This was the second album I bought (the first was Dare by the Human League) but it's my most played. Astradyne blew my mind and hooked me as an Ultravox fan. Getting to be at their first Return to Eden concert was amazing. Sadly their bass player, Chris Allen (Chris Cross) passed away recently.
Great reaction to my favorite first-song-of-the-day. I'll only note that while you mention how bold a move it was for Ultravox to open the album with a long instrumental, they only did this on the UK release. Their American company switched it out for a shorter, more radio-friendly track, and stuffed this pearl deep inside.
Imagine growing up with 60s 70s fm radio, pop songs, disco, guitar rock...and then finding this song this album at 19 ....my head exploded. I was hooked on a quest for more. Only occassionally found its equal.
The greatest thing about the 80's as a musical decade was the sheer experimentation and the fact that everyone got a go, before the record companies started peddling image over talent as it was easier to manipulate for them and allowed them to shift more product in a shorter period of time. (talent takes more time to develop) I also love that your reactions to this stuff, allows me to delve into tracks I haven't listened to in a long time.
Probably because in Britain for a brief period in the early 80’s Radio 1 did away with their play list, allowing previously niche bands to come to the publics attention; unfortunately it didn’t last!
The confidence this band had to introduce their new singer/guitarist playing keyboards on a seven-minute orchestral-synth instrumental with a viola solo at the height of post-punk. Probably my favourite Ultravox track. Transcendental stuff. (Also, no-one seems to mention that Midge joined the band fresh out of Thin Lizzy. Having produced Phil Lynott's Solo in Soho album he was roped in as a sideman for a tour, replacing Brian Robertson, so he never recorded with them.)
Yes, I suggested Ultravox as part of the odd time in British music in the late 70s/early 80s. Japan & Duran went down the normal band with a synth route and Gary Numan (the pioneer of all of this), OMD, John Foxx and Ultravox went down the route of regular instruments, but the synth is now the main sound. You of course also had Human League who went down the just synths route.
What a track! . . Billy Currie is responsible for that mind altering solo . . a classically trained violinist I believe . . also can be heard on the Gary Numan Living Ornaments 1979 track . . on broadway. Some great footage of ultravox live from this era . . Billy Currie feels every note he plays . .
Ultravox was originally an Art-rock group from the mid 70's, inspired by Roxy Music and fronted by Dennis Leigh (stage name John Foxx). The band had three albums on Island records before Foxx left to pursue a solo career. James (Midge) Ure ex Salvation, Slik and Rich Kids was his replacement, and completely changed both the sound and the commercial success of the band. This track features all four band members with Billy Currie on the main synthesizers and Viola. I will react to each track. Cheers, Kev from England.
Thanks, Kev! Amazing information. Indeed, one of the friends who shared Ultravox with me had mentioned John Foxx was in the group (and side note, I'll be reacting to Foxx's solo material soon) but didn't know that full timeline. Cheers, more Ultravox coming. :)
@@mattsnider2667 You are most welcome Matt. Island dropped the band, and they had to finance a US tour by themselves in '79. Midge joined (after having formed Visage with Billy Currie) and sang Foxx-penned material while writing new songs together. Vienna (the album) was produced by German sound engineer Conny Plank, and the 12" B-side of Vienna was Mr X (re-titled as Herr X) with the English lyrics translated into German with the help of Conny's wife. Canadian drummer Warren Cann recites these lyrics). Chrysalis signed the band for the new slimmed-down 4-piece (often referred-to as the 'Classic' line-up) and released four singles from the album. 'Sleepwalk', 'Passing Strangers' preceded 'Vienna' and the fourth release was 'All Stood Still' in April '81. Incidentally, the Foxx-penned track 'Slow Motion' was re-released in the UK and charted in the Spring of that same year. Take care, Kev
The sound of the future! It is very sci-fi space sounds and this version of Ultravox were often verging o the pompous. It was a productive time as both Midge and Billy Currie (keyboardist and the one behind that electro violin sound) were making the Visage album and Billy was part of Gary Numan's touring band and played on Pleasure Principle.
