Into My Memory / Ship of Martyrs” (CDR) $8 — Here is a new release from the German synthpop underground and at moments it makes me think of a return of Beborn Beton.   There are four versions of “Into My Memory” plus three versions of “Ship of Martyrs” which also features Joke Jay (from And One) as a guest.  You can listen to audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/047SEE/Toxic-N-Blue-Into-My-Memory-Ship-of-Martyrs

Red Industrie “Ciencia Ficcion” $15 — Advanced Synergy Records in Mexico continues to build their roster of releases under their own “futureclash” banner, featuring thumping beats, minimal yet harsh electronics, and talky vocals.  It’s a unique cross-over of several electronic music styles, from mainstream house and trance to industrial, to electro clash.  Anyway, you can listen to the audio samples to hear it for yourself, then order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/ADV022/Red-Industrie-Ciencia-Ficcion

OK, new tracks from these four releases have been added to the radio player for you to check out:

http://www.adifferentdrum.com/Player/

NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT FROM PROVISION:

Friday - September 25th 2009 @ Scout Bar - San Antonio, TX

Provision returns to one of their favorite cities
- San Antonio, Texas - for a night of Industrial Rock and Synthpop!!

with
The Hunger
Christopher Anton (Former Lead Singer for Information Society)
DJ Hans 242,
and Erase The Virus

This Event is 18 & Up - Doors Open at 8:00 pm!!!

@ Scout Bar
19314 US Hwy 281 N. Suite 110
San Antonio, Texas, 78259
210-494-7700
http://www.scoutbarsa.com

NO COVER for 21 & Up and $1.00 Drafts till 10:00 pm

Provision opens the event and will be going on stage at 9:10 PM
so please arrive early to watch Provision set this event off!!!

That’s all the news for this week.    Thanks for your support!
-Todd