Enigma Variations (album)
Encyclopedia
The Enigma Variations is a compilation album of newer artists (in 1985) that were on Enigma Records
or one of its subsidiaries. It was originally released as a double LP and cassette, but was then subsequently also released as a CD with a reduced number of tracks. The album was compiled by Steve Pross and William Hein. The Greek pressing of the album (on Virgin Records
) was issued as a single LP.
A second volume was compiled and released in 1987.
Disc 1, Side 2
Disc 2, Side 1
Disc 2, Side 2
Side 2
Enigma Records
Enigma Records was a popular rock and alternative American record label in the 1980s. It was initially a division of Greenworld Distribution, an independent music importer/distributor, which it split-off from in 1985 to become its own company...
or one of its subsidiaries. It was originally released as a double LP and cassette, but was then subsequently also released as a CD with a reduced number of tracks. The album was compiled by Steve Pross and William Hein. The Greek pressing of the album (on Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
) was issued as a single LP.
A second volume was compiled and released in 1987.
US LP
Disc 1, Side 1- Screamin' SirensScreamin' SirensScreamin' Sirens were an all-women band that combined country music, punk rock, rockabilly and a dash of funk for their own wild party music. They pre-dated what is usually referred to as alternative country, but undoubtedly influenced it. They were based in Hollywood, California...
- Maniac 2:38 - Jet Black Berries - Shadowdrive 4:41
- Naked PreyNaked PreyNaked Prey was a rock band from Tucson, Arizona formed in 1982 by former Green on Red drummer Van Christian and David Seeger, who had been in the original lineup of the Giant Sandworms as well as The Pedestrians, a band credited with having performed the first punk rock show in Tucson...
- Flesh On The Wall 2:34 - Tex & the HorseheadsTex & the HorseheadsTex & the Horseheads is an American punk rock band, which emerged in the Los Angeles punk subculture of the early-1980s. Their original run was from 1980 to 1986, and during this time they enjoyed a sizeable cult following...
- Oh Mother 2:55 - Greg SageGreg SageGreg Sage was the principal songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist for the influential Portland, Oregon-based punk rock band Wipers. Greg Sage's first recording was on the pro-wrestler Beauregarde's full length album, released in 1971 . He met Beauregarde, recorded and played with him when he was only...
- Straight Ahead 4:10 - Chris D. / Divine HorsemenThe Divine HorsemenDivine Horsemen were a punk/roots band founded in 1983 by Chris D. , formerly of L.A. punk rock band The Flesh Eaters. The band developed a distinctive alt country- type sound. They took their name from a voodoo term; a worshiper who is possessed by loa during a ceremony is said to be being ridden...
- Time Stands Still 4:08 - John Trubee - A Blind Man's Penis 1:41
Disc 1, Side 2
- Rain ParadeRain ParadeThe Rain Parade was a band active in the Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles in the 1980s.-History:The band was founded by college roommates Matt Piucci and David Roback in 1981, originally as The Moving Sidewalks. David's brother Steven Roback joined the band shortly thereafter...
- No Easy Way Down 6:58 - PlasticlandPlasticlandPlasticland is an American Neo-Psychedelic and Garage rock band, formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1980 with two members of Arousing Polaris, Glenn Rehse and John Frankovic....
- Disengaged From The World 2:36 - The PandorasThe PandorasThe Pandoras were an all-female rock and roll band from Los Angeles, California from 1983–1991, who found a following in the Hollywood "Paisley Underground" scene and later adapted a more contemporary Sunset Boulevard, hard rock look and sound. The band ended when, on August 10, 1991 band leader...
- Worm Boy 2:10 - Get Smart!Get Smart! (band)Get Smart! was a three piece band formed in Lawrence, Kansas in 1980 consisting of Marc Koch, Lisa Wertman Crowe and Frank Loose.-Career:The band formed while at University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS in 1980 and, along with bands like the Embarrassment and the Mortal Micronotz, they were prominent...
- Just For The Moment 2:20 - The Leaving TrainsThe Leaving TrainsThe Leaving Trains were an American indie rock band from Los Angeles, California. The Leaving Trains were founded in 1980 by Falling James Moreland, a frontman who became known for his chaotic performances and penchant for cross-dressing...
