OTR: B-Movie - Remembrance Days
One of the best bands that no one has heard of, B-Movie is best known for "Nowhere Girl," a track that became increasingly successful as the years passed. The band had long broken up when "Nowhere Girl" was placed into rotation of the 1980s retro circuit. There are numerous version of the track available (each B-Movie compilation that has been released has one), however, the versions DJs want to get their hands on if they wish to most effectively fill the dance floor are the single edit from the 200 Cigarettes soundtrack and the extended 12" version available on Just Say Yesterday.
"Nowhere Girl" paints B-Movie as some sort of hybrid between New Order and A Flock of Seagulls (the guitar tremolo in the song matches that used in the latter band's "I Ran"). However, a listen to any of their other material tells a different story entirely. Remembrance Days is a compilation of the band's EPs and singles. This is essential listening for any fan of post punk and new wave. The vocals and synths are icy - the synth lines bearing a striking resemblance to that of early Ultravox (which isn't nearly as lush as "Vienna" or "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes"). The vocals of Steve Hovington recall a cross between Ian Curtis (of Joy Division - who else?) and Robbie Grey of Modern English on any track prior to "I Melt With You." More Joy Division comparisons arise when one focuses on the percussion: the traditional post-punk levelling with the snare high in the mix and extra reverb on the kick drum is in full-force here. I suspect I'm hearing a bit of Gang of Four and The Cure during Pornography as well.
The subject matter of the songs is expectedly dismal. However, therein lies much reward for those wishing to move beyond "Nowhere Girl." Ease yourself in with "The Soldier Stood Alone," "Left Out in the Cold," "Remembrance Day" and "Aeroplanes and Mountains."
