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 “Remembering”
If 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!
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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