Abecedarians – Eureka

Well, what I hold in my hands is a dream come true for Abecedarians fans. Originally released in 1986, the Abecedarians released their debut mini-album Eureka in strict limited run (only 500 numbered copies pressed for their fans). It was around this time that they also had their first single, Smiling Monarchs”, released on legendary Factory Records out of Manchester, England. What this CD release brings together is Eureka in its original running order along with songs recorded from that era plus the 2 songs recorded and released by Factory Records in 1985 and mixed by Joy Division/New Order’s Bernard Sumner. The opening track “Ghosts” is a very haunting track and will remind the listener of gloomy moody music that was emerging from the UK during the late 1970’s/ early 1980’s. Joy Division, early New Order, 17 Seconds / Faith / Pornography era Cure influences abound throughout this release. Reverb on the instruments and Chris Manecke’s vocals set the tone for late night listening in the dark.
“Smiling Monarchs”, “Benway’s Carnival”, and “Switch” are laced with synth and will appeal to fans of the recent cold wave / minimal synth movement. As for the rest of the CD, if you grew up in Los Angeles in the mid-late 1980’s you’d most likely to have heard an Abecedarians track being played on the local college radio station or caught them at the Scream Night Club at the Park View Plaza. Their sound captured everything that was happening in the Los Angeles & Orange County underground art rock – indie rock scene along with bands like Savage Republic, Drowning Pool, Psi-Com, Homeland, Red Temple Spirits, and others. “Misery of Cities” sums up the vibe of this era. The versions of “Wild Flower (Wild Flowers Grow from Trash)” and “They Said Tomorrow” (this demo version has nice sounding keyboards featured) are the early 80’s demos that made their way on the Bruce Licher Independent Project Records The Other Side of the Fence 2x10” release in 1991. Both of these tracks would appear a few years later in a more rockin’ sound on their Resin LP and the Scream compilation.
For further listening track down the bonus CD that comes with the blue vinyl edition that is only available directly from the Pylon records website as this bonus CD contains more demos and alternative versions. It is also available in standard black vinyl and would make a fine addition to any vinyl collection. Pylon Records and the Abecedarians have come this far in making this release happen and maybe the future holds a deluxe edition release of Resin as that album was never released on CD either.