Suicide - Alan Vega and Martin Rev (1980)

“Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin Rev” is the second studio album by the American band Suicide. The album was produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars for Ze Records in 1980. Recorded in January 1980, Ocasek gave keyboardist Martin Rev new equipment to perform on, while Alan Vega distanced himself from the album musically to concentrate on the vocals. Michael Zilkha of Ze, pushed to give the album a more dance music oriented sound, hoping that disco musician Giorgio Moroder would produce the album. After a tour opening for the group The Cars, Alan Vega received a call from Michael Zilkha of Ze Records asking if he could sign Suicide to his label. Zilkha gave producer Ric Ocasek a copy of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" single stating that that song is what Suicide should sound like. “Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin Rev” was produced without pay by Ocasek at the Power Station studios. Power Station was a very expensive studio at that time and was used by acts such as Chic and Bruce Springsteen. The album was recorded in January 1980.

Ocasek had provided the group with new equipment when in the studio, many of which keyboardist Martin Rev had not played before production had started. Bruce Springsteen was recording an album next door to Suicide and visited them during the production of the album. Alan Vega was less involved with this album musically in comparison to their previous album stating that the music was more of a collaboration of Ocasek and Rev while Vega "concentrated on the vocals". The songs "Harlem" and "Touch Me" were written and being performed after the production of the release of the duo's first album. The album was released in May 1980 and was listed on the NME's top albums of the year.

Track listing

01.  "Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne"  - 3:21
02.  "Mr. Ray (to Howard T.)"  - 5:14
03.  "Sweetheart"  - 3:37
04.  "Fast Money Music"  - 3:08
05.  "Touch Me"  - 4:24
06.  "Harlem"  - 6:38
07.  "Be Bop Kid"  - 2:13
08.  "Las Vegas Man"  - 4:10
09.  "Shadazz"  - 4:25
10.  "Dance"  - 3:23

Credits
Alan Vega – vocals
Martin Rev – electronics
Ric Ocasek – producer
Larry Alexander – engineer
Tony Wright – cover art
Producer: Ric Ocasek

Notes
Recorded January 1980 at Power Station Studios, New York City
All songs written by Martin Rev and Alan Vega
Genre:  Experimental Electronic, New York Punk
Length:  40:33
Label:  ZE Records

© 1980