Hey Matt. This is what music does to certain people. Your reaction at times was something else. You had both hands on your head at one point. Priceless! I believe this whole album was recorded and mixed in less than 3 weeks. I’ve said before Matt that if you get a chance have a look at Return To Eden. Live at London’s Roundhouse from 2012. Astradyne is the opener and it is spectacular! You can see it on UA-cam. Have a great weekend. Best wishes from your friends in Scotland. 🏴🇺🇸
Thanks for another great reaction! I agree there is a Vangelis touch to this song! Great choice starting with the Vienna album! I would recommend doing Vienna, Quartet and Lament albums from the 80's Midge Ute era before going back to the 70's John Foxx stuff. You are in for a great journey!
You have to remember that this was the first album since Midge Ure took over from John Foxx. This was a smart first track to transition old Ultravox fans to the new Midge era by having just the old Ultravox band members welcome you in.
It is aliens who heard DM (it took years for the signal to reach them, so Vince was still there) and when they get to Earth, it it 2023 and they hear Spirit and simply turn around and leave.
Haha, I'm imagining a stereotypical flying saucer rolling up the windows with the driver-alien saying, "Nope, sounds like a bad neighborhood, let's keep driving to the next cosmic-town."
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![Shnootz - Reaction Video (Ultravox - Reap the Wild Wind) [RIP to Chris Cross!]](/img/n.gif)
timeless instrumental that i never get sick of hearing!!
WOW a playlist for Ultravox Too.... Hell yea I am in for this ride... Matt you are the man... thx you!!!!!
Cheers, and thank you for checking some different alleyways of my channel! :D
This was the second album I bought (the first was Dare by the Human League) but it's my most played. Astradyne blew my mind and hooked me as an Ultravox fan.
Getting to be at their first Return to Eden concert was amazing.
Sadly their bass player, Chris Allen (Chris Cross) passed away recently.
Great reaction to my favorite first-song-of-the-day. I'll only note that while you mention how bold a move it was for Ultravox to open the album with a long instrumental, they only did this on the UK release. Their American company switched it out for a shorter, more radio-friendly track, and stuffed this pearl deep inside.
one of my top three favorite songs ever. it’s just so full and complex. I never get sick of it
Imagine growing up with 60s 70s fm radio, pop songs, disco, guitar rock...and then finding this song this album at 19 ....my head exploded. I was hooked on a quest for more. Only occassionally found its equal.
First 3 albums.
The greatest thing about the 80's as a musical decade was the sheer experimentation and the fact that everyone got a go, before the record companies started peddling image over talent as it was easier to manipulate for them and allowed them to shift more product in a shorter period of time. (talent takes more time to develop) I also love that your reactions to this stuff, allows me to delve into tracks I haven't listened to in a long time.
Masterpiece. I remember driving through the night in 1980 listening to Astradyne´s spheric tunes.
the early 80s especially was such a great experimental time....musically,visually,artistically..
Probably because in Britain for a brief period in the early 80’s Radio 1 did away with their play list, allowing previously niche bands to come to the publics attention; unfortunately it didn’t last!
The confidence this band had to introduce their new singer/guitarist playing keyboards on a seven-minute orchestral-synth instrumental with a viola solo at the height of post-punk. Probably my favourite Ultravox track. Transcendental stuff. (Also, no-one seems to mention that Midge joined the band fresh out of Thin Lizzy. Having produced Phil Lynott's Solo in Soho album he was roped in as a sideman for a tour, replacing Brian Robertson, so he never recorded with them.)
Yes, I suggested Ultravox as part of the odd time in British music in the late 70s/early 80s. Japan & Duran went down the normal band with a synth route and Gary Numan (the pioneer of all of this), OMD, John Foxx and Ultravox went down the route of regular instruments, but the synth is now the main sound. You of course also had Human League who went down the just synths route.
