CD Review: Ultravox - Brilliant

Written by J. "Niggels" Uhlenbruch Monday, 18 June 2012 15:04

Artist: Ultravox
Title: Brilliant
Genre: Pop
Release Date: 25th May 2012
Label: EMI

Album Review

Sometimes I am told that my reviews would be a bit too long. Here I can keep it short: When you love the Pop music of the 80s, especially the kind which is not afraid of big gestures and which combines anthemic melodies with pleasant melancholy, simply must get this album! ULTRAVOX is back, and even in its “classic” line-up: Midge Ure, Billy Currie, Chris Cross, and Warren Cann. So no hip Indie kids at work who have browsed through their parents' record collection and want to make some great retro Pop now, but in fact the real original heroes from back in the day! Some papers have called this incarnation of ULTRAVOX the “original line-up”, which is wrong as the legendary John Foxx was on the microphone when the band was started. There were of course several different line-ups in the history of ULTRAVOX but the one of 'Brilliant' is the same as the one when the band their biggest hits like ‘Vienna’ (1981), ‘Hymn’ (1982) or 1984's ‘Dancing With Tears In My Eyes’.

Previously there was a more experimental phase with John Foxx at the microphone, who left in 1979 the band went on to solo success. His song 'Underpass' for example still has cult status. Then came Midge Ure and with him the big commercial success. In 1988 ULTRAVOX officially split up, although Billy Currie used the moniker in the 1990s after a lawsuit against his former band mates to produce a few records with guest musicians under the band's name. It was then the official dissolution of the band, a lot of resentment and sulking, a lawsuit and a subsequent use of the band's name in the '90s by Billy Currie and guest musicians. His former band mates were apparently not amused and Currie's move certainly did not help to better the poor relations which lead to ULTRAVOX' break up. A reunion of the magnificent four? Unthinkable! Until 2009...

The announcement of the reunion tour for 2009 put the old fans in a frenzy, and now it's probably time for a few tears of joy as well: With the album 'Brilliant' ULTRAVOX continue where they stopped musically with this team 28 years ago. The album opener 'Live' already has everything why fans love this band: Hymnic melodies, singing guitars, a dreamy piano line, perfectly placed (analogue) synth sounds, a melancholic yet uplifting vibe, and last but not least Midge Ure's yearning and majestic voice. And 'Brilliant' continues just like that for the next couple of songs! Every song is a direct hit! Some people might complain that ULTRAVOX play it a bit too safe or that some of the songs follow too much the same patterns. But let's simply forget about such analyzing musings because the album feels just right and is a pleasure to listen to! The first seven songs like the wonderfully groovy ‘Flow’, the poppy title track, the touching ballad ‘Remembering’, or the upbeat ‘Rise’ with its playful synth sounds are simply fun!

In the second half of the album there are perhaps a few less exciting moments but after all these men are all well in their sixties, except the 59-year-old Midge Ure, so it's forgivable when they take it a bit too nice and easy for one or two songs. Especially when their long-player picks up pace again towards the end with the since ULTRAVOX with ‘Lie’ and the euphoric ‘Satellite’. The album ultimately closes with the lullaby ‘Contact’ and after that you just wanna press play again to listen to the whole damned thing just once more. Everyone who loves eighties music, or simply great Pop tunes, should rush to buy this album! ULTRAVOX named their comeback album boldly and self-consciously 'Brilliant' but actually this word describes this album best!


Tracklist

01. Live Again
02. Flow
03. Brilliant
04. The Change
05. Rise
06. Remembering
07. Hello
08. This One
09. Fall
10. Let It Lie
11. Satellite
12. Contact


Line-up

Midge Ure (vocals, guitar, keyboards)
Billy Currie (keyboards, violin)
Chris Cross (bass, keyboards)
Warren Cann (drums, percussion)


Website

www.ultravoxbrilliant.com


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10