Retrospects, The - s/t LP

It took us one listen to be addicted! RETROSPECTS are an Ottawa, Canada based bunch of synth-driven maniacs around vocalist Ian Manhire. Known as the front guy – a legend – of THE WHITE WIRES and THE SEDATIVES and one of our fave punk rock power pop songwriters of the early 2000s. After the WHITE WIRES there has been NEW CALLING, and this was already a warning sign to hold our breath, but the RETROSPECTS are overwhelmingly stunning. This is the new wave synthpunk on catchy hooks and infectious melodies – did he hold them back in the front pocket for a decade or what? The RETROSPECTS are the band which would play nightly in the-soon-to-be-established ALIEN SNATCH! abandoned beach disco branch! The band members gotta be 80's synthpop wizards. According to our unpaid Canadian gig agents it's THREE (!!) synth players on stage, this is a pure midi-magic universe with fascinating ultra sharp pop songwriting. The album has twelve originals and you name anyone, it's a hit! One song is instrumental only, "Bank Street Punks", and an absolute banger. RETROSPECTS didn't use computer programs, it's just analog synthesizers and hardware gear. Recorded in a historic 1850s stone church in rural Canada at the legendary Studio Cimitière, and you can hear the ancient aesthetic for sure. Reissue of their self-titled debut record from 2025, lim. 100 copies on the band's own VINTAGE VOLTAGE label. The vinyl pressing has a pounding bass, don't dare listening on an app! Shout out for the French FISH & CHEAP Records, releasing "Shattered" and "In My Dreams Before" on the way in a 50 edition lathe cut. New artwork by Sam Torzina and A-Hule-Hule. Recolored vinyl pressing of 461 copies.