Daniel Miller is one of the most important musical figures you'ev never heard of. He founded Mute Records, responsible for making available the music of some of the most important and challenging underground artists of the 70s and 80s, and reissuing some great punk, industrial, progressive, experimental, and gothic music after other labels have folded. He has engineered or produced artists such as Fad Gadget, Cabaret Voltaire, and Depeche Mode. And of course, he has created some music of his own. His most notable music project was the Normal. Unfortunately, aside from a short live recording with Robert Rental, the Normal recorded just one single.

But, oh, what a single it was!

Considered a classic of synth-pop and new wave music, T.V.O.D./Warm Leatherette is more than just a great collectors' item: it's a wonderful and fun record to listen to. Both songs feature primitive drum machines and minimalist synthesizers, and Miller's deadpan vocals. Surprisingly, the mood of both tracks is cheerful despite the subject matter. "T.V.O.D." is about a guy so hooked on television he wants to "Stick the aerial/Right into my skin". And "Warm Leatherette" is about a couple that gets killed in a car crash. I'm not making this up. But despite the content, and the sometimes disturbing images that the lyrics conjure up ("The handbrake penetrates your thigh/Quick, let's make love before you die") it's a very upbeat and fun song. Plenty of people always say they just listen to the music and don't pay attention to the words. Those people may actually consider this a happy song. Those who are serious music listeners who realize that the lyrics to a song are just as important as the music will marvel at how Miller was able to create such a fun song about such a grim subject.

"Warm Leatherette" was actually the B-side of this single, but in the years since its first release, it was clear that this song was the standout track and the one that became a classic. A few years after its release, Grace Jones had a minor hit with a soulful, funky version of the song. And revealing just who Miller influenced, plenty of industrial bands have covered it as well, including Pankow and Blok 57 (as well as one of my old bands).

"Warm Leatherette" has also appeared on one of Rhino Records' new wave compilations, but the song "T.V.O.D." cannot be overlooked either. This record is worth purchasing for this song too.

Recommended: Yes