In 1986, Black Tape For A Blue Girl's darkly mesmerizing debut The Rope appeared on the underground rock scene. It kicked off a rich and diverse musical career for Projekt founder / Blacktape songwriter Sam Rosenthal. Now 25 years later, Projekt celebrates this momentous anniversary with The Rope 25, a 2-CD set including The Rope re-mastered and a bonus disc of current Projekt artists' reinterpretations of the material. Eight-page lyrics booklet included while supplies last, so order now!
Rosenthal's electronics coupled with his angst-filled, introspective lyrics established Black Tape For A Blue Girl's position beyond the traditional "gothic" sound. His lyrics overflow with the emptiness of a shattered soul and broken heart revealing a dark, tortured man scanning the wreckage in search of love, understanding, and connection. The timeless blend of Oscar Herrera's passionate vocals intertwining with warm electronic soundscapes and soothing ambient passages creates an album similiar to 80 s-era releases on 4AD and Factory Records.

Opening the album is the rhythmic, hard-hitting "Memory Uncaring Friend," along the lines of Peter Murphy or Gang of Four. Following this striking opener, the music takes a more subtle turn: gently disorienting, autumnal, mesmerizing, mournful, full of wonder and elusive grandeur. Upon The Rope's release, comparisons were made to Cocteau Twins, Brian Eno, Phillip Glass and Chris & Cosey.

In 1986, Star Hits magazine wrote, "Black Tape For A Blue Girl's The Rope is like the musical equivalent of a nervous breakdown. Complete with dark, scary lyrics that make The Smiths sound like Alvin and the Chipmunks, this might give you an idea of what mental anguish sounds like. It is an experiment worth hearing." Option Magazine speculated, "The lyrics are of a masochistic nature, which reflects a probable suicide in the writer's future. Sung by and for those in love with self-misery." Many of the lyrics (and accompanying stories with the instrumentals) on The Rope dwell upon suicide as a response to a lack of love; an attempt to derive affirmation after the writer had left. "I cared for you more than you ever knew, I do this to show you now." Oscar sings on the title track. "I see my answer on the end of a rope, the world turned cold for me." While the final song - "We Return" - looks to others in a similar situation as a solace for the pain and emptiness. "From the black house, we return. Clutching secrets, we must learn." A glimmer of hope.

On Disc 2, the current Black Tape For A Blue Girl line-up performs "Memory, Uncaring Friend" as a driving rock song, equal parts Bauhaus, Gary Numan and a darkly-caffeinated Sinatra. "Working with Brian of the Dresden Dolls on drums and guitar," Rosenthal says, "we captured the song as I would have performed it if live in '86. It's aggressive, brash, tense and loud! All elements that a song about betrayal and self-destruction require. Athan Maroulis' vocals reflect back to Oscar's performance while giving the song new drama and immediacy."

Other equally innovative reinterpretations include All My Faith Lost's neo-classical "The Rope," Mirabilis' haunting a capella "The Floor Was Hard But Home," Lux Interna's neo-folk "We Return," Attrition's dark, electronic "Memory, Uncaring Friend," and Erik Wollo's electronic/soundtracky "Within These Walls." A poignant moment is when Walter Holland re-works the original multi-track recording of "Seven Days til Sunrise," as this track features the clarinet of his late musical partner Richard Watson from the band Amber Route. Hand-picked and sequenced by Rosenthal, this second disc looks back at The Rope while projecting the songs into modern times.

10 Neurotics reimagines the passion of Black Tape For A Blue Girl (and visionary founder / songwriter, Sam Rosenthal) in a rock / dark cabaret setting. Sam challenged himself to put the electronics and lushness aside; he wrote these songs on the acoustic guitar, an instrument he had never played before. The results bear a more considered approach to songwriting: structured, melodic and dare say even "traditional" in composition. It is a new approach to the mood and power for which Blacktape is known.

Featuring drum kit and bass for the first time in 20 years (courtesy of new band-member Brian Viglione of The Dresden Dolls & The Cliks), these fourteen songs are revealing first person narratives. These are stories so unnerving and personal that 10 Neurotics features an all-new line-up; the previous vocalists quit the group out of discomfort with the content.

