Love Life

Berlin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 19, 1996)
• Original Release Date: 1984
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Geffen Gold Line Sp.
• ASIN: B000000OXQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,854 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Polished second album for Berlin, February 20, 2004

By 

Daniel J. Hamlow (Narita, Japan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Love Life (Audio CD)

Love Life finds Berlin honing their brand of upbeat synth New Wave into something more polished, and it's an improvement, although there aren't any songs that are risque as their notorious single from Pleasure Victim.

The raciest song by far is the leading one, "When We Make Love," from the POV of a stripper or performer in a risque act, or maybe a starlet in a triple-X movie. If it's the latter, that's quite a twist, as she labels the viewer as her fantasy. I detect influences from Blondie's "Atomic" here.

The extramarital affair on "Touch" tells it from the woman's POV, where she learns that her date's married, and asks him if he'll remember her, only not to hear from him. The casualness of the affair is given when she says "You can take me home and tear my clothes off." The rapid-fire synths and blaring guitar is something Quarterflash would appropriate on "Walking On Ice" on their Back Into Blue. One of the best songs here. A similar tempo and sound can be found on "Pictures Of You"

"Beg, Steal Or Borrow" is notable for having a synth rhythm which may have been taken from "Boogie Shoes" with a rhythm guitar like "Every Breath you Take."

Another standout tune comes with "Now It's My Turn." What does Nunn have to say about a lover who's deserted here: "Now it's my turn/You hurt me then/I'll never let you hurt me again." A further warning to the perpetrator: "Don't think you'll get away/The pain has just begun." This was included on their greatest hits album.

Giorgio Moroder's association with Berlin began here, as he and Richie Zito produced two songs. The first is "Dancing In Berlin" on the divisions between mysterious Communist East Berlin and open and free-spirited West Berlin, including the line "Please, there's no wall in front of you." The other is the Top 30 single "No More Words" featuring a funky bass synth backbeat while louder keyboards and electric guitars snarl. The concept of all words but no action backing those words leads to the title being sung, followed by "you're telling me you love me while you're looking away." Nunn sings of "looking for a long romance/not a picture of passion or one time chance."

"Rumor Of Love" is notable in its being sung by one of the male members of the band, and his delivery along with the rhythm section makes this like a Cars song.

The shakiness of people in love is behind the bittersweet and cynical "For All Tomorrow's Lies." Although the song extols pairs to stay together as one, but things aren't that easy: "They tell you 'try to have hope.'/And fight for all you can/these words, you've heard them before/so easy to believe." The version included on their greatest hits is a ballad remix that matches the gloominess of the song, and not the upbeat synth version here.

"Fall" is a low-tempo number of coming alive in love. The guitars here echo the sound Berlin would encompass in Count Three And Pray. The frantic, giddy tempo of "Lost In The Crowd" rounds out the album and it rivals the tempo of "Touch." It too, has the same hard guitar of "Fall" while remaining true to its New Wave sound.

The definitive Berlin sound is demonstrated here, with the last two songs a hint of things to come. Before that, Berlin would emulate Genesis, read "And then there were three." Guitarists Dave Diamond and Ric Olsen would leave, as would keyboardist Matt Reid leaving behind original members Terri Nunn and John bassist/synth-man Crawford, and Robert Brill (drums). All they had to was count three and...pray.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Berlin's Best, February 3, 2004

By 

James Choma - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Love Life (Audio CD)

After seeing Berlin on VH1's "Band's Reunited," I had to dig through my old tapes to see what I had on this great band. As it turns out, I had "Pleasure Victim" and this album, "Love Life."

I put on "Love Life" and was amazed at how good the music still sounded. It's hard for me to believe this album and its predecesor were released 20+ years ago; it still sounds fresh! And Terri Nunn's voice... man, I was reminded what a great voice she had. On every song, from the pop hits ("No More Words") to the ballads ("Fall), her voice is picture perfect.

Speaking of "Fall," I'd have to say this has become my favorite song on the album. It's not a song that many people single out on this album, but I feel it deserves merit. John Crawford's lyrics flow like poetry when sung by Terri Nun:

"Colors all around;
Smile, cry, then laugh out loud
Feel the autumn breeze
Come alive..."

But now I see it's out of print??!! C'mon. Well, at least there are some good deals on Amazon.com out there as far as used CDs are concerned.

If you've never heard Berlin before, this is a good album to start out with. You'll get hits like "No More Words," "For All Tomorrow's Lies," "Dancing in Berlin," and "When We Make Love," as well as hidden gems like "Fall." Whether you're in an 80's mood or just want something "new" to listen to, this is a great place to start.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fall In Love...with BERLIN, April 13, 2003

By 

Todd W. G. Johnson (Kansas City, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Love Life (Audio CD)

I remember when this album came out, back in 1984. I used to have to listen to it in private, due to the then-taboo subject matter it contained. It was always such a guilty pleasure (though tame by today's standards) which still sounds just as fresh and invigorating as ever (and is mixed rather well-complete with some excellent stereo effects).
It opens with the mysterious "When we Make Love", which sets the stage for the wonderful production that follows. This track is about a woman who brings various men home for love-making sessions, and videotapes the events so that she can "remember all you whisper" and "see you on the screen forever". A concept that was way ahead of its time (for a pop tune). The reason the music still sounds fresh, in my opinion, is because it effectively blends dreamy synths, slashing guitars, powerful live and programmed drums which add up to a winning combination. Topped with the beautiful Terri Nunn's perfect vocals-this is Berlin at their finest.
In this sophmore effort, Ms. Nunn effectively displays her maturity and proves that she has become a rather strong vocalist. "Touch", "Dancing in Berlin", "Pictures of You", "No More Words" and "Lost in the Crowd" are energy-laced uptempo numbers which inspire your hooves into a frenzy, while the rest of the CD sends you on a soothing, relaxing (yet never dull) journey through some of the various shadings of life's pleasures and troubles. "Now it's My Turn" (with brilliant lyrics portraying love as a metaphor for crime) and "In My Dreams" (a wonderful song about lucid dreaming/fantasizing about being with an otherwise unavailable partner "You could spend the night with me and never know you were here/in my dreams") especially display John Crawford's songwriting talents (where is he now, by the way?).
Giorgio Moroder adds his magic production to "No More Words" and "Dancing in Berlin", which take Berlin's credibility to incredible heights (like he did for Blondie in the mega-smash "Call Me"). A favourite track that is thankfully included (previously a B-side that was not included on the old vinyl version of Love Life)is the gorgeous "Rumor of Love" which allows John Crawford to take on the lead vocal in a MUCH better manner than he did on Pleasure Victim's "Sex (I'm A...) and, by the way, this track DOES feature Terri singing (backup vocals). As a young man coming of age in the 80's, this song also provided me with hours of hope and fantasy about the love I would someday encounter. Love Life also showcases Terri's brilliant talent for arranging the disc's rather creative background vocals. It is a masterpiece!
If you listen to this CD and find yourself wanting more Berlin, check out their latest offering "Voyeur". Although Terri is the only remaining member from the Original band lineup, it displays very strong musicianship and the best vocals Terri has offered to date! I just would like to know what became of the other band members: David Diamond, John Crawford, Rob Brill, Matt Reid, and Ric Olsen. There is no mention of them in Voyeur's liner notes.
Love Life is a must-have, "desert island" disc that belongs in every music collection. Buy it today! It's a sheer pleasure from beginning to end!