BLACK TAPE FOR A BLUE GIRL – THE ROPE (40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION) [LIMITED + 7 BONUS TRACKS] DIGI2CD

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Genres: Gothic, Ethereal, Ambient

For Fans of: Peter Murphy, This Mortal Coil, Brian Eno, Chris & Cosey…

Limited Edition of strictly 300 copies ONLY. The CD comes in a 6-panel digipak, 4-panel photo insert, and sticker. The 2CD includes 7 previously unreleased bonus tracks, NOT included in the previous ’25 years’ The Rope re-release!

The entire 12-track album is included twice: the new 2026 mix and the original 1986 mix remastered. Mastered by Martin Bowes of Attrition

CD 1 / LP1 : Original mix remastered

CD 2 / LP2 : 2026 mix by Rosenthal

the CD has 7 bonus tracks.

2026 marks the 40th anniversary of black tape for a blue girl’s debut, The Rope. On The Rope, Sam’s subtle electronics and introspective lyrics establish black tape for a blue girl’s stature beyond the realm of the traditional “gothic” sound, creating a timeless blend of Oscar’s emotional vocals intertwined with warm ambient soundscapes. The darkly mesmerizing The Rope's appearance on the underground rock scene kicked off a rich and diverse musical career for Projekt founder and Blacktape songwriter Sam Rosenthal. Now 40 years later, Projekt releases deluxe editions for the fans.

Twenty-year-old Rosenthal’s electronics coupled with his angst-filled, introspective lyrics established black tape for a blue girl’s stance beyond the traditional “gothic” sound. His lyrics overflow with the emptiness of a shattered soul and broken heart revealing a dark, tortured youth scanning the wreckage in search of love, understanding, and connection. The striking blend of Oscar Herrera’s passionate vocals intertwining with warm electronic soundscapes and soothing ambient passages creates an album similar to 80’s-era releases on 4AD and Factory Records. Opening the album is the rhythmic, hard-hitting “Memory, Uncaring Friend,” along the lines of Peter Murphy or Gang of Four. Following this striking opener, the music takes a more subtle turn: gently disorienting, autumnal, mesmerizing, mournful, full of wonder and elusive grandeur.

Sam recalls, "In November '85, following two years of recording instrumental electronic music, I invited Oscar Herrera to sing two songs on my ISLANDS cassette. A few months later in February of '86 I left Florida for college in Orange, California. I was 20 years old, feeling isolated, lonely, missing friends back home. In my dorm room that spring I used the school’s Fostex 250 4-track cassette portastudio to record songs with my lyrics and melodies. Writing words for Oscar to sing over my ethereal and ambient music helped me explore those angsty and tangled feelings. The Rope is half vocal and half instrumental. It’s all quite minimal, yet it’s an album listeners still mention as a favorite. Capturing the confusion and darkness I felt at that time remains valid; new listeners connect with it today. I never would have expected that 40 years later The Rope would be listened to and appreciated by new generations. It’s really nice knowing those feelings are timeless, and the music has a place in people’s lives."

 Star Hits Magazine (1986): “black tape for a blue girl's The Rope is like the musical equivalent of a nervous breakdown. Complete with dark, scary lyrics that make The Smiths sound like Alvin and the Chipmunks, this might give you an idea of what mental anguish sounds like. It is an experiment worth hearing.”

TRACKS: A1 memory, uncaring friend A2 hide in yourself A3 within these walls A4 the holy terrors A5 end A6 seven days til sunrise A7 the rope B1 the few remaining threads B2 the lingering flicker B3 slow blur B4 the floor was hard but home B5 we return

2CD-only Bonus Tracks: 13 the lingering flicker (first draft) 14 within these walls (early mix with clarinet) 15 the holy terrors (long) 16 second dream 17 the lingering flicker (isolated violins) 18 within these walls (short with violins) 19 memory, uncaring friend (remix intro)