On this day, 42 years ago, Suicide released its self titled debut studio album. It was released on 28 December 1977 by Red Star Records and was produced by Craig Leon and Marty Thau. The album was recorded in only four days at Ultima Sound Studios in New York and featured Martin Rev's minimalist electronics and harsh, repetitive rhythms paired with Alan Vega's rock and roll-inspired vocals and depictions of urban life. Suicide entered the studio with much of their songs already written and rehearsed from having spent the previous five years playing shows.
Suicide was the first group to sign to Marty Thau's Red Star record label. After hearing a demo tape from Suicide, he asked if he could see Suicide perform live which led to them being signed to Red Star.
Upon its initial release, Suicide was greeted with positive reception from the UK press, but received mixed reviews in the United States, where it failed to chart. However, the album would soon be regarded as a milestone in electronic and rock music. In 2013, Pitchfork magazine named it one of the greatest albums of the 1970s and Rolling Stone magazine placed it on their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The album is listed as one of the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Musically, Suicide has been described as synth-punk, electronic rock, and synth-pop, while also being labeled electronic and minimalistic.
Suicide (Original album track listing)
Side one:
- Ghost Rider 2:34
- Rocket U.S.A. 4:16
- Cheree" 3:42
- Johnny 2:11
- Girl 4:05
Side two
- Frankie Teardrop 10:26
- Che 4:53
