Aqua - In Loving Memory Of Aqua (1982-1988

Facts A stellar re-discovery from the heyday of the Italian post-punk scene. In 1985, Aqua's sole release appeared, a self-titled mini-album; the four-piece from Turin was praised by the main publications and underground 'zines of the country for their rhythmic, enveloping music, with more than one cross-reference to the British scene. The six-track record had a lot in common with early new wave, focusing on a melodic and surreal style. A genre-defying 12" that combined some goth influences with dream-pop, with lyrics sung in English. This reissue includes 17 tracks of bonus content and detailed liner notes from veteran journalist Federico Guglielmi. In addition to the complete 1985 record, there are three tracks from various compilations, four from their first demo, five live extracts, and five more songs tentatively scheduled for a long-player that was not to be. That is the full parabola: from the very beginning in 1982 to the unfortunate split in 1988. Through different line-ups and different ideas, with the language switching a few times from English to Italian, this is the full spectrum of Aqua's melancholic sound. RIYL: Echo & The Bunnymen, Bauhaus, The Cure.