(New Wave / Post-Punk) [WEB] Film Noir - Never Ending Dream + 7'' (Compilation) - 2013, FLAC (tracks), lossless

Film Noir might have been short-lived but they are still considered an outstanding Greek new wave band of the 80s mainly because of their first album titled “Never Ending Dream“.
The band was formed in 1985 and soon started playing live mostly in the Cat’s Meow Club on Syggrou Avenue in Athens. Their singer, Maria-Gabriela Loukaki (Mariella), was a great performer on stage, reminiscent of Siouxsie Sioux. The band’s songs were closely in line with the styles of The Cure, Xmal Deutchland, as well as Siouxsie and the Banshees. Their drummer, S. Adam (Spyros Floros), was the former drummer of the punk rock band, Ausschwitss, while their guitar player, Kostas Sokialis, produced several other records, such as the electro single of the band In Trance 95.
Film Noir released the album “Never Ending Dream” in 1986 through an independent label and the album slowly received a cult status, especialy in the late the 90s.
Mariella left the band in late 1987, moving to Australia for a while to become a model. Without their female singer the band looked like they had a huge problem and soon lost their musical identity.
They also released a second album in 1990 titled “Portrait of a Child“. This time they had a male singer behind the mic and the sound was very close to David Sylvian‘s Japan. Their bass player, Coti K. (Kyriakou), later produced bands such as Tuxedomoon, Stereo Nova, The Flowers of Romance, and Raining Pleasure. He still releases very interesting abstract electronica albums.
Sadly, Mariella Loukaki passed away at the age of 33 after losing her battle with cancer. (c) tribe4mian.wordpress.com

All is black when the lights are on
nothing rhymes it’s been so long…
A romantic work endowed with a cinematically delivered ambivalence… A collective of obscure sound maneuvers accompanying sculptured figures as those do perpetually induce imagery, sentimental vigilance and movement… It is somewhere within this low-lighting scene, that Film Noir appear… It is somewhere within this sweet melancholic ambience that Film Noir denote their musical existence… Born in the mid ‘80s, out of seminal dark-wave acts Final Sense and Hands of Cain, Film Noir positioned themselves in a special manner within the Greek underground musical milieu. Playing a mixture of dreamlike new wave and dark wave, the group not only appealed to the audience but it also demonstrated the strong musical impetus of the relevant national scene. Never-Ending Dream was the group’s first work (originally released in 1986). In fact, including six artfully delivered syntheses, this mini-album was soon to become an absolute rarity, sought after by fans and collectors. Not so strange might one think judging those syntheses’ fullness, considering those songs’ dynamics in terms of coherence and inspiration. First, the song Excuse: a proper introduction to a romantic journey impelled by the Fluid Idols toward the melancholic spin of the Drowned Kiss; an authentic dark-wave masterpiece. Following, Decry, a resurface to rhythmically (however, seemingly) brighter landscapes further explored as one gets exposed to the Rainfall. And then, Sin a thoughtful song seemingly ending the Never Ending Dream whilst re-revealing the continuous inner-tension characterizing the album.
Finally, this re-release is accompanied by a 7” single including two previously unreleased tracks. More precisely, Passion of Memories and Glass, further dreamy and sophisticated sound strokes see the light of day 26 years after their recording and happily provide us all with additional material from this special act.
Never Ending Dream Lp plus Passion of Memories/Glass 7” single come in a strongly limited edition of 500 copies so act fast! (c)

Mariella Gabriela Loukaki (R.I.P.) - vocals.
Kostas Sokialis - vocals, guitar, keybords.
Kiriakos Coti - vocals, bass.
Vassilis Nakis - keyboards.
S. Adam - drums.

Recorded somewhere in Athens between April and November 1986.
Produced by Film Noir + Chris Manolistis + Greg -V- Vaios.
All songs mixed by Film Noir + Chris Manolistis.
All songs written by Film Noir except "Excuse" written by Film Noir + Tasos Karatzis.
Lyrics by Mariella.
Remastering was made at Sonic Shelter Studios during the winter of 2012.