Sam explains, "Many of the scenes take place in the fetish lifestyle: a culture of heightened sexuality, relationship dynamics, power and control. I set out to create an album that looks at our sexuality, obsessions and fetishes with a mature (rather than sensationalized) eye. Our life is a constant churning of desires, sometimes overtaking us - more often subverted, submerged and repressed. I wanted to directly confront reality: who are we when the disguise is stripped away? I wrote from real life as a way to plug directly into the core of pure experience without filtering it, I developed something genuinely fresh and vital."

"These songs demanded a rock-n-roll drummer to be successful, a drummer who could rock out as well as play subtle and textural passages. I went for the best and asked Brian." Impressed with the music, he quickly joined the band.

"Brian became much more involved than past band members, providing brilliant performances, insightful suggestions and co-producing the album. His enthusiasm reinforced my belief that I was onto something with this new direction. If I hesitated, Brian pushed me out of the safety net, `No man. Leave it in. Don't hold back!' Brian told me to take it to the edge, tell the stories I wanted to tell, use the images I wanted to use!"

The songs deal with a range of taboo topics: dominance/submission, furries, police state fetishists, pro-anna, exhibitionists, humiliation, self-destruction, cuckolding, and anonymous sex.

Sam looks at his characters non-critically without judgements or excuses for their actions. Like people in our real lives, they succumb to their urges and obsessions unaware of their place on the continuum from the erotic to the neurotic.

2 CDs for the price of a single disc. black tape for a blue girl's achingly beautiful neo-classical, ethereal, darkwave classic is given a 10th anniversary re-release with a bonus disc of additional music. Long droning deep tones overlayed by intense vocals from Oscar and Lucian as well as rich cello and violin arrangements from Vicki and Mera. The results are deeply mesmerizing and melancholy passages. The finished 77-minute album is Black tape's masterpiece: exquisite and stunning. Wrapped up in the emotions of betrayal and salvation, searching for the deeper fragments of a truer reality -- somewhere between sadness and hope -- Sam's words and harmonies weave a soft, opaque veil over a world where feeling is foremost, emotions on the surface, the heart laid bare.

Included are the ultra rare pieces, originally released on the with my sorrow maxi on Italy's Amplexus label; also featuring 3 live songs recorded at the 1996 Projektfest (the first time live tracks have appeared on a black tape for a blue girl release).

"The ethereal, romantic sounds of Remnants is their richest work so far: tapestries of melancholic, often neo-classical music manifest themselves amidst waves of Rosenthal's lush keyboards, haunting strings and the vocals of Oscar & Lucian." - huh magazine

"These songs are remnants of universal feelings that accompany the experience of bonding with another human being and its aftermath - perhaps this is why the group has attained a strong cult following." - Magnet Magazine

"Absolutely beautiful, bleeding emotion wonderfully portrayed." - ink19

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All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

Full title - With A Million Tear-Stained Memories. As the ultimate collection from this legendary American band, with a million tear-stained memories presents highlights from their first 17 years...31 brilliant tracks for fans and the curious alike. Limited to 2250 pieces & individually numbered, this 2-CD set is divided into a vocal and an instrumental disc, presenting the two unique sides of this ethereal, ambient act. Projekt. 2003.

2 CDs for the price of a single disc. black tape for a blue girl's achingly beautiful neo-classical, ethereal, darkwave classic is given a 10th anniversary re-release with a bonus disc of additional music. Long droning deep tones overlayed by intense vocals from Oscar and Lucian as well as rich cello and violin arrangements from Vicki and Mera. The results are deeply mesmerizing and melancholy passages. The finished 77-minute album is Black tape's masterpiece: exquisite and stunning. Wrapped up in the emotions of betrayal and salvation, searching for the deeper fragments of a truer reality -- somewhere between sadness and hope -- Sam's words and harmonies weave a soft, opaque veil over a world where feeling is foremost, emotions on the surface, the heart laid bare.

Included are the ultra rare pieces, originally released on the with my sorrow maxi on Italy's Amplexus label; also featuring 3 live songs recorded at the 1996 Projektfest (the first time live tracks have appeared on a black tape for a blue girl release).

"The ethereal, romantic sounds of Remnants is their richest work so far: tapestries of melancholic, often neo-classical music manifest themselves amidst waves of Rosenthal's lush keyboards, haunting strings and the vocals of Oscar & Lucian." - huh magazine

"These songs are remnants of universal feelings that accompany the experience of bonding with another human being and its aftermath - perhaps this is why the group has attained a strong cult following." - Magnet Magazine

"Absolutely beautiful, bleeding emotion wonderfully portrayed." - ink19

All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.