Minny Pops, Sparks in a Dark Room (side A)

Minny Pops' use of electronics, processing, and awkward song-like structures is distinctive, if not entirely original, in the post-punk genre. The weak point of 1982's Sparks in a Dark Room is the vocals, which are very derivative of Ian Curtis without being particularly powerful. Minny Pops hailed from Amsterdam and released several singles in addition to this album. Sparks in a Dark Room sounds good and looks great, with impressively austere packaging that looks both commercial and worn-out. I also find it interesting that the Plurex label, which members of Minny Pops helped form, released the Twinkeyz album.