Mainframe - Tenants Of The Lattice-Work
Ripped from a vinyl album released on Mc² Records (MC 007) in 1983 to high resolution 24-bit flac audio. To end today's rush of synth-wavey goodness, here is the classic (and very rare) album from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire computer geeks Mainframe. Best known for their pop-dance hit 5 Minutes, it was really their album which stands out as their legacy work, though the limited sales weren't as fruitful as the aforementioned single.
In essence the album works as a concept piece - that should be enough to scare away a few of you, but fear not, this is actually good, serving as a pre-cursor to other talented synthesized indie popsters like Sudden Sway and Jesus Couldn't Drum. The concept seems to revolve a round a competition or quest involving the music and lyrics and a video (which required an additional purchase). Those keen to enter had to complete and return the inserted pamphlet which reminds me of an old exam paper. Its all a bit silly and I doubt many would have attempted entry. Thankfully the record is really good, composed with Moogs and good old Roland Junos. The drum machine was programmed on an old Apple II computer which must have been quite advanced in 1983!
The track names are not listed on the album, so I have used the titles as listed on the band's website. There are only 7 or 8 songs proper, with many short intermittent pieces which clearly were supposed to be used a clues in the competition. There are a couple of tiny skips on my copy, most of which have been edited out for quality purposes, so apologies in advance if I missed any, they should all just add to the authenticity of the vinyl experience. Enjoy.
A1 Login, Please
A2 Start The New Day
A3 Take The Road
A4 Home Early
A5 One Last Word
A6 Machine Beside Machine
A7 Disoriented
A8 The Lattice
B1 Breakfast Transmission
B2 Beyond All Reach
B3 Intermission
B4 Preparing To Go
B5 Strange Sequence
B6 Let Me Go!
B7 The Key
B8 Final Clues
