A Look at: Suicide

I've been listening to a lot of less talked about post punk bands and post punk era bands lately, one of the most interesting I've come across is Suicide. While Suicide has been very influential in the formation of many modern alternative and electronic bands most people have no idea who they are. A friend recommended them to me and I went on iTunes and downloaded their first two albums, both self titled. A lot of their earlier stuff consists of vocals over simple drum machine beats and minimalist synth lines with very little if any post-production.

Their first album is so simple that at first it's hard to understand how they could be regarded as so infulential but upon later listenings I began to enjoy the album more and more. One song that really caused me to love their style is the dark and terrifying dirge of "Frankie Teardrop". The song is about a young man whos is struggling to support his wife and child but can't make enough money and in desparation turns a gun on them and eventually himself. Each of the deaths is marked by an otherworldly, bloodcurdling scream by vocalist Alan Vega. The lyrics have a sense of black humor to them, every terrible thing Frankie does is followed by "let's hear it for Frankie". The album also includes a live track called "23 Minutes Over Brussels" which includes some crowd chatter and a short set of songs by Suicide that eventually devolves into a riot. Near the conclusion of the tack the duo are trying to play a live version of "Frankie Teardrop" and at the last 25 seconds of the recording the listener can hear Vega angrily bellow "SHUT THE FUCK UP!" at the unruly booing audience.

Their second album I purchased on iTunes The second Album+The first Rehearsal Tapes is probably a better place for new listeners to start. The rerelease contains more songs that have a catchier poppier beat and are more accessible to newcomers while still containing plenty of experimental stripped down tracks that would appeal to more seasoned listeners of Suicide.
My personal favorite tracks are "Fast Money Music"; "Dream Baby Dream"; "Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne" and the non album track "Radiation".