David Van Tieghem - These Things Happen

Experimental / Synth-Pop / Left Field

A great weirdo instrumental synth-pop album from New York's 1980's underground by percussionist David Van Tieghem. Eerie and fun, RIYL: 1980's Sakamoto, Thomas Leer and Chris & Cosey. 

This one's a classic in my book, but it seems it's a very personal book ! Long-time collaborator of NYC's avant-garde musicians (Laurie Anderson, Steve Reich, Arthur Russell, ...), David Van Tieghem released one of the weirdest debut solo LP on Warner Bros (also home of Laurie Anderson's classic 1980's albums). These Things Happen is an epitome of Downtown NYC left field pop, heavily recalling the kind of experiments in pop Ryuichi Sakamoto carried out at the same time, especially his Left Handed Dream and B-2 Unit albums. It's pop gone abstract, self-referential, but in a very lyrical and streamlined way - just like Sakamoto's music.

Taking cues from NY's underground dance music, a lot of the songs are dancefloor-friendly, and it's notably a mixed album. An essential piece in Downtown's underground puzzle, quirky and mind-boggling. (VG+/VG+)