#498 of 500
· Rolling Stone
“The back half of the RS500 is where the interesting debates live. Suicide's Suicide (1977) is electronic that transcends its genre tag. The original pressing is the one to find — the kind of record that stops you mid-flip at the store.”
Suicide was an avant-garde electronic duo formed in New York City in 1970 by Alan Vega and Martin Rev. They pioneered the use of synthesizers in punk and post-punk music, creating a raw, minimalist sound that predated and influenced both synth-punk and industrial music. Their self-titled 1977 debut album featured the electronic cult classic 'Ghost Rider,' and established them as innovators despite initial critical resistance. Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, they released influential albums including 'Alan Vega and Martin Rev' (1980) and 'A Way Out' (1986), collaborating with producer Ric Ocasek. The band reunited multiple times for performances and recordings, maintaining a devoted following among experimental and electronic music enthusiasts until Vega's death in 2018.
Style
Suicide created sparse, hypnotic electronic music combining synthesizers, drum machines, and Vega's often distorted vocals. Their sound merged punk rock intensity with avant-garde electronic experimentation, characterized by repetitive synth loops, primitive beats, and an unsettling, dystopian aesthetic.
Significance
As vinyl collectors' items, Suicide's original 1977 debut and 'Alan Vega and Martin Rev' are highly sought-after for their groundbreaking synthesis of electronics and punk. They remain crucial to understanding the development of electronic music, post-punk, and industrial genres, making their vinyl releases essential for collectors interested in electronic music's foundational artists.
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