table border="0" width="100%" height="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" valign="top">
rock in the fine city
'80s-'90s singapore independent music archives
Friday, June 06, 2008
FECTION DASCHE- Eternal Transgression MCD
(Independent Voices Productions/Fection Dasche 1994)



This '90s EP was made by a bunch of Singapore dudes who suffered hangovers from the '80s. And this EP is just up my alley as I still get my '80s hangover deep into this millenium. As obscure as it might be, “Eternal Transgression” is widely regarded by critics as a one off surprise that is uniquely beautiful for their time. The weavework of good synthpop offered by this band can seriously challenge and tantalize the ears, and it is only sadly brought down by the fact that this release is even too short for MCD standard, leaving the fervent romantics at heart craving for more of its deliciously dark, poignant melliflous synthesizer music.

When '80s and synthpop is mentioned concurrently it might bring about some chagrin for those “Euro-trash” skeptics who tried to put their Modern Talking episode into a quiet grave. However, Fection Dasche obviously didn't fall into such trappings, as it is a passionate tribute to the genius that spanned from the pensive electronic tweakers that spelled big names like Depeche Mode, Alphaville and Camouflage, in which case the first and the latter plays a particularly big role in shaping the ominous droning minor keys of the band. “Eternal Transgression” is dark, moody and yet very catchy with its enticing melodies and strong, complex arrangements.

The MCD consisted of three songs, namely “Eternal Transgression (Remorse Version)”, “Dreams” and “Modus Operandi- Sector 1293”, all produced in 1993, of which the the second one was originally conceived way back in 1987. “Eternal Transgression (Remorse Version)”, the title track, is in my opinion the strongest track on this EP. Listening to it open is like a mysterious soundscape unfolding, with a buildup of minimalist keyboards stacking into layers of wondrous symphony as soon as the drum machine kicks in. It is bouncey, danceable and dreamy, somewhere reminescent of the works by early Thompson Twins, Camouflage and a more electronica New Order down to the melancholic vocals. (In case you've downloaded the “Dreams” MP3 sample from Joe Ng's excellent blog site, it is actually “Eternal Transgression (Remorse Version)” not “Dreams” as stated). “Dreams” began with pulsing bass keyworks, kind of like a menacing Depeche Mode appetizer before it materializes as a solemn synthpop number that draws closer to a more Camouflage sound. “Modus-Operandi- Sector 1293” is an instrumental outro that is played with piano setup, kind of like those little Depeche Mode fillers (though not as dark). Maybe sentimental, thoughtful and somber is the keyword to that instrumental piece.

The band Fection Dasche and their EP would have continued to dwell in relative obscurity if not for the fact that this MCD was dug out from the vaults and given a second lease of life online. Maybe one can fault the band for fading away too fast, or the fact that this MCD was released in too few copies. “Eternal Transgression” MCD was self released by the band, limited to an exemplary of 500 numbered copies. For the few people who got hold of this release, it feels great to have a cult release in the hand. This release was originally launched in a package (with a Fection Dasche T-shirt!) together with other electronica bands like Club Ecstacy during a promotion in mid '90s given the amount of attention to many up and coming local electronic talents, and it was all sold out ever since. BUT GOOD NEWS FOR ALL! Fans of Synth Pop, New Wave, New Romantics, EBM or just about any electro misfit androids might want to check out this band's Myspace site at: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=108648692 because they actually manage to dig into their own vaults and found a couple of this MCDs left! So hurry up and get it while they last!

--sojourner at 10:43 AM

Album Reviews

Anesthesia- Anesthesia CD Astreal- Ouijablush CD AWOL- Midnight In June CD Band of Slaves- 45 MCD Bird Brains- Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich CD The Black Sun- The Black Sun CD The Boredphucks- Revolution 69 MCD The Boredphucks- Banned In Da Singapura CD Chris Ho- Nite Songs In Day-Glo CD Concave Scream- Concave Scream CD Concave Scream- Erratic CD Concave Scream- Three CD Daze- Sexy Little Boy MCD Do Not Ask- Just Play It! CD Edgar's Fault- Edgar's Fault CD Fection Dasche- Eternal Transgression CD Flying Pills- Flying Pills CD Force Vomit- The Furniture Goes Up CD Global Chaos- The Art of Listening CD Humpback Oak- Pain-stained Morning CD Humpback Oak- Ghostfather CD Humpback Oak- SideASideB CD Humpback Oak- Oaksongs Boxset Impiety- Asateerul Awaleen CD Kelvin Tan- The Bluest Silence CD Lilac Saints- Awake CD The Lizard's Convention- Here's a Funny Fish, Hurrah! CD The Mother- A Dark Trip On The Ill Tip CD Mutation- Void of Disharmony EP Neural Vibe- Mantra CD The Oddfellows- Teenage Head CD The Oddfellows- Carnival CD The Ordinary People- It's A Weird Existence CD The Padres- BigO Singles Club #1 MCD The Padres- What's Your Story MCD The Pagans- Stereokineticspiraldreams CD Radio Active- Eyes In The Attic CD Starfish n Coffee- Ghost MCD Stompin' Ground- Measured By The Richter Scale CD Stoned Revivals- Golden Lovesongs From The Evil Island of The Handsome Tropical Cannibals CD Sugarflies- And That's Why CD Watchmen- Democracy CD Watchmen- Love MCD Zircon Gov.Pawn Starz- Follywood CD Zircon Lounge- Regal Vigor LP Various Artists- +65 Indie Underground 3 CDs Set Various Artists- Left of The Dial CD Various Artists- The Substation 10 Years & Counting (Rock The Garden) CD Various Artists- 12 Storeys CD Various Artists- New School Rock MCD
Designed by Kirina at Blogskins