Martin Rev is better known as the noisier half of the incredible NYC group Suicide. Though Suicide put out a few additional albums over the years (the latest in 1988), both Rev and partner Alan Vega put out some top-notch (and not-so-top-notch) solo records. The earlier ones are best, I’ve found.
This record is very reminiscent of was Suicide was doing– minimal, droney washes over speady beats– but you can tell Rev is using his freedom to really experiment with the additional synth tools he had at his disposal. It’s really good stuff, I think.
I’d say that the best thing the two ever did was the live Suicide album Zero Hour, which is comprised of two concerts from the late 70s in New York and Berlin.
Martin Rev, “Baby O Baby” from the Martin Rev LP on Infidelity records (1980)
Suicide, “Dream Baby Dream”:
Relatedly, here’s a great video of Alan Vega’s “Jukebox Babe” from French TV.
