Their self-titled debut, released in 1980 (this is some futuristic shit), is a curiously minimal and DIY-sounding album. The big hit from this is Electricity, which is basically just an exercise in making a great song from only a few basic elements, even if it's pretty much a sped up Kraftwerk song. Well-done synth pop craft also turns up on other songs like surprisingly pensive opener Bunker Soldiers and Red Frame White Light. A few odd turns also permeate this, like the coldwave atmospheres of Almost and Messerschmitt Twins. Oh, and Dancing is great, but it's Earthbound music. And that saxophone on Mystereality is strange but necessary. Overall, a concise and well-made early synth-pop document, even if it's not really some bleak and/or defining masterpiece.
01 Bunker Soldiers 2:54 02 Almost 3:44 03 Mystereality 2:45 04 Electricity 3:39 05 The Messerschmitt Twins 5:41 06 Messages 4:12 07 Julia's Song 4:41 08 Red Frame/white Light 3:12 09 Dancing 2:59 10 Pretending To See The Future 3:48 11 Bonus Tracks: 12 Messages (single Version) 4:46
13 I Betray My Friends 3:53 14 Taking Sides Again 4:23 15 Waiting For The Man 3:00 16 Electricity (hannett/cargo Studios Version) 3:37 17 Almost (hannett/cargo Studios Version) 3:51