JOE CROW - Compulsion / Absent Friends (Cherry Red – Cherry 48) UK 1982 PS 45 (New Wave, Electro, Minimal) | vinyl: NM (mint-) | cover: NM (mint-)

In 1981 Joe began his solo career and recorded a 2-song demo “Compulsion” and “Absent Friends”. Joe sent copies of the finished recordings to Cherry Red, who thanks to Lawrence of Felt, ended up releasing the single in 1982. An edited version of the single would later appear on the compilation “Pillows & Prayers” that collected songs which originated as 45s or EPs. Martin Gore of Depeche Mode subsequently covered “Compulsion” on his ‘Counterfeit' EP in 1989 forever solidifying its status in the canon of UK melancholic synth pop.