What a track! . . Billy Currie is responsible for that mind altering solo . . a classically trained violinist I believe . . also can be heard on the Gary Numan Living Ornaments 1979 track . . on broadway. Some great footage of ultravox live from this era . . Billy Currie feels every note he plays . .
also what Billy does with his Arp Odyssey on that track is simply amazing.
Ultravox was originally an Art-rock group from the mid 70's, inspired by Roxy Music and fronted by Dennis Leigh (stage name John Foxx). The band had three albums on Island records before Foxx left to pursue a solo career. James (Midge) Ure ex Salvation, Slik and Rich Kids was his replacement, and completely changed both the sound and the commercial success of the band. This track features all four band members with Billy Currie on the main synthesizers and Viola. I will react to each track. Cheers, Kev from England.
Thanks, Kev! Amazing information. Indeed, one of the friends who shared Ultravox with me had mentioned John Foxx was in the group (and side note, I'll be reacting to Foxx's solo material soon) but didn't know that full timeline. Cheers, more Ultravox coming. :)
@@mattsnider2667 You are most welcome Matt. Island dropped the band, and they had to finance a US tour by themselves in '79. Midge joined (after having formed Visage with Billy Currie) and sang Foxx-penned material while writing new songs together. Vienna (the album) was produced by German sound engineer Conny Plank, and the 12" B-side of Vienna was Mr X (re-titled as Herr X) with the English lyrics translated into German with the help of Conny's wife. Canadian drummer Warren Cann recites these lyrics). Chrysalis signed the band for the new slimmed-down 4-piece (often referred-to as the 'Classic' line-up) and released four singles from the album. 'Sleepwalk', 'Passing Strangers' preceded 'Vienna' and the fourth release was 'All Stood Still' in April '81. Incidentally, the Foxx-penned track 'Slow Motion' was re-released in the UK and charted in the Spring of that same year. Take care, Kev
This is one of my favorites to put on when I’m on a road trip.
The sound of the future! It is very sci-fi space sounds and this version of Ultravox were often verging o the pompous. It was a productive time as both Midge and Billy Currie (keyboardist and the one behind that electro violin sound) were making the Visage album and Billy was part of Gary Numan's touring band and played on Pleasure Principle.
One of my favourite tunes from Ultravox, Epic tune, the 12" extended version is out of this World👍👍
Hey Matt. This is what music does to certain people. Your reaction at times was something else. You had both hands on your head at one point. Priceless! I believe this whole album was recorded and mixed in less than 3 weeks. I’ve said before Matt that if you get a chance have a look at Return To Eden. Live at London’s Roundhouse from 2012. Astradyne is the opener and it is spectacular! You can see it on UA-cam. Have a great weekend. Best wishes from your friends in Scotland. 🏴🇺🇸
Ha, cheers! And crazy to know they recorded this album in such a short time! Thanks again for commenting, another Ultravox reaction is imminent!
Played this album to death on its release. Think Mr X is my favourite from it. The Herr X 12” is excellent
Thanks for another great reaction! I agree there is a Vangelis touch to this song!
Great choice starting with the Vienna album! I would recommend doing Vienna, Quartet and Lament albums from the 80's Midge Ute era before going back to the 70's John Foxx stuff.
You are in for a great journey!
Excellent, sounds like a plan to me! And thanks for being here for this deep-dive. :)
@@mattsnider2667 Don’t forget Rage in Eden on your journey!
@@julianblake3140 That one should be next, in my humble opinion 💁🏽♀️
@@ijustneedmyself agreed!
You have to remember that this was the first album since Midge Ure took over from John Foxx. This was a smart first track to transition old Ultravox fans to the new Midge era by having just the old Ultravox band members welcome you in.
😍
It is aliens who heard DM (it took years for the signal to reach them, so Vince was still there) and when they get to Earth, it it 2023 and they hear Spirit and simply turn around and leave.
Haha, I'm imagining a stereotypical flying saucer rolling up the windows with the driver-alien saying, "Nope, sounds like a bad neighborhood, let's keep driving to the next cosmic-town."
@@mattsnider2667 It is Leonard Nimoy gathering information for Highly Illogical.