Genre: Synthpop / Experimental / Wave

01 Rosary I
02 Windfall
03 Rosary II
04 In the line of fire
05 Rosary III
06 Snail’s Burial 07 Rosary IV
08 Happy at all
09 Rosary V
10 Naked
11 Rosary VI
12 Breath
13 Rosary VII
14 Another week
15 Rosary VIII
16 Europe side down
17 Rosary IX
18 Beads
19 Rosary X
20 Cross
21 Rosary XI
22 Stutter
23 Rosary XII
24 Calvary
25 Rosary XIII
26 Fight time
27 Rosary XIV
28 Three faint fires
29 Rosary XV
30 Immaculate

The world of wonders hasn’t ended yet. This is not an artist with a similar name, or a tribute act, no; this is the actual Parade Ground! If a light bulb hasn’t been turned on above your head right now, let me clarify. Parade Ground released their last CD in 1988, which is now 20 years ago. It doesn’t happen that often that an artist releases a new record after such a long time. But it has actually arrived, the new Parade Ground, entitled “Rosary”. The CD is released by Sleep Walking Records, which is a new label as can be seen by the catalogue number of “Rosary”.

With 30 tracks, this isn’t your average Pop record. Although it has some polite winks to the Pop music of nowadays, “Rosary” mostly reminds of the famous material from Joy Division and other bands alike, mixed with (extreme) Synthpop experiments. A classic combination and when stuffed in one concept-album a guaranteed success. “Rosary” sounds relaxing and comfortable for half of its time. For the other half it sounds experimental, somewhat scary and dark. This combination is being expanded by the use of a short 30-second track in between of every track which sets the mood for the upcoming song. These short tracks are called “Rosary” and guide the listener through the release. The experimental factor on “Rosary” can be seen as positive or negative because the listener maybe wanting to experience the easier listenable music without the sounds of feedbacking instruments and the slap-back delay effects. So the listener must definitely be prepared for a listening journey which isn’t for the weak.

Although Parade Ground is an oldie compared with all the other artists in the Synthpop and Wave scene heard nowadays, they have listened to the music out there. “Rosary” sounds like they were seeking for an edge to cross, but they didn’t succeeded in achieving that. “Rosary” sounds like the Post-punk music heard on old-school Vinyl discs but is undeniably a 2007 release. “Rosary” is both ugly and beautiful at the same time and not one track can be skipped. The effect of the in between tracks is highly valuable. When a “Rosary” track is skipped, the track after that is just different and stops to bring the feeling it supposes to bring. This release is a project, a journey, a road or just a straight abyss.

It doesn’t happen that often indeed that an older artist releases a new record. And what almost never happens is that an oldie releases an album which tops their old material. Parade Ground succeeded in accompanying that limited list of artists who have achieved that. With “Rosary” they are back in business and even better than before. With this release they have shown that they haven’t forgotten themselves, now it is up to the listeners to show they haven’t forgotten Parade Ground. This will not be a € 17,50 badly spend.