Sunday, November 23, 2008

Re-upped: FM - City of Fear (1980)

Unless you're from Canada or just a geek for obscure prog, the name FM will probably not ring a bell. Not to be confused with the UK artists of the same name, this band was formed in Ottawa in the early 70's and went on to release a string of critically acclaimed albums before splitting numerous times in the 80's and 90's. The earliest and most widely recognized lineup featured Cameron Hawkins (vocals/bass/synths), Martin Deller (drums/percussion) and renaissance weirdo Nash the Slash (viola/electric mandolin). This lineup recorded the excellent "Black Noise" album in 1977 only to find Nash embarking on a solo career the following year. In his absence, the now famous songwriter Ben Mink was drafted as his replacement.

Like the previous FM entry here, this also featured Ben Mink. In fact, this was to be his last recording with the band before the return of Nash the Slash a few years later. Personally, I consider this to be the band's finest album. Though it is noticeably more commercial, the excess has been stripped away, resulting in an album full of compact hook driven neo progressive rock. Cameron Hawkins puts in his finest vocal performance ever laid to tape and Mink's sinewy electric mandolin playing brings a very dissonant vibe to the proceedings. The album as a whole is very dark, which compliments the bands sound very well.

Like most of the band's repertoire, this has never been issued on CD. A fire at Passport Records' storage vault destroyed everything within, including the masters to "City of Fear". Considering that this album will likely never see digital conversion, this particular download will be a pleasant surprise for fans. Ripped from pristine vinyl, here it is...."City of Fear".

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please reupload.. Megaupload says the file is expired.

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

please... please

Anonymous said...

I second the comments above: Please re-up. My vinyl copy got destroyed during a move years ago... and no CD release on the horizon either...

Thanks

jp said...

I agree :please reupload it, and thank you for the great music I discover here.

Anonymous said...

I'M WITH THESE GUYS PLEASE RE-UP.
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Another request to re-upload this, the best FM album (did you know one song, "Lost and Found", was featured in the '81 movie "Incubus"? It was the song a soon-to-be-victim was listening to in the shower before her demise).

Anonymous said...

Ditto that. Could I entice you to re-up it, by offering to swap for the (admittedly so-so) 1981 LP, "Children of the night" by Nash the Slash?

Anonymous said...

yes please please can this be reuploaded!
Just now found your most impressive blog! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Another for a re-up!

Jason M. Rubin said...

PLEASE REPOST!!!!

OMG XYZ PDQ LOL YYZ

PLEASE!!!!

Anonymous said...

j...could you please re-up City Of Fear

Anonymous said...

Begging for a re-up

Pat said...

I am with all the rest Please Re Up

Jason M. Rubin said...

Dude told me a re-up was coming, but he didn't say when. Hopefully it's soon, so let's be patient.

Anonymous said...

PLEASE RE UPLOAD! I NEED THIS ALBUM!!!! I'd be willing to upload FM's Black Noise Album in return.

Skydogg said...

It's alive?

Anonymous said...

J, thanks for the re-up on this great work. You are the best!

Conspiracy Theologian said...

Thanks very much for sharing this one.!

sleyja said...

Great stuff. The first three FM albums received a lot of airplay in Texas.

Jason M. Rubin said...

HUZZAH!!! All praise to J! You rock the house, bro. Many, many thanks for re-upping this great, great album.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic.
Thank you!!!

Anonymous said...

I love!

Unknown said...

Thanks for having this available. I am Canadian and saw FM several times throughout their career. They have reunited at times for a concert or two. I have a friend who works (or did work) with Martin Deller. I had all their vinyl including the D2D LP you have elsewhere on your site.

Jeff said...

IMHO this is the best FM lp...I just bought a double vinyl version on eBay which includes an interview disc...I'm waiting on delivery and when it arrives I'd be happy to upload and share.
cheers,
jeff

JKR said...

That'd be fantastic. I'd love to hear the interview for sure.

Jeff said...

Hey guys & gals...here's the link for the FM City Of Fear interview disc. What a find on eBay! It came with a press kit and an 8x10 glossy, which I've scanned and included...enjoy!

http://www.sendspace.com/file/yi4e72

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for sharing this! I saw FM open for Rush on the Moving Pictures tour in support of this album. I tried unsuccessfully ripping a digital copy of my vinyl but you did a much better job and you files sound really clean. Rock on!

bobbysu said...

thank you so much

terribletee56 said...

I had ripped this from my own vinyl, and I was pretty happy with it until I heard this. Much thanks from a LONG-time FM fan!

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for this. now if i could only find "surveillance" somewhere, my "want" list would finally be complete. cheers to you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much.Mike

Karl Elvis said...

The download links are all expired, let me know if you you need a place to host this.

Meanwhile, I really really need it.

--Karl

Soo-Hyun Chung said...

It's 2012 and I know I'm late to the game but I just discovered FM!! Any chance of reuploading? Pretty please!!