This is Todd at A Different Drum and I just wanted to announce a Spooky Synthpop Sale for tonight until the 1st of November.  Get into the Halloween mood by picking up some CD’s you’ve been wanting!

There is a 15% discount which is applied during “checkout” after you’ve selected your CD’s.  The discount does not apply to new releases (items that have been in the store for 3 months or less).   So, pop on over to A Different Drum’s online store and do some shopping!
http://www.adifferentdrum.com

While you’re there, check out the popular “discount bin ” where I’ve added a few items into clearance.  These are items you can pick up before they’re sold out!
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/catalog/discount/

Also, it’s a great time of year to pick up a long-sleeved, black logo shirt from A Different Drum!   It will help you keep warm as the days get colder (at least here in the northern hemisphere).    Check out the selection of sizes here on the t-shirt page .
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/catalog/tshirts/

Also, as a little bonus, you can pick up the CDEP “Tief in der Nacht ” (Deep in the Night) by Das Merman for free just by adding it to your cart.   NOTE:  Don’t try to add a whole bunch of them into your cart because you’ll end up paying a lot of shipping and there is a limit to one per customer!
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/HECD1/Das-Merman-Tief-in-der-Nacht

COMING SOON:

Just to let you know, I’ll have the new CD’s by Rotersand and Mesh in stock next week!  Concerning Mesh, there is a limited edition import with extra-special packaging coming as well…just in case you are a collector who wants nothing less than the limited edition.   I’ll also have the new CD single of “Phantom Bride” by Erasure very soon, which coincides with their upcoming re-release of “The Innocents”.   So, watch out for those.   Follow A Different Drum on twitter if you want to know exactly when they arrive.

http://twitter.com/adifferentdrum

Thanks for your support!  It means a lot to me that I still have a few great customers to keep this business alive

-Todd

Good day to all of you out there in synthpop land!  hehe.  It is time to look at the items that have come into A Different Drum’s store during the last week.   Thankfully, that now includes the limited edition of the new Assemblage 23 album, since Metropolis Records has now decided to sell it to other stores.

NEW ARRIVALS:

Assemblage 23 “Compass” (limited edition 2CD) $16 — One of the biggest names in futurepop and dark synthpop is back with a new album, and this is the limited edition which feature bonus remixes!  If it is like the CD single for “Spark” then it won’t be around for long (I have a few copies of the now sold-out “Spark” still here, if you want to snag one).     See the complete track list for this edition and order it here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/MET627/Assemblage-23-Compass-Limited-Edition

A-Ha “Shadowside” (MCD) $9 — Like the last A-Ha single, this is more for collectors than for the music, since there are only two tracks:  Shadowside / Mother Nature Goes to Heaven.   You can watch the music video and order the single here if you’d like one while I still have a few:
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/06025272105-6/A-Ha-Shadowside

Blind Faith and Envy “Remixes and Rarities” (CDR) $14 — After three cool albums of dark synthpop with female lead vocals, this popular underground act has just released a collection of remixes and previously unreleased songs for the fans!   There are 17 tracks on this packed collection.  You can see that track list and order it here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/SER4/Blind-Faith-and-Envy-Remixes-and-Rarities

The Disco Boys feat. Midge Ure “The Voice” (MCD) $11 — This is a purely Euro-dance single with uptempo, mainstream dance beats and a catchy tune.  The fun part is that the vocals are performed by Midge Ure (Ultravox).   You can watch the video to hear the original version of the song and order this cool remix single here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/Super4040/The-Disco-Boys-featuring-Midge-Ure-The-Voice

Various Artists “12-inch 80’s / Electro Pop” (3CD) $35 — With the new rebirth of “electro” among the younger audience, it was only natural that another volume be released in the “12″ 80’s” collection that focuses on the real roots of “electro pop”.   This collection covers a lot of great original 12-inch extended versions including bands like Talk Talk, Tears for Fears, Yazoo, Human League, Heaven 17, New Order, Soft Cell, Trio, Art of Noise, etc. plus even a few of the early funksters like Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, and Sugarhill Gang.   See the complete track list and order this fun retro collection here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/60075320869-4/Various-Artists-12-inch-80s-Electro-Pop

WANT TO KNOW WHAT COMES IN STOCK MORE QUICKLY?

Well, the people who follow me on Twitter knew about the arrival of the limited edition Assemblage 23 and other items in this update before I put together this newsletter.   I’ve started announcing new arrivals the moment they are entered into the catalog by using Twitter.   You can sign up to follow my Twitter feeds here:

http://twitter.com/adifferentdrum

If you are new to Twitter and afraid of trying to “follow” yet another social website, I have a very handy suggestion for you.  First of all, you should use Mozilla Firefox as your browser– just Google it and you’ll find the free download location.  Install it and use that instead of Windows Internet Explorer.   Then you can Google “Firefox add-ons” and you’ll see a page where you can download any number of add-on’s for Firefox.  Look up the add-on called “Friendbar” and install it.   That creates a ticker bar across the top of your Firefox browser that continually scrolls both Twitter posts and Facebook status updates from all of your friends.  You never even need to open Facebook or Twitter homepages to see what people are doing!  You just see the comments scroll across your screen while you’re doing other things.   You can also post from Friendbar and it will go to both your Twitter and Facebook accounts.   You can also reply to comments and friends using this cool tool.    Give it a shot!  Then you’ll occasionally see a “tweet” from me scroll across your screen to tell you about a new release.

Thanks again for your support!
-Todd

Another week has rolled by and it is time to unleash a couple of new releases on the awaiting synthpop junkies

First of all, I have a special CD package deal on EBay if you’d like to pick up something inexpensive for yourself, for a friend, for family, for that person at the dance club that you’ve had your eye on, or for the DJ so they can get a hint of what to play.   Whatever you want to do with it, it’s too good a deal to pass up for $9.99 for 7 releases.  Go here and look at the deal which is listed several times:

http://myworld.ebay.com/adiffe

NEW ARRIVALS:

Saudade “The Guts to Be Good” $6 — Well, this is my own little project where I’ve been expressing some of my feelings and musical inclinations in song.  I don’t claim to be a synthpop superstar, by any stretch of the imagination, but I do feel like my music is sincere and interesting, drawing heavy influences from my quirky, new wave 80’s roots.  The previous two singles I’ve released (”Bad Dreams” and “Like You”) were remakes of old songs I’d written in the 80’s as a teenage.   However, this collection features new songs from 2008 and 2009.   You can read all the nitty gritty details describing what went into this release by reading my last blog entry here :
http://toddiovision.wordpress.com/
If you’d like to listen to audio samples, watch a few of the related no-budget videos, and order the CD, then you may do so here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/ADDCD1302/Saudade-The-Guts-to-Be-Good

Digital Machine “Many Correct Words (Russian)” $18 — This is one of the newer quality synthpop bands from Russia that sings primarily in the Russian language.  The sound on this album is very crisp and enticing.  The vocals are top notch and the songs have just the right amount of bounce and catchy melodies.   Even if you don’t understand Russian, you should find yourself enjoying this cool synthpop.   Check out the audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/PMR005/Digital-Machine-Many-Correct-Words

Various Artists “Retro Electro” (2CD) $26 — This is an interesting double-disc release imported from Germany that takes some old synthesizer dance tracks from artists like Hypnosis, Laserdance, Cetu Javu, Robotiko Rejekto (who they call Rejected Robots) and remixes them for a new, club-friendly sound that feels at home with today’s more mainstream dance sounds.  There is just enough of the “retro” mixed in with the housey beats to keep it fun for those of us who like the old school.   Check out the track list here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/ZYX82246-2/Various-Artists-Retro-Electro

PRE-ORDER NOW:

This cool CD is still available for pre-order, due to be released in arrive here in about 10 days.  You can order now to have it shipped once available:

Endless Shame “Unspoken Words” $12 — The latest album from Endless Shame presents the perfect combination of high energy, futurepop dance music with classical, catchy synthpop. Sing along and dance yourself into a frenzy as you enjoy one edgy anthem after another.  Listen to audio samples and pre-order here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/ADDCD1297/Endless-Shame-Unspoken-Words

NOTE Concerning new ASSEMBLAGE 23 album:

I’m sure many of you know that there is a new Assemblage 23 album called “Compass” out this week.  Well, I don’t have it yet.  Sorry!  I had planned to stock the limited 2CD edition offered by Metropolis Records, but then found out that the limited edition was not being shipped to any “other stores” right now…only the regular edition.  The label wants to keep the 2CD exclusive to their direct customers for a while, though I’m told I’ll eventually be able to get it.

Since I know most of my customers are collectors and big music fans, I figured you would want the limited 2CD edition (not the regular) so I didn’t bother stocking an edition that you wouldn’t want.  Plus, I’d hate to sell you a regular edition now, only so you could discover the limited edition later and feel like you’d been ripped-off.

Anyway, it’s up to you.  Jump over to the Metropolis Records homepage if you’re in a hurry to pick it up.  Or, you can wait on me.  I’ll probably get a few copies of the regular edition in my next order, but I’m keeping my eyes and ears open for when I’ll be able to get the limited edition for my good customers.   Thanks for your understanding.

There should be some more new releases arriving here very soon, so I’ll be in touch again.  Thanks!
-Todd

Well, the weekend went by quickly, and it’s time to look at some more new arrivals in A Different Drum’s store.  I’m particularly excited about a couple of them.   As some of you know, I’m a long-time Yello fan, dating way back to the early 80’s.  So, I can’t help but be happy that they’re still active after all these years and have put out a new album

NEW ARRIVALS:

Pet Shop Boys “Beautiful People” (MCD) $11 — This is the next single from the Pet Shop Boys’ stunning album, “Yes”.   There are a couple real gems on this single, including a wonderful club mix of “Up and Down” which stood out for me since it includes samples of the instrumentation from the classic hit “Opportunities”.  Definitely fun stuff.   See the track list and order here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/509993082202-3/Pet-Shop-Boys-Beautiful-People

Yello “Touch Yello” $22 — These guys are pioneers of the electronic music scene, and after a fun 30 year career, they’re still around churning out their unique blend of deep vocals, electronics, stabbing brass, primal drumming, and a smattering of sexy guest female vocalists.  Though it has a somewhat chilled, down-tempo feeling overall on “Touch Yello”, it’s still what you’d expect from Yello.  See the track list and order here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/060252719485-1/Yello-Touch-Yello

FP “Better Ways” $18 — FP is a melodic synthpop band from Germany that has been working the underground for a decade.  They keep coming back with new collections of nice songs that fit in with some of the 90’s treasures from Germany, similar to bands like Point of View, Condition One, or early De/Vision.  You can listen to audio samples and order the new CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/402079642601-9/FP-Better-Ways

Dupont “Entering the Ice Age” $20 — These guys have a sound that makes you think of And One, or the old 90’s band Dark Voices.   Though Dupont often plays more on the side of pounding EBM, this newest album has more singing and less of the deep-voice talking, which is a nice touch.  It’s a bit more synthpop flavored this time.   Listen to samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/PROCD020/Dupont-Entering-the-Ice-Age

Kilowatts and Vanek “Focus and Flow” $20 — This is one of the very unique bands in the scene, and this is their 2nd album, available only as an import this time around.  They play an interesting combination of folky acoustic guitar and electronics.  The blend of drum machines and acoustic guitar with the relaxed, nice voice creates a new and intriguing sound.   I was a fan of the first album and am having fun listening to this new offering.  Check out the audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/Mind137/KiloWatts-and-Vanek-Focus-and-Flow

Pixel Hero “Pixel Hero” $20 — Here is an interesting album for the adventurous fan of electronic music.  This is advertised as a 16-bit electronic sci-fi story (though there are not vocals).   The instrumentation is very much like an action video game soundtrack and it supposedly follows the adventures of a pixel hero who eventually is defeated by the “end boss”.   Fans of video game music and instrumental synthpop should check it out.  Listen to the samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/Sturmmandat27/Pixel-Hero-Pixel-Hero

There ya go!  You needed more new music, so dive in and enjoy!   Oh, and I’ve updated A Different Drum’s radio player so you can hear more of this new stuff.   Just go here for the experience :

http://www.adifferentdrum.com/Player

Thanks!
-Todd

Wow, I got quite a few new items into the store this week.  But I don’t have time to go over them all today, so I’m going to have to split my update into two exciting pieces.   In today’s segment, take a look at these exciting new releases, plus a new pre-order for an upcoming album by Endless Shame, presented by A Different Drum!

NEW ARRIVALS:

Marsheaux “Lumineux Noir” $20 — Just as we’ve sold out of the limited edition, the regular album edition has just arrived!  You’ll want to grab this CD, which is considered by many synthpop fans to be one of the most pleasant surprises of 2009.  The breathy, cool female vocals team up with crisp, 80’s style synths and super catchy tunes.    You can listen to samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/OUT362/Marsheaux-Lumineux-Noir

Camouflage “Spice Crackers / Deluxe” (2CD) $26 — This is one of the Camouflage albums that has been out of print and very hard to find for several years.  Though it is one of their more experimental electronic albums, fans have been hunting it down and treasuring it in their collections.  Now it has been re-mastered and re-released with an entire bonus disc loaded with rarities and extras.   See the complete track list and order it here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/BB032/Camouflage-Spice-Crackers-Deluxe-2CD

Estrange “On the Wane” $20 — This band was started back in the mid 90’s Swedish synthpop underground.  For those of you who were living through the fun time of October Records, you’ll remember these guys and their interesting blend of Depeche Mode influenced synthpop and new wave attitude that sometimes sound a bit like The Cure.  Well, there is still some of that– you can hear that Swedish tinge in there.   But they are building on their own sound, and this album swings from uptempo synthy tracks to slower, brooding songs.   Check out the audio samples and order their CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/PAIN0011/Estrange-On-the-Wane

Technology “Latex EP” (Limited Edition CD) $26 — Recently we got the limited edition of the new album by Russian synthpop stars, Technology, plus the great single featuring vocals from Elegant Machinery (a real hit song).   Now, for those of you who want something super collectible from Technology, I managed to get just a few copies of the limited edition EPCD “Latex”.  It includes exclusive tracks and remixes, packaged in a beautiful hard-bound digipack.  Each one is numbered 1-500.   It is pricey because it is already becoming a rarity in Russia.  Get it while you can :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/PMR008FE/Technology-Latex-EP-Limited-Numbered-Edition

Conscience “Gravity Has Gone” $18 — We’ve had the previous CDR releases from this underground German synthpop act in stock before, and now you can pick up this collection of their best songs plus bonus remixes on a nice, factory-pressed CD.  It’s a great introduction to the band.  You can listen to the audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/BM09C344/Conscience-Gravity-Has-Gone

SPECIAL PRE-ORDER!

This CD can be pre-ordered now, and then it will be shipped to you on the day it arrives from the factory!

ENDLESS SHAME “Unspoken Words” $12 — Get ready for a very exciting and fun album from a polished synthpop act that has been milling around the Swedish underground for a few years.  Now they come out of the shadows and they do it with strength and style.   They play a great blend of danceable futurepop and bouncy synthpop.   Be sure to listen to the samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/ADDCD1297/Endless-Shame-Unspoken-Words

Plus, I’ve added two tracks from the Endless Shame album onto the radio player, along with other selections from new arrivals.  Open a browser window and enter this address for a few hours of listening pleasure!

http://www.adifferentdrum.com/Player

I’ll be back in touch soon with even more new arrivals to discuss!
-Todd

Hello from A Different Drum!  It’s time to look at the new arrivals for this week.  First of all, I’d like to introduce you to a digital single from one of A Different Drum’s newel label bands, Access Zero!  This single is the prelude to the forthcoming album, “Living In Transition”.

Access Zero “Lost Among the Reign” (Digital Single) — features dance versions and a great remix from Rotersand!
Available from Amazon.com downloads , as well as iTunes.
http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Among-The-Reign-Single/dp/B002MVS6QU

NEW ARRIVALS:

Mesh “Only Better” (MCD) $8 — OK, let me sum this up very simply… IT’S MESH!  It kicks butt in usual Mesh style.  The remixes are particularly outstanding, which has also been the tradition with Mesh singles.  For me, the standout mix comes from Alien6, another working name for Geoff from The Nine, Alien#Six13, and Tenek.   It features the usual awesome b-side and a remix of another album track.   Get it fast!  See the track list and order here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/MET624/Mesh-Only-Better

Shadow Minds “Extend the Line” $18 — This German underground release presents uptempo, danceable synthpop music with a vocalist that sounds like a VNV Nation protege in some tracks.  I hadn’t heard much from these guys before, though it appears they’ve been putting out music the last few years.   Here is your chance to pick up their latest offering.  Listen to samples and order their CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/426016425000-0/Shadow-Minds-Extend-the-Line

Animotion “Animotion” (deluxe edition) $22 — Hey, these guys are one of those one-hit-wonder bands from the 80’s synthpop revolution that people still love.   So, as you’d expect, you can now pick up the remastered CD with bonus tracks that include the original remixes of their huge hit, “Obsession”.   See the track list and order here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/CRPOP25/Animotion-Animotion-With-5-Bonus-Tracks

Animotion “Strange Behavior” $22 — And you can also pick up their lesser-known, but cool 2nd album remastered and with those extra bonus tracks!   See the tracks and order here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/CRPOP26/Animotion-Strange-Behavior-With-5-Bonus-Tracks

I will also have the new CESIUM 137 album, “Identity” on Tuesday, and I’ve already listed it so you can order this weekend to have it shipped ASAP.   You can order the new CD from this cool synthpop, industrial dance crossover act here:
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/MET621/Cesium-137-Identity

Have a wonderful weekend!  It finally started to look like autumn in my neighborhood.  It had stayed summer-like for a little longer than usual, and then the temperature dropped 30 degrees over night and it snowed in the mountains outside my window.  I welcome the change.  Though the year has gone by pretty fast, and I don’t think I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to at the beginning of the year, it is always nice to see the seasons change and hope for better times, or at least for different experiences.   If you’re in the northern hemisphere like me, then I wish you a wonderful autumn!

-Todd