Suicide | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Although they barely received credit, Suicide (singer Alan Vega and keyboardist Martin Rev) were the source point for virtually every synth pop duo that glutted the pop marketplace (especially in England) in the early 80s. Without the trailblazing Rev and Vega, there would have been no Soft Cell, Erasure, Bronski Beat, Yaz, you name em, and while many would tell you that thats nothing to crow about, the aforementioned synth poppers merely appropriated Suicides keyboards/singer look and none of Rev and Vegas extremely confrontational performance style and love of dissonance. The few who did (Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire) were considered too extreme for most tastes. Suicide had been a part of the performing arts scene in New York Citys Lower East Side in the early/mid-70s New York Dolls era. Their approach to music was simple: Rev would create minimalistic, spooky, hypnotic washes of dissonant keyboards and synthesizers, while Vega sang, ranted, and spat neo-Beat lyrics in a jumpy, disjointed fashion. On-stage, Vega became confrontational, often baiting the crowd into a riotous frenzy that occasionally led to full-blown violence, usually with the crowd attacking Vega. With their reputation as controversial performers solidified, what was lost was that Suicide recorded some amazingly seductive and terrifying music. A relationship with Cars mastermind Ric Ocasek proved successful, bringing their music to a wider audience and developing unlikely fans (Bruce Springsteen went on record as loving Suicides Vietnam-vet saga "Frankie Teardrop"), but after numerous breakups and reconciliations, Rev and Vega settled for being more influential than commercially successful. Ironically, the 90s proved to be a decade of vindication for Suicide with the rise of industrial dance music, Chicagos Wax Trax! label, and the bands associated with it (Revolting Cocks, Ministry, 1000 Homo DJs, etc.). Although not a big part of the scene after the late 90s, the profound influence of Suicide on a generation of younger bands was readily apparent. When Suicide returned in 2002 with American Supreme, their first studio release in ten years, much fanfare resulted, no doubt considerably furthered by Vegas presence around this time as a heavily profiled exhibitor of art in New York, where he had presented a show at the Jeffrey Dietch Gallery in New York earlier in the year. Vega also continued to appear on collaborative and solo recordings, including his album Station, which arrived in 2007, five years after Suicides American Supreme. Vega died in 2016 in New York City at the age of 78. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 11 Title: Suicide Released: 1977-12 Tracks: 7 Duration: 31:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Ghost Rider (02:35) 2 Rocket USA (04:17) 3 Cheree (03:45) 4 Johnny (02:09) 5 Girl (03:21) 6 Frankie Teardrop (10:24) 7 Che (04:50) |
| Suicide : Allmusic album Review : Proof that punk was more about attitude than a raw, guitar-driven sound, Suicides self-titled debut set the duo apart from the rest of the styles self-proclaimed outsiders. Over the course of seven songs, Martin Revs dense, unnerving electronics -- including a menacing synth bass, a drum machine that sounds like an idling motorcycle, and harshly hypnotic organs -- and Alan Vegas ghostly, Gene Vincent-esque vocals defined the groups sound and provided the blueprints for post-punk, synth pop, and industrial rock in the process. Though those seven songs shared the same stripped-down sonic template, they also show Suicides surprisingly wide range. The exhilarated, rebellious "Ghost Rider" and "Rocket U.S.A." capture the punk eras thrilling nihilism -- albeit in an icier way than most groups expressed it -- while "Cheree" and "Girl" counter the rest of the albums hard edges with a sensuality thats at once eerie and alluring. And with its retro bassline and simplistic, stylized lyrics, "Johnny" explores Suicides affinity for 50s melodies and images, as well as their pop leanings. But none of this is adequate preparation for "Frankie Teardrop," one of the duos definitive moments, and one of the most harrowing songs ever recorded. A ten-minute descent into the soul-crushing existence of a young factory worker, Revs tense, repetitive rhythms and Vegas deadpan delivery and horrifying, almost inhuman screams make the song more literally and poetically political than the work of bands who wore their radical philosophies on their sleeves. [The Mute reissue includes "Keep Your Dreams" and the "Cheree" remix that appeared on previous versions of the album, along with live versions of "Las Vegas Man," "Mr. Ray," and "23 Minutes Over Brussels"; though the extra tracks dilute the original albums impact somewhat, theyre worthwhile supplements to one of the punk eras most startlingly unique works.] | ||
