Customer Reviews

Secret Wish

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although I'm a fervent admirer of Depeche Mode, OMD, New Order and Human League, I have to admit that this album tops anything I own from the eighties, even Depeche's masterpiece "Black Celebration". I think I must have listened to this cd a thousand times, and think I'll never get tired of listening to it. These songs were constructed with such perfection! and it's the debut & farewell album by this great german Industrial-Techno-Pop group (I'm not taking in account the later album "1-2-3-4", because it didn't feature the original group). "Duel" is one of those classic songs that stick to you forever, with gorgeous vocals by Claudia Brücken, and just the same can be said of the rest of the cd, especially "Dr. Mabuse", a wonderfully dramatic song, and "P Machinery". Do yourself a favour and be introduced to the definitive techno-masterpiece of the eighties, and it deserves ten stars!!!

I've been hearing and seeing people elsewhere bicker about this imported remaster, so I'm going to clear up the facts and variations to this album, as it is in-comparable in similarity to the second original release which some heard back in 1985.

This re-release is neither the re-master of the USA, German, or original UK versions that were issued under ZZT publisher. It's actually the remaster of the "actual" original album published under ZZT/Polystar, and Island Records in the first quarters of 1985 (which was issued all over Japan and Germany). As some are saying tracks like "Dr. Mabuse" and "Jewell" are sounding more off beat and with ill-reverb. The second issue album which became the commercial release held up to 10-11 tracks. With "Dr. Mabuse" separated from "Strength To Dream." In the original release they were together, and it was titled in composite "Das Testament Des Mabuse." So before buying, here is the actual track list of what your getting other than what's printed or clarified on the label.

1. 9:08 Dream Within A Dream (extended and remixed)
2. 5:13 The Murder Of Love
3. 6:23 Jewel (cut rough minus the first cut intro)
4. 4:43 Duel (cd remix)
5. 4:25 Frozen Faces
6. 3:50 p:Machinery (single mix, which was on all releases)
7. 3:27 Sorry For Laughing
8. 4:05 The Chase
9. 10:42 Das Testament Des Mabuse/Strength To Dream ["Dr. Mabuse"]

DVD (Region 2) 5.1: Music Videos and Discography Gallery)
1 Dr. Mabuse (Version 1)
2 Dr. Mabuse (Version 2)
3 Duel (Version 1)
4 Duel (Version 2)
