Desertion 1982-88

Influenced by Joy Division, Kraftwerk, OMD, The Cure, and Midge Ure–era Ultravox, The Iron Curtain was a darling of the Los Angeles underground scene in the ’80s. Fast-forward to the 21st century, and the band’s extremely limited vinyl pressings were nearly impossible to find; used copies fetched thousands of dollars from ardent deep-pocketed collectors. But thanks to Pylon Records, all of The Iron Curtain’s recordings are now available here, starting with the goth club favorite “Tarantula Scream,” where cold synth tones float and drone behind angular rhythms and Steve Fields’ demure vocals. “Anorexia” flirts with Krautrock-tinged coldwave and beautifully disturbing lyrics before doubled tempos and sequenced handclaps turn the chorus into something danceable. With its pulsing drones and sublime melodies, “The Condos” is an album standout contrasting brisk, driving beats with panoramic soundscapes. Before the collection ends with a live version of “The Condos,” the band’s most-sought-after single, “Legalize Heroin,” plays like a predecessor to My Bloody Valentine’s accidental invention of shoegazing.