- Leaving Trains 2:28 - Green On RedGreen on RedGreen on Red was an American rock band, formed in the Tucson, Arizona punk scene, but based for most of its career in Los Angeles, California, where it was loosely associated with the Paisley Underground...
- Sixteen Ways 2:33 - Game TheoryGame Theory (band)Game Theory was an American rock band from 1981 to 1989. The group's lead singer, Scott Miller, went on to front the band The Loud Family. Game Theory is best known for its double LP Lolita Nation. The band favored hyper-literary references, a la Jean-Luc Godard, including the evident...
- 24 3:05
Disc 2, Side 1
- 45 Grave45 Grave45 Grave are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1979. The original group broke up in 1985 but vocalist Dinah Cancer subsequently revived the band. 45 Grave are noted as one of the first bands to mix punk rock with horror-themed lyrics, thereby positioning them as...
- Insurance From God 5:03 - The EffigiesThe EffigiesThe Effigies is an early post-hardcore group from Chicago. The band, first formed in 1980, was active for approximately a decade, undergoing multiple personnel changes, with frontman John Kezdy the only constant, before disbanding in 1990 . The band released 5 LPs and several EPs, most on...
- Blue Funk 4:50 - KrautKraut (band)Kraut was a New York band who started playing in 1981. Their very first performance was opening for the Clash at Bonds in NYC . Members Include: Davey Gunner , Doug Holland Don Cowan , and Johnny Feedback , and Ryk Oakley, producer...
- Juvenile Justice 1:54 - Redd KrossRedd KrossRedd Kross, a rock band from Hawthorne, California had their roots in 1978 in a band called The Tourists begun by Jeff and Steve McDonald while the brothers were still in middle school...
- Citadel 2:52 - TSOLTSOLTSOL is an American punk rock band which formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California. TSOL is short for True Sounds of Liberty although they are rarely referred to by their full name....
- Flowers By The Door 3:32 - Channel 3Channel 3 (band)Channel 3, also known as CH3, is a punk rock band from Cerritos, California. Part of the Southern California punk scene of the early 1980s, the band had a sound that was more melodic than many of their hardcore contemporaries, and lyrics which ranged from thoughtful and satirical to bratty and...
- True West 2:59
Disc 2, Side 2
- Cathedral of Tears - A Situation Of 3:25
- Passionnel - The Yellow Boat 3:41
- The Untouchables - Lebanon 3:42
- The Pool - Where Did We Go Wrong 3:46
- Scott Goddard - Cow Punk 4:51
- SSQSSQ (band)SSQ was a 1980s synthpop outfit formed from the already-in-existence band Q .-Biography:The original Q project was composed of Stacey Swain as lead singer, Jon St. James on guitars, and Dan Van Patten and John Van Tongeren on vocoder and synthesizer...
- Playback 4:51
US CD
- Jet Black Berries - Shadowdrive 4:41
- Naked PreyNaked PreyNaked Prey was a rock band from Tucson, Arizona formed in 1982 by former Green on Red drummer Van Christian and David Seeger, who had been in the original lineup of the Giant Sandworms as well as The Pedestrians, a band credited with having performed the first punk rock show in Tucson...
- Flesh On The Wall 2:34 - Tex & the HorseheadsTex & the HorseheadsTex & the Horseheads is an American punk rock band, which emerged in the Los Angeles punk subculture of the early-1980s. Their original run was from 1980 to 1986, and during this time they enjoyed a sizeable cult following...
- Oh Mother 2:55 - Greg SageGreg SageGreg Sage was the principal songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist for the influential Portland, Oregon-based punk rock band Wipers. Greg Sage's first recording was on the pro-wrestler Beauregarde's full length album, released in 1971 . He met Beauregarde, recorded and played with him when he was only...
- Straight Ahead 4:10 - Chris D. / Divine HorsemenThe Divine HorsemenDivine Horsemen were a punk/roots band founded in 1983 by Chris D. , formerly of L.A. punk rock band The Flesh Eaters. The band developed a distinctive alt country- type sound. They took their name from a voodoo term; a worshiper who is possessed by loa during a ceremony is said to be being ridden...
