Pink Turns Blue was founded in Cologne in 1985, but their overall morose aesthetic and english lyrics didn’t really fit in with the “Neue Deutsche Welle” that included Grauzone, D.A.F., Liaisons Dangereuses, etc. The influence of Husker Du is immediately clear, but they were also fans of Siouxie, Joy Division, Killing Joke, among others. This spotless collection of influences made it easier to reach an international fanbase, but did them few favors in Germany, where the group struggled to find a label to release their music. After a few false starts, founding member, singer and guitarist Tom Elbern left the band in Spring 1987, leading the band to start auditions for a replacement. When one wasn’t forthcoming, the band decided to make it work (s/o to Mr. Tim Gunn) as a three piece with former bassist Mic Jogwer taking over guitar and vocal duties, leading to the other members of the group playing multiple instruments on each song, sometimes simultaneously. The audience responded well to this potentially perilous setup, leading them to a record deal with Munich indie label FunFactory!. The label’s manager was a die-hard fan of Warhol, The Velvets, and The Factory and used many of their guerilla marketing tactics to promote his new charges. Jogwer recalls, “The record came out at the end of 1987 and changed everything. People started to know the songs and came just because of us. Suddenly we were a real band.” Overall, the record is on-the-grid post-punk with a lo-fi, buzzy quality. The album’s first single is “Walking On Both Sides”, energetic jangle with charmingly organic vocals. “When The Hammer Comes Down” is a relatively rollicking number, XTC crossed with The Cure. This is the first ever reissue of this album, and was remastered by local Brooklyn legend Josh Bonati.  Includes bonus track "A Moment Sometimes", exclusive to this pressing. The LP is pressed on limited edition clear red vinyl and includes a printed inner sleeve with full album lyrics.

• first legitimate US pressing of this LP
• transparent red vinyl pressing
• printed inner sleeve
• digital download included
• limited to 400 copies
• music label: Dais Records 2019

reviewed by xxx 07/2019