Customer Reviews

Breathtaking Blue

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album was my absolute most favorite for around ten years until only recently. The break away from the traditional 80's techno-pop sound in their previous albums is very noticeable and refreshing. The lyrics sound like poetry, not the characteristic whining of today's alternative. From the jazzy Summer Rain, to the mellow neo-swing sound of Anyway, more than five years ahead of it's time; the fantastic, without being obnoxious, electric guitar solo of Blacky Schwarz Ruszczynski on Romeos, and the laudable attempt to emulate 50's rockabilly on Ariana. I fell in love with it the first time I heard it, but even if you don't, it will still grow on you. One of the few albums I have where every song actually sounds different. This is the one by Alphaville that shouldn't have to be imported.

Frequently, TBB is said to be Alphaville's weakest album (as far as one can call an AV-album "weak" - these guys have never sucked with anything they did & always gotten good reviews). This is because TBB is not as accessible as most other AV-works. However, it is worth the effort to spend a little time with it and let it grow on you. Because it is a pretty darn good album. Actually, I think it is one of the best 80s albums. As in their previous album, Afternoons in Utopia, Alphaville tell metaphoric stories from an own, occasionally detached, cosmos. The lyrics are powerful, well-chosen and full of intriguing allusions. But what makes TBB truly outstanding is the music and the singing. Produced by Tangerine Dream - guru Klaus Schulze, the trio goes on an experimental journey through rock, jazz, swing, and classic ballads that is unparalleled on any '80s album I know. Every song is in a different style, and yet they are all clearly Alphaville, with elaborate synth-arrangements, attention to the details and Gold's fantastic, smooth voice which is particularly grand on this album. Except from the ironic but still quite silly Ariana (which I usually skip) every song is a piece of art provoking thoughts and deeper feelings. The compositions have so many facets that this is truly an album you can listen to again and again and still find it inspiring.

This is a great album, yes it is different than the previous two albums but it holds it's own. I fell in love with this album so much that I named my daughter after one of the tracks on the album. No not Patricia, but Ariana. One of the wierdest tracks but fun to say the least. Marian Gold of Alphaville told me he wrote it for his business manager named Ariana "who was very sexy".

Every track is standout Romeos is probably my favorite track on the album. My version of the CD even has CD+G features that can display the lyrics and some graphics on a CD+G karaoke machine or similiar type system. I'm not sure if they all have that or not.

I found this cd used for $6.99 and was overjoyed with my good fortune. Breathtaking Blue is nothing like Forever Young, yet it is still a must have. Every song has a smooth melodic quaility to it. The more I listen, the more it grows on me. Try to find it used, and if that doesn't work plunk down the cash and buy it full price!

This one is a little different than "Forever Young" and "Afternoons in Utopia" but it's great.

This album - along with Afternoons in Utopia - was my absolute favorite for around ten years until only recently (blame it on Morrissey). The break away from the traditional 80's techno-pop sound in their previous albums is very noticeable and refreshing. The lyrics sound like poetry, not the characteristic whining of today's alternative.
From the jazzy Summer Rain, to the mellow neo-swing sound of Anyway, more than five years ahead of it's time; the fantastic, without being obnoxious, electric guitar solo on Romeos and the laudable attempt to emulate 50's rockabilly on Ariana. I fell in love with it the first time I heard it, but even if you don't, it will still grow on you. One of the few albums I have where every song actually sounds different.

I am an Alphaville fan as probably everyone who is looking at this review. After all, it appeared like they were gone, but they are strong in Europe. Their first 2 albums, Forever Young and Afternoons in Utopia, are both fantastic, then this comes in. By now you know it is a different album because there is some jazz and orchestral sounds in it.

There are some very cathy songs in the mist of it all. "For a million" has some of the best guitar melodies I have ever heard. "Romeos" is definitely an Alphaville song that could have been heard in the past albums. "Mysteries of Love" is catchy. "She fades away" is atmospheric, but good. I actually liked "middle of the riddle", it has a catchy beat. "Ariana" is ok.

The thing with rest of the songs is they are too jazzy and slow. In addition, "Patricia Peak" is pure instrumental, which would be good for a soundtrack, not a music album.

Overall, this album is not great, but good because some songs are great. It is a shame it is part of the experiment.

This is in my opinion Alphaville's best album and most underrated, and, not only that, but the most underrated album of the decade. Albums where every song is worth listening to is a rarity these days, but this album is one where you won't need your remote handy to keep skipping over songs. These songs are uniquely brilliant and have stood the test of time so well yet still feeding your sense of nostalgia. I can't listen to the beautiful, haunting melody of my favorite track, "She Fades Away," without getting chills it's so good. Do not overlook this one; it's worth it's weight in gold.

Being absolutely taken with Alphaville's hit song "Forever Young," I wanted to check out more. Unfortunately, I have found none of their songs to equal this hit, and in fact, the rest is pretty bad.

Well, first; this is an album totally different from Forever Young, Afternoons in Utopia or Prostitute.

But this album also has some incredible songs so enjoyable!!!!

Maybe Not the Alphaville you expect, but some good music you will love!