- Time Stands Still 4:08 - Green On RedGreen on RedGreen on Red was an American rock band, formed in the Tucson, Arizona punk scene, but based for most of its career in Los Angeles, California, where it was loosely associated with the Paisley Underground...
- Sixteen Ways 2:33 - Game TheoryGame Theory (band)Game Theory was an American rock band from 1981 to 1989. The group's lead singer, Scott Miller, went on to front the band The Loud Family. Game Theory is best known for its double LP Lolita Nation. The band favored hyper-literary references, a la Jean-Luc Godard, including the evident...
- 24 3:05 - Rain ParadeRain ParadeThe Rain Parade was a band active in the Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles in the 1980s.-History:The band was founded by college roommates Matt Piucci and David Roback in 1981, originally as The Moving Sidewalks. David's brother Steven Roback joined the band shortly thereafter...
- No Easy Way Down 6:58 - PlasticlandPlasticlandPlasticland is an American Neo-Psychedelic and Garage rock band, formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1980 with two members of Arousing Polaris, Glenn Rehse and John Frankovic....
- Disengaged From The World 2:36 - The PandorasThe PandorasThe Pandoras were an all-female rock and roll band from Los Angeles, California from 1983–1991, who found a following in the Hollywood "Paisley Underground" scene and later adapted a more contemporary Sunset Boulevard, hard rock look and sound. The band ended when, on August 10, 1991 band leader...
- Worm Boy 2:10 - Get Smart!Get Smart! (band)Get Smart! was a three piece band formed in Lawrence, Kansas in 1980 consisting of Marc Koch, Lisa Wertman Crowe and Frank Loose.-Career:The band formed while at University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS in 1980 and, along with bands like the Embarrassment and the Mortal Micronotz, they were prominent...
- Just For The Moment 2:20 - The Leaving TrainsThe Leaving TrainsThe Leaving Trains were an American indie rock band from Los Angeles, California. The Leaving Trains were founded in 1980 by Falling James Moreland, a frontman who became known for his chaotic performances and penchant for cross-dressing...
- Leaving Trains 2:28 - 45 Grave45 Grave45 Grave are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1979. The original group broke up in 1985 but vocalist Dinah Cancer subsequently revived the band. 45 Grave are noted as one of the first bands to mix punk rock with horror-themed lyrics, thereby positioning them as...
- Insurance From God 5:03 - Redd KrossRedd KrossRedd Kross, a rock band from Hawthorne, California had their roots in 1978 in a band called The Tourists begun by Jeff and Steve McDonald while the brothers were still in middle school...
- Citadel 2:52 - John Trubee - A Blind Man's Penis 1:41
- Screamin' SirensScreamin' SirensScreamin' Sirens were an all-women band that combined country music, punk rock, rockabilly and a dash of funk for their own wild party music. They pre-dated what is usually referred to as alternative country, but undoubtedly influenced it. They were based in Hollywood, California...
- Maniac 2:36 - TSOLTSOLTSOL is an American punk rock band which formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California. TSOL is short for True Sounds of Liberty although they are rarely referred to by their full name....
- Flowers By The Door 3:32 - Passionnel - The Yellow Boat 3:41
- The Untouchables- Lebanon 3:42
- SSQSSQ (band)SSQ was a 1980s synthpop outfit formed from the already-in-existence band Q .-Biography:The original Q project was composed of Stacey Swain as lead singer, Jon St. James on guitars, and Dan Van Patten and John Van Tongeren on vocoder and synthesizer...
- Playback 4:51
Greek LP
Side 1- Rain ParadeRain ParadeThe Rain Parade was a band active in the Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles in the 1980s.-History:The band was founded by college roommates Matt Piucci and David Roback in 1981, originally as The Moving Sidewalks. David's brother Steven Roback joined the band shortly thereafter...
- No Easy Way Down 6:58 - Green On RedGreen on RedGreen on Red was an American rock band, formed in the Tucson, Arizona punk scene, but based for most of its career in Los Angeles, California, where it was loosely associated with the Paisley Underground...
- Sixteen Ways 2:33 - Screamin' SirensScreamin' SirensScreamin' Sirens were an all-women band that combined country music, punk rock, rockabilly and a dash of funk for their own wild party music. They pre-dated what is usually referred to as alternative country, but undoubtedly influenced it. They were based in Hollywood, California...
