POO: Ultravox

Right now it's "Quiet Men"

Proto-Metamatic, innit? Like "Just For A Moment" is The Garden before Foxx even gets to that stage.

I still need to hear solo Foxx. The only Ultravox-related stuff I have is the Island years comp, which is totally awes from start to finish. I'd imagine I'd also love the first three albums in their entireties.

I still need to hear solo Foxx.

SB'd.

lolz ok I'm on it dude

"Rockwrock"

I still need to hear solo Foxx.

You must hear "Metamatic". Marvellous album!

ARTIFICIAL LIFE! Only one of the best songs ever conceived

"She turned to perfection - once - but realized she'd only turned to pan. She ran though divine light; chemicals; Warhol; Scientology; her own sex, before she TURNED AWAY."

Plus it's on Ha! Ha! Ha! the most overlooked album with the greatest title. I treasure every moment of it.

That's 'pain,' not 'pan.' Pan would be funny, though. And Ultravox with Fox were, bless their hearts, often amusing.

Foxx. I'm leaving now.

God help me, I think I like "One Small Day," after all these years.

Right now it's "I Want To Be A Machine"

The punchy bass/guitar siren at the start of that *spectacular* violin-led outro is a bona fide moment of clarity in 70's rock music

"Hiroshima Mon Amour" is pretty much perfect.

lol I'm listening to "IWTBAM" again riiight now

their Island Years compilation is unfuckable-with...the individual albums are slightly less strong but still way good

I have had "Vienna" on in the car a lot recently. "Private Lives" I think it the pick for me ATM. I'm going to see them soon-ish!

post-Foxx not doing it for me at all

in fact, it means nothing to me

Ha, I thought that for years. I was r0ngWrong. So are you. I came to the conclusion the other week that "Vienna" is in fact their best album. "Astradyne" and "Western Promise" are weak, the rest of the album is awesome. If you do not find anything to like in "Mr X" at least, then I ain't got nothing to say to you, hater. Their later stuff, very hit&miss, but crank it up, and roll up the bass till that eighth-note sequencer pulse hits you in the chest whomp-whomp-whomp, there's plenty of good shit there if you can get past the dated production style. Briefly, around "Vienna" & "Rage in Eden" they were close to something really special, but they kind of blew it a bit.

In a somewhat similar vein, I wonder if you have picked up "Sons & Fascination" &/or "New Gold Dream", eh.

I have not. I am a worm. Shall be rectified.

As for Vienna, well I got mah Spotify and I got mah spare time...let's go! In fairness, I've only heard a couple of post-Foxx songs. I'm ready to be enlightened.

Also, it might be their best album, but is it better than that Island compilation? Ha?

Yes! It is. "Systems of Roimance" and "Ha!Ha!Ha!" I think are better than that Island comp as well. you are aware that there are 2 diff versions of "Hiroshima mon amour" as well? One languid with saxophone playing, the other full of loud screechy guitars and violin. Both equally great.

Ooh, I'll have to track the screechy one down! Screechy violin sorta suited these guys. Am I weird in thinking some of the stuff off their first album numbers among their best work?

I agree that Vienna is their best album. Never could seem to take to the Foxx stuff, though I've met plenty of people who swear by it.

In a somewhat similar vein, I wonder if you have picked up "Sons & Fascination" &/or "New Gold Dream", eh.

Heheh. My friend (big Ure-era Ultravox fan, btw) recently told me that the next thing he wants me to introduce him to is an album by Simple Minds. I'm kindof debating which one to throw at him, but New Gold Dream is usually people's favourite, so I'll probably give him that one.

ure-era ultravox is better than a lot of 80s cheese people are always repping for here. i went on a youtube nostalgia binge a few months ago, i think the singles are still a lot of fun

DAAAAAAAAAAANCING WITH TEARS IN MY EYES.

"...in strong low tones."

I'll take the Foxx era over the Ure era (urea?) every time. Picking "Hiroshima Mon Amour" (the quiet version for preference, although the screechy version is great as well).

Young Savage!

"Hiroshima Mon Amour" is pretty much perfect.

― Naive Teen Idol, Friday, April 3, 2009 9:45 PM (1 year ago) Bookmark