THE ABSENT

THE ABSENT
THE ABSENT - out now!

CRIPPLED HEARTS

CRIPPLED HEARTS
Out Now - For sale on Amazon and other onlne book sellers

SOLIDARITY WITH THE FLESH EATING MOSAIC AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju

SOLIDARITY WITH THE FLESH EATING MOSAIC AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju
Out Now

THE RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT NINNY AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju

THE RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT NINNY AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju
My first book of poetry available through Amazon and other online booksellers www.rajbooks.com

Saturday, September 8, 2012

A FEW THOUGHTS ON ULTRAVOX AND THEIR REUNION ALBUM "BRILLIANT"


The Midge Ure version of Ultravox was the perfect combination of New Romantic synthpop
and guitar driven commercially realized post punk.  I was never a fan of the John Foxx 70s version of Ultravox which to my ears was a poor second hand copy of Roxy Music but Ure’s years with the band were a perfect representation of the celebratory beauty of 80’s music with a strong rocking foundation.  You could sit and listen to it, you could dance around the room while listening to it, you could play air guitar to it.

All four of the original Midge Ure Ultravox releases are superb – VIENNA, RAGE IN EDEN, QUARTET, LAMENT.  If I had to pick a favourite it would be LAMENT but they are all great records.  The Ure version also made another album as a three piece U VOX but at that point they did not sound so interested in what they were doing.

My reaction to band reunion is always great trepidation.  Most of the time band reunions don’t work.  Those that do work are usually of bands that haven’t been broken up for very long and/or when one or two band members are in charge as opposed to a group where everyone contributes equally.  My further thoughts on band reunions are here http://rgdinmalaysia.blogspot.com/2009/04/few-thoughts-on-band-reunions.html

The Midge Ure Ultravox (and there was a version that made a few records in the 90’s with a female singer under the name U Vox) hadn’t played together since the 80’s when they got together a couple of years ago for some concerts.

BRILLIANT the Ure Ultravox's first album of new material since 1986 is awesome.  It’s a great listen because it basically sounds like the next album they would have made had they stayed together.  It’s a no apologies complete return to the sound that made them stars in the 80’s.  It’s a glorious beautiful albeit slightly mellower record (there are a lot more slow songs here).

They sound like they are having a ball.  What a great record full of optimism, full of nostalgia for a time that really was great and diverse and magical for music.  I hear the lyrics for “RememberingIf i could gather all the moments so precious to stay with me
what would i be, what would i see?
 And I reflect they have brought back all that was great about their music- No question about it!
















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