- Maniac 2:38 - Chris D. / Divine HorsemenThe Divine HorsemenDivine Horsemen were a punk/roots band founded in 1983 by Chris D. , formerly of L.A. punk rock band The Flesh Eaters. The band developed a distinctive alt country- type sound. They took their name from a voodoo term; a worshiper who is possessed by loa during a ceremony is said to be being ridden...
- Time Stands Still 4:08 - The Leaving TrainsThe Leaving TrainsThe Leaving Trains were an American indie rock band from Los Angeles, California. The Leaving Trains were founded in 1980 by Falling James Moreland, a frontman who became known for his chaotic performances and penchant for cross-dressing...
- Leaving Trains 2:28 - Naked PreyNaked PreyNaked Prey was a rock band from Tucson, Arizona formed in 1982 by former Green on Red drummer Van Christian and David Seeger, who had been in the original lineup of the Giant Sandworms as well as The Pedestrians, a band credited with having performed the first punk rock show in Tucson...
- Flesh On The Wall 2:34 - Greg SageGreg SageGreg Sage was the principal songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist for the influential Portland, Oregon-based punk rock band Wipers. Greg Sage's first recording was on the pro-wrestler Beauregarde's full length album, released in 1971 . He met Beauregarde, recorded and played with him when he was only...
- Straight Ahead 4:10
Side 2
- Jet Black Berries - Shadowdrive 4:41
- PlasticlandPlasticlandPlasticland is an American Neo-Psychedelic and Garage rock band, formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1980 with two members of Arousing Polaris, Glenn Rehse and John Frankovic....
- Disengaged From The World 2:36 - Tex & the HorseheadsTex & the HorseheadsTex & the Horseheads is an American punk rock band, which emerged in the Los Angeles punk subculture of the early-1980s. Their original run was from 1980 to 1986, and during this time they enjoyed a sizeable cult following...
- Oh Mother 2:55 - 45 Grave45 Grave45 Grave are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1979. The original group broke up in 1985 but vocalist Dinah Cancer subsequently revived the band. 45 Grave are noted as one of the first bands to mix punk rock with horror-themed lyrics, thereby positioning them as...
- Insurance From God 5:03 - Cathedral of Tears - A Situation Of 3:25
- Channel 3Channel 3 (band)Channel 3, also known as CH3, is a punk rock band from Cerritos, California. Part of the Southern California punk scene of the early 1980s, the band had a sound that was more melodic than many of their hardcore contemporaries, and lyrics which ranged from thoughtful and satirical to bratty and...
- True West 2:59 - TSOLTSOLTSOL is an American punk rock band which formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California. TSOL is short for True Sounds of Liberty although they are rarely referred to by their full name....
- Flowers By The Door 3:32
Reception
- "Despite its lack of success with EMI, Enigma has continued to put out new records including the current two record set "The Enigma Variations", the budget priced compilation which takes its name from a composition by Sir Edward Elgar offers 26 songs including several unreleased tracks by such stellar bands as Red Kross, the Leaving Trains, Green on Red, the Untouchables, the Screaming Sirens, the Effigies, TSOL and Cathedral of Tears. The label plans to follow up this release next month with a country compilation." (Patrick GoldsteinPatrick GoldsteinPatrick Goldstein is a film critic and columnist for the Los Angeles Times, writing about movies in a column titled The Big Picture. Colleague Tom O'Neill describes him as the newspaper's "chief Oscarologist" as his column focuses largely on the doings of the Academy Awards.-Rob Schneider...
, L.A. Times, 1985)
- "If this is not the best compilation album ever, it is only because volume two is just as good. This is alternative rock when it was really alternative. If any of these songs were sung by R.E.M.R.E.M.R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, NirvanaNirvana (band)Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, Pearl JamPearl JamPearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
or ColdplayColdplayColdplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
, you would hear them every week on the radio, but now they are forgotten." (JT Fournier, epinionsEpinionsEpinions.com is a general consumer review site that was established in 1999. Epinions was acquired by Shopping.com in 2003, which in turn was acquired by Ebay in 2005...
, 2006)