Yet another early 80's re-release from LTM Records, The Names were a Belgian band who worked on the post-punk template set up by Joy Division and decorated it with their European flourishes. Despite being commercial no-marks this reissue has much to recommend it. The single 'Nightshift' (not released on the original album) could have been an outtake from Joy Division's 'Closer'; intense vocals, dark, almost cinematic keyboards and an insistent vocal all adding to the sense of unease; another extra track 'The Astronaut' possesses similar qualities. The album itself, despite its almost overbearing (at times) bass sound stands up to the test of time fairly well, particularly 'Discovery', 'The Fire' and 'White Shadow', all icy, austere examples of the post-punk era.
Yet another early 80's re-release from LTM Records, The Names were a Belgian band who worked on the post-punk template set up by Joy Division and decorated it with their European flourishes. Despite being commercial no-marks this reissue has much to recommend it. The single 'Nightshift' (not released on the original album) could have been an outtake from Joy Division's 'Closer'; intense vocals, dark, almost cinematic keyboards and an insistent vocal all adding to the sense of unease; another extra track 'The Astronaut' possesses similar qualities. The album itself, despite its almost overbearing (at times) bass sound stands up to the test of time fairly well, particularly 'Discovery', 'The Fire' and 'White Shadow', all icy, austere examples of the post-punk era.
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