You know where we haven’t visited in a long time? Holland. So let’s return to the land well known by all as the originator of the Mercator projection map, the fire hose, orange-colored carrots, and (important for music geeks) the compact disc.

In 1980, right about the same time Philips manufactured the first test pressings of their new audio format, Dutch composer, keyboardist, and producer Michel Mulders formed Spectral Display with singer and lyricist Henri Overduin. The following year, they were signed by EMI Records and went to work recording their debut album as a synth-pop duo.

In the summer of 1982, right before the first commercially released compact disc (a recording of Chopin waltzes performed by Claudio Arrau), Spectral Display released their first single, “It Takes A Muscle To Fall In Love.” The song doesn’t appear to have landed on any charts, but it was the group’s most successful single in terms of exposure, and has featured in movies and commercials, as well as receiving covers by many other artists (most notably M.I.A.).

Spectral Display released two albums (as per their deal), but alas, didn’t last long enough to show up on the compact disc invented in their homeland. However, after a hiatus of about 36 years the band got back together for a new release in 2020. It takes a muscle to reunite.

Let’s flex those synthesizers!