ynth Britannia Plus DVD (2009)

Documentary following a generation of post-punk musicians who took the synthesiser from the experimental fringes to the centre of the pop stage. In the late 1970s, small pockets of electronic artists including the Human League, Daniel Miller and Cabaret Volatire were inspired by Kraftwerk and JG Ballard, and they dreamt of the sound of the future against the backdrop of bleak, high-rise Britain.

The crossover moment came in 1979 when Gary Numan's appearance on Top of the Pops with Tubeway Army's Are 'Friends' Electric? heralded the arrival of synthpop. Four lads from Basildon known as Depeche Mode would come to own the new sound whilst post-punk bands like Ultravox, Soft Cell, OMD and Yazoo took the synth out of the pages of NME and onto the front page of Smash Hits.

By 1983, acts like Pet Shop Boys and New Order were showing that the future of electronic music would lie in dance music. Contributors include Philip Oakey, Vince Clarke, Martin Gore, Bernard Sumner, Gary Numan and Neil Tennant.

Bonus Content: Synth Britannia At The BBC

1. Roxy Music - Do The Strand (1973)
2. Tubeway Army - Are Friends Electric (1979)
3. Sparks - Beat The Clock (1979)
4. The Human League - The Path Of Least Resistance (1979)r
5. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Messages (1980)
6. Ultravox - Vienna (1981)
7. Depeche Mode - New Life (1981)
8. New Order - Temptation (1982)
9. Soft Cell - Say Hello Wave Goodbye (1982)
10. Japan - Ghosts (1982)
11. Yazoo - Don't Go (1982)
12. Tears For Fears - Mad World (1982)
13. Eurythmics - Love Is A Stranger (1983)
14. Heaven 17 - Temptation (1983)
15. Howard Jones - What Is Love (1984)
16. Pet Shop Boys - Opportnities (1986)

Sound: Stereo Region: 4 Duration: 2 Hours 26 Minutes