Garden [Import]

John Foxx | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 6, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Edsel Records UK
• ASIN: B001DXKNE6
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,463 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of the former Ultravox vocalist's 1981 sophomore solo album containing bonus material that includes non-album tracks and previously unreleased cuts from the album sessions. This set has been newly remastered from the original tapes by Foxx himself. 23 tracks. Edsel. 2008.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete Track listing, January 11, 2009

By 

Kemistry "bainbridgecrew" (Charlotte, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Garden (Audio CD)

Disc: 1
1. Europe After The Rain
2. Systems Of Romance
3. When I Was A Man And You Were A Woman
4. Dancing Like A Gun
5. Pater Noster
6. Night Suit
7. You Were There
8. Fusion/Fission
9. Walk Away
10. The Garden

Disc: 2
1. Swimmer II
2. This Jungle
3. Miles Away
4. A Long Time
5. Swimmer I
6. Fog
7. Swimmer III
8. Swimmer IV
9. Dance With Me (Early Version)
10. A Woman On A Stairway (Early Version)
11. Fusion/Fission (Early Version)
12. Miles Away (Alternative Version)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Systems of Romance II, August 9, 2009

By 

NwappMX7 (VA, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Garden (Audio CD)

After he had gone cold and robotic on his debut solo album "Metamatic" John Foxx released this album, basically a sequel to Ultravox's 1978 album (and the last with Foxx leading the band) "Systems of Romance." In fact the second track on here is even named "Systems of Romance" and would have fit perfectly on that album. Seeing as how "Systems of Romance" is my favorite Ultravox album (and one of my favorite albums period) I really like this album. This is pop music at its best. The guitars are ringing and spacious. The melodies and epic and memorable. And what is great to hear is that even though this could be considered "Systems of Romance Part Deux" Foxx works in previous sounds and influences as well. Some of the robotic sound of "Metamatic" can be heard in "When I Was a Man and You Were a Woman" while the main melody of "Night Suit" comes right out of Ultravox's self-titled debut.
This two CD edition of "The Garden" offers a good audio experience with good mastering and clarity. There is a thick booklet with lyrics and the photos with text that came with the original LP. The second CD gives the listener a variety of odds and ends. A few instrumentals are included along with B-sides and non-album singles like "Miles Away." Also included are early versions of some of the songs, including some that will show up later on "The Golden Section."
I recommend this to anyone who likes John Foxx/early Ultravox or anyone who enjoys new wave or synth-pop in general.

5.0 out of 5 stars Not everyones cup of tea, July 22, 2009

By 

Plumbing Nightmares "Tudor Homes" (Atlanta / London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Garden (Audio CD)

John Foxx, wow it's hard to believe the chap is in his 60's. I remember waiting for this album to arrive at our local record shop and when I got my hands on it was certainly worth the wait. A style that is unique with a mix of electronic of the 80's and church maybe even operatic.

The piano riff that starts off the set in Europe after the rain sets the pace for this album. Synth Strings, Piano, acoustic guitar, catchy bass and John Foxx's ghostly vocals all make for a brilliant song.

Systems of romance reminds me of the stuff he was doing with Ultravox on the systems of romance album before going solo. Distorted guitar along with a fast moving bass line and some very cool synth lines

Walk Away another brilliant piece of music there's that piano again. Great strings and pads with a kind of raw feel to the whole composition.

The Garden Title track sets off the mood with birds chirping in the background with what I can only describe as a haunting church like synth fading in. Lots of electronic ohhs and ahhs and John foxx vocals pushed through some heavy filtering absolutely fantastic.

Dancing Like a Gun / Fusion/Fission
Again these tracks really have a lot of the old systems of romance / Ultravox feel to it. Strings and distorted and phased guitar. Ohhs and ahhs along with square / pulse width lead synth in there.

Pater Noster
Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur Nomen tuum etc..... Catholic our father put to a beat and synth riffs. As interesting as it is it always felt very very experimental to me.


I am not able to comment on the additional songs as I only have the original 80's release.

Now with that said if you do not know of Foxx or his style this may not be your cup of tea. It is very different to his first solo work Metamatic (Underpass, No one's Driving etc.) For me however I feel this was his greatest musical accomplishment.