 | Album: 2 of 11 Title: Suicide (The Second Album) Released: 1980 Tracks: 10 Duration: 40:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne (03:21) 2 Mr. Ray (05:14) 3 Sweetheart (03:37) 4 Fast Money Music (03:08) 5 Touch Me (04:24) 6 Harlem (06:38) 7 Be Bop Kid (02:13) 8 Las Vegas Man (04:10) 9 Shadazz (04:25) 10 Dance (03:23) |
 | Album: 3 of 11 Title: 1/2 Alive Released: 1981-09-09 Tracks: 15 Duration: 50:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Harlem II (03:56) 2 Goin to Las Vegas (04:15) 3 Love You (02:45) 4 Cool as Ice (03:19) 5 All Night Long (04:05) 6 Sister Ray Says (04:25) 7 Johnny Dance (03:00) 8 Space Blue (01:46) 9 Long Talk (01:27) 10 Speed Queen (02:27) 11 Chezazze (03:24) 12 Dreams (02:09) 13 All Night Long (04:31) 14 Sweetheart (04:44) 15 Scream and Shout (04:16) |
 | Album: 4 of 11 Title: Ghost Riders Released: 1986 Tracks: 5 Duration: 42:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rocket U.S.A. (04:53) 2 Rock n Roll (Is Killing My Life) (05:14) 3 Ghost Rider (07:06) 4 Dream Baby Dream (06:20) 5 Harlem / Sweet White Lady (18:37) |
| Ghost Riders : Allmusic album Review : Originally a cassette-only release, this live recording at Walker Arts Center in Minneapolis marked Rev and Vegas tenth anniversary. And while not as deliberately offensive as some of their earlier live gigs (the impossible-to-locate 23 Minutes Over Brussels), this is a compelling, interesting document of their ever-evolving stage show. Not as transcendent as their debut album, but well worth the effort. [Ghost Riders was reissued on CD by the French Danceteria label in 1990 and ROIR in 1991.] | ||
 | Album: 5 of 11 Title: A Way of Life Released: 1988 Tracks: 8 Duration: 47:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Dominic Christ (06:36) 2 Johnny (03:35) 3 Cheree (05:09) 4 Devastation (07:17) 5 Juke Box Baby 96 (06:36) 6 Girl (06:30) 7 I Surrender (03:38) 8 Harlem (07:48) |
| A Way of Life : Allmusic album Review : The unwitting godfathers of industrial noise-squall return after a long absence to reclaim their throne on A Way of Life. Produced by Ric Ocasek, Suicides Alan Vega and Martin Rev pick up exactly where they left off, crafting beautifully ominous drone-rock founded on pulsing sequences, dramatic vocals, and dense atmospherics. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 11 Title: Why Be Blue? Released: 1992 Tracks: 10 Duration: 41:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Why Be Blue? (04:33) 2 Cheat-Cheat (04:02) 3 Hot Ticket (03:59) 4 Universe (03:56) 5 Last Time (03:35) 6 Play the Dream (04:24) 7 Pump It (03:50) 8 Flashy Love (04:43) 9 Chewy-Chewy (03:57) 10 Mujo (04:10) |
| Why Be Blue? : Allmusic album Review : The Ric Ocasek-produced Why Be Blue?, originally released on Break Out in 1992, is notable for its upbeat temperament (the title isnt ironic) and its display of Alan Vega and Martin Rev at a point in their career when they were neither ahead of nor with the times. Despite "Mujo"s resemblance to Peaches & Herbs "Shake Your Groove Thing" (a disco reference, very out-of-place for 1992 music that wasnt house or shiny dance-pop) and the mid-80s sophisti-pop melodic structure of "Flashy Love" (it could almost be an ABC cover), they werent exactly behind the times. They were somewhere else entirely, if vaguely in line with the groups that continued to look to Suicides past work for guidance. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 11 Title: Zero Hour Released: 1997-09-09 Tracks: 2 Duration: 45:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Live in New York - May 1978: Mr. Ray / Las Vegas Man / Four Horsemen / Keep Your Dreams / I Remember (23:12) 2 Live in Berlin - June 1978: Ghost Rider / Rocket U.S.A. / Cheree / Harlem / 96 Tears (22:10) |
| Zero Hour : Allmusic album Review : Zero Hour compiles live performances Suicide gave in New York City and Berlin in the late 70s and early 80s. Although these live takes arent drastically different from the studio versions, the icy intensity of the music makes Zero Hour a must-hear for dedicated Suicide fans. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 11 Title: American Supreme Released: 2002-10-28 Tracks: 18 Duration: 2:04:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Televised Executions (06:11) 2 Misery Train (05:18) 3 Swearin to the Flag (04:51) 4 Beggin for Miracles (05:01) 5 American Mean (05:04) 6 Wrong Decisions (04:30) 7 Death Machine (04:16) 8 Power au Go-Go (04:15) 9 Dachau, Disney, Disco (05:18) 10 Child, Its a New World (04:53) 11 I Dont Know (05:39) 1 White Man (09:04) 2 Harlem (08:55) 3 I Surrender (06:51) 4 Show Me tha Money (12:35) 5 Girl (11:15) 6 Rocket USA (13:21) 7 Jukebox Baby (07:26) |
| American Supreme : Allmusic album Review : Is American Supreme -- the first Suicide album in a decade -- an update, a return to form? Yes and no. Those who hang on Alan Vegas every streetwise grunt and growl will doubtlessly be pleased as punch with the results, as will anyone who hasnt heard any music that has been recorded since 1990. Perhaps the strangest twist about this record is how much of it sounds more crude and antiquated than the duos first two albums, which were released over 20 years prior to this one. Those two albums did what few groups had done prior, and this one recycles hip-hop and dance beats that were recycled many times over by the mid-90s. The opening "Television Executions" is the worst culprit, using turntable scratches and a bounding late-80s funk groove that the Red Hot Chili Peppers would scoff at. It would be expecting far too much for Vega and Martin Rev to deliver something as revolutionary as those first two albums. A more realistic hope would be for this album to not be an embarrassment. Thankfully, due to Vegas sharp-as-ever observations (he still sounds ornery and underfed), they narrowly escape that pitfall. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 11 Title: Attempted: Live at Maxs Kansas City 1980 Released: 2004-03-26 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:13:35 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Harlem (06:29) 2 Radiation (07:25) 3 Dream Baby Dream (05:58) 4 Ghost Rider (08:16) 5 Cadillac (06:16) 6 Dance (06:30) 7 96 Tears (06:04) 8 Rocket USA (03:26) 9 Touch Me / Be Bop a Lula (06:30) 10 Night Time (06:34) 11 Jesus (03:50) 12 Frankie Teardrop (06:11) |
| Attempted: Live at Max's Kansas City 1980 : Allmusic album Review : When the word "document" is used to describe a reissue or some recently excavated live material, its usually code for "completists only." Thats the case with Attempted, which documents a January 1980 performance at Maxs Kansas City. Suicides studio albums have never been known for high fidelity or intricacy, so its not as if one can expect to hear a live recording with some warm bottom end and crisp, pliable instrumentation. This sounds like it was recorded by an audience member who was too apprehensive to get front and center. Who could blame this person? Alan Vega gives one of the performances that his reputation was built on, jumping from relaxed to rabid in half a moments notice. Martin Revs machines sound too distant most of the time, but that wont be an issue for the duos devout followers. This might as well be considered the antithesis of The Delicate Sound of Thunder. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 11 Title: Frankie Teardrop Released: 2008-11-24 Tracks: 2 Duration: 18:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Frankie Teardrop (05:35) 2 Frankie Teardrop vs. The Space Alien (13:04) |
 | Album: 11 of 11 Title: Sclerosis LP Released: 2016-07-18 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:16:16 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Burning Body Techno (06:10) 2 Heart burn (07:34) 3 Epinephrine (05:11) 4 Coleoptera (05:22) 5 Get to the Rock (05:21) 6 The Smoking (07:04) 7 Rhinoceros (05:51) 8 Thoughts (06:49) 9 Mission Mars (06:55) 10 Economy (05:10) 11 Sclerosis (06:33) 12 Collaboration (08:16) |