The March Violets - Play Loud Play Purple

An also-ran on the post-punk scene by today’s standards, The March Violets were part of the Leeds drum machine clique that also included Sisters of Mercy and Red Lorry Yellow Lorry.  Releasing a string of singles and EPs that earned plenty of press in the U.K., there wasn’t much momentum across the pond until Snake Dance – a thumping dark wave ditty if there ever was one – tossed them into the goth rock discard pile.  It also effectively spelled the end of the band, with key members jumping ship or forming solo projects. 

But those early recordings are well-overdue for critical reappraisal, with tracks like Radiant Boys and Crow Babydelivering jagged guitar riffs and dissonant vocal duets reminiscent of L.A. punk pioneers X.  Lead vocalist Simon Denbigh avoids gothic pretensions, shrieking and snarling with an unexpected vocal range that meshes wonderfully with Rosie Garland.  Drifting up the playlist, Slow Drip Lizard massages a Gang of Four­-style riff into bursts of dance floor energy while Walk into the Sun sees the band pushed into a pure pop direction.

 

Cut up into multiple compilations, the Violets never released a proper album until their reunion in 2010.  But Jungle Records provides the best retrospective yet for those seeking an introduction.  Play Loud Play Purple is a 2LP limited purple vinyl that contains all the recordings released on the Rebirth and Merciful Release labels between 1982 and 1985 plus three tracks from the new self-released titles.  It’s one hell of a beautiful looking package that cuts right to the best material.  Also available, Big Soul Kiss – the BBC recordings (John Peel was an early champion) and The Palace of Infinite Darkness, a 5CD box set with every listed above plus two CDs of unreleased rarities and a booklet.

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