This is Todd at A Different Drum.  How are you?  I hope you’re doing well

I have a couple new releases to mention in today’s update, but most of all, I want to let you know that I’ll be leaving to take a family vacation for the first time in 5 years.   Well…aside from little three-day weekends or a Christmas holiday, this is the first time in a few years that I’ll be taking my wife and kids and leaving town for 8 days just to have fun.  It’s going to be great!  But that also means that I won’t be shipping any CD’s from October 8th - October 16th.

So….please plan ahead and realize that there will be some lag-time if you order during that period.   Of course, you can still order, but I just won’t be able to ship until I’m back.   To help you get those items you may be wanting before that time, I have initiated a discount on everything EXCEPT new releases.   If you order before I leave, you can get 10% off all catalog items, and 20% off A Different Drum’s own label CD releases.   You will see the discount applied during “checkout”.   Again, that excludes new releases.

Take advantage of the little discount and have some fun!

NEW ARRIVALS:

Rotersand “Waiting to Be Born” (CDEP) $10 — This new EP features 9 tracks of remixes and extras for fans of this popular, dark synthpop act.   You can see the track list and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/MET678/Rotersand-Waiting-to-Be-Born

The Birthday Massacre “Pins and Needles” $15 — Behold, the new release from the very popular synth / new wave / gothic cross-over band that seems to be making waves across the globe!   Order the new CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/MET680/The-Birthday-Massacre-Pins-and-Needles

Thanks for your support!   If anything else new comes in before my vacation, I’ll let you know!
-Todd

Yes, it is already time for another update from A Different Drum.  There’ s a lot happening this month, and for that I am grateful…

NEW ARRIVALS:

Iris “Closer to Real” (MCD) $11 — This German import single features the original versions of both “Closer to Real” and “Panic Rev” plus a remix of each of those tracks as well.   It is a limited release and you can pick one up now right here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/FACT3156/Iris-Closer-to-Real

A-Ha “Butterfly Butterfly (The Last Hurrah)” (MCD) $10 — This is only a 2-track single, with the original version and one remix version of the title track.  But this is touted as the last single from A-Ha as they fade into the sunset.  Of course, we thought that before too, but they returned with a few more albums.  Anyway…you can watch the video and pick up this collectible single here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/812279790-9/A-Ha-Butterfly-Butterfly-The-Last-Hurrah

A-Ha “25″ (2CD) $24 — One thing is for sure, it seems there are almost as many “hits” collections for A-Ha as there are regular, studio albums.   However, this one is now the most complete and features some 7-inch and radio edits as well as the final song “Butterfly Butterly (The Last Hurrah)”.   See the track list and order the 2CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/812279796-8/A-Ha-25

OMD “If You Want It” (MCD) $12 — This is the new import single from the classic synthpop pioneer, OMD.   The single features the title track, plus another song called “Alone” and two extra remixes of “If You Want it”.    The sound fits right in with their classics, if you ask me.   I look forward to hearing the new album (and yes, we’ll stock that as well…import limited and US regular editions).    You can watch the music video and order the CD single here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/506020480081-8/Orchestral-Manoeuvres-In-the-Dark-OMD-If-You-Want-It

Code 64 “Trialogue” $20 — Code 64 is back with their third studio album.  This time they combine their trademark, high-energy synthpop / futurepop sound with a new vocalist.    It is still as epic and catchy as ever!   If this won’t get you dancing, nothing will.   Check out the audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/PROCD026/Code-64-Trialogue

No Comment “Like a Record” (MCD) $11 — No Comment made a cover version of the 80’s club classic “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” back in 1998, and now you can get a single which features that original cover version, plus a new 2010 version and 5 other bonus tracks.    It’s interesting to hear a cover that old Dead or Alive track with No Comment’s quirky female vocalist.   You can pick up the CD single here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/BM10C401/No-Comment-Like-a-Record

Blind Passenger “Next Flight to Planet Earth” $22 — This new synthpop / EBM import from Germany is headed by Nik Page who was part of the old, German synthpop act “Blind Passengers”.   Vocals are provided by Joke Jay (past member of And One) and others.   It has some cool, edgy synthpop, including a new version of the song “Small Town Night” originally performed by Blind Passengers in the 90’s.   Listen to audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/SEE069/Blind-Passenger-Next-Flight-to-Planet-Earth

Lastrax “Silence is Louder Than Shouts” $16 — This is an import from Argentina from a band that plays punchy electronic music that crosses the borders of synthpop and EBM.   The vocals are dark and deep-throated, reminding me a bit of Dupont.   You can listen to audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/KR05/Lastrax-Silence-is-Louder-Than-Shouts

Listen to songs from the latest releases on the handy radio player here:

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

And here is another quick reminder of the RECOIL tour.

Watch here for tour information :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNJZ-9nu3RI

Hit this link to see a list of shows and ticket information :
http://blog.recoil.co.uk/events/

The first two orders placed immediately after this update will receive a free 2CD Recoil “Selected”!

Thanks,
Todd

This is Todd at A Different Drum, and I promised another update this week, so here is another quick list of items that just came into the store.   And beware, there are a couple SUPER HOT releases here.  I’d say that some of the best music of the year is all coming out right now!

NEW ARRIVALS:

Tenek “On the Wire” $18 — This British duo is stellar with great, catchy melodies, an energetic voice, and top-notch music production.  If you know the band that was called THE NINE in the 90’s, with a later dance production called ALIEN#SIX13, then you’ve heard a taste. This is probably the best of all incarnations!  You can listen to the audio samples for this wonderful new album and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/TOFF0021/Tenek-On-the-Wire

Minerve “Please” $18 — Wow, I am excited about this new album!  If you ever felt like there was a dire need in the world for more high-energy, danceable releases from CAMOUFLAGE, well, just close your eyes, pop in this CD, and you’ve got what you wanted!  I mean, if you’re old school and into Camouflage or Depeche Mode, or if you’re a more recent synthpop junkie who gets your kicks from every new De/Vision release, then you won’t want to miss this one, which I might add is probably better than the latest efforts by any of the other bands mentioned in this review.  Listen to audio samples and order this CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/EZ10C455/Minerve-Please

If you missed the two previous Minerve albums, both of which have been out-of-print for yeras….good news!  They’re back, and with bonus tracks!   You can order them now

Here are three CD singles from the last few years which features some retro-flavored Italo Disco:

James Manoro “On My Mind” (MCD) $10 — This guy sings some old-school Italo style synthpop with the bouncy, dance club sound.  Check out the audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/WRRCD0703/James-Manoro-On-My-Mind

AmbrA “Sulphur Salt and Mercury” (MCD) $10 — This old-school Italo style synthpop single features a female lead vocalist and retro-flavored synths.   You can listen to audio samples and order the CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/WRRCD0602/AmbrA-Sulphur-Salt-and-Mercury

AmbrA “Dream the Summer Back” (MCD) $10 — And this little import single dates back to 2005 and also features the female lead Italo-style synthpop.   You can order the CD single here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/WRRCD0501SE/AmbrA-Dream-the-Summer-Back

Thanks for your support!  Another update will follow shortly with more new, exciting releases!

Oh, and tune-in to the radio player to hear songs from the latest releases:
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/Player

Thanks!
-Todd

Hello, this is Todd at A Different Drum.  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.   I thought I should send out a quick update before I get too buried in this week’s work load.

As a quick update, I’m still shipping Iris CD’s.  Most pre-orders are on the way, but I just can’t seem to get enough in stock.  They’ve been coming in doses.   The last few are headed out ASAP.     I’m also shipping the first VIP CD release from A Different Drum to subscribers this week.  So, it’s a double-whammy, but it’s good to be busy.

Here are some new arrivals in the store from last week…

NEW ARRIVALS:

Parralox “Supermagic” (MCD) $12 — This is the next in the totally loaded series of CD singles from Parralox.  As usual, they play very catchy synthpop adn the remixes keep it uptempo and run.   You can watch the video for the original version, as well as order the new CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/CRCDPLOX05/Parralox-Supermagic

Paradoxx “Decade - The Best of 2000-2010″ (CDR) $12 — This is another synthpop act from Australia, but these guys were cranking out cool music a decade ago, and this new release features some highlights from past releases, plus a couple new songs.   The new track “Rocketship” features vocals from Any Labb of SYRIAN.    Pick up this limited release here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/BR1001/Paradoxx-Decade-The-Best-of-2000-2010

Brand New Day “Remixes and Rarities Volume 1″ $12 — This new CD features a collection of favorite remixes from singles plus some previously unreleased tracks from Brand New Day.   On all recent releases, Brand New Day has featured guest vocalists from several different projects, but this release marks the end of that approach as future music from the band will feature Steven Daniels from the band Elevated Sins as the full-time partner.   Pick up this CD here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/BNDPCD06/Brand-New-Day-Remixes-and-Rarities-Volume-1

Various Artists “Italo Euro Disco Volume 1″ $15 — This new compilation features new songs from artists who follow the trends of some 80’s and 90’s Euro-dance and Italo-disco style.   For those not familiar with the terms, this was the kind of music that was primarily synthpop, but with a commercial disco appeal in the 80’s.   Think of bands like Fancy, Modern Talking, or even The Twins.   It’s melodic, bouncy, and fun.   Pick up this new compilation here :
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/SSR0015/Various-Artists-Italo-Euro-Disco-Volume-1

There are several other new releases coming in this week, so I’ll hopefully get another update out to you before the weekend.   Thanks for your support!  I’m excited for what appears to be a strong ending to 2010 if you’re a synthpop junky like me

-Todd

Hello friend of A Different Drum.  I just wanted to send out a quick email to let you know that I’ve starting packaging up the new IRIS “Blacklight” CD for those who have pre-ordered.   A first batch will make it out tomorrow (Saturday).  But most of them won’t ship until Tuesday.  Why?  Well…Monday is Labor Day, a US national holiday.  So, the post office will be closed

Yep, perfect timing.  Once we have something cool to ship out, the post office closes.  But that’s OK.  I just wanted to let you know that it’s in the works.  I’ll send out emails as I package up your CD’s to let you know that they are on the way.

If you want to order the cool new IRIS CD, you can order it here :

http://www.adifferentdrum.com/buy/DIF016/Iris-Blacklight

If you want to watch a video for one of the songs, check it out here :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PkBH5iucoI

ALSO…RECOIL IS TOURING:

I thought I’d pass out a little information about the upcoming RECOIL tour for those who are fans, stemming back to the Depeche Mode days of Alan Wilder.

Check out the promo information for the tour by watching this video :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNJZ-9nu3RI

You can see a list of cities and how to purchase tickets here:

http://blog.recoil.co.uk/events/

Thanks, and have a great weekend!

Thanks for your support!
-Todd