The Decoy ‎– Miles (LP)

In the autumn of 1987, the Eindhoven-based band The Decoy headed into the legendary Tango Studio. In just two days, they churned out an album that perfectly encapsulates the urgency, DIY ethos, and melancholy of the late Dutch new wave scene. *Miles* is not merely a rock record; it is a multimedia document of its time.

Musically, the album strikes a balance between the tight, mechanical rhythms of early post-punk and more melodic, guitar-driven rock. The production by bassist Henk Tackenberg is raw and direct, shunning the slick, overproduced pop sound that dominated the charts in 1987.

The album opens powerfully with "The Machine." As the title suggests, the track is driven by a hypnotic, almost industrial rhythm from drummer Rob Peels. Pulsating basslines lay a somber yet energetic foundation, over which Rolf van den Heuvel’s cutting guitar work builds tension. It immediately sets the tone for a world in which humanity is trapped within the system.

"New York New York" serves as the thematic heart of Side A. Far from an ode to glitz and glamour, it captures the raw, compelling, and menacing atmosphere of the American metropolis as seen through the eyes of European new wavers. René Schellekens’ vocals sound theatrical and possessed, strongly reminiscent of icons like Joy Division or Echo & the Bunnymen.

Label: Self-Released

Country: Netherlands

Media Condition: Near Mint (NM or M-)
Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM or M-)

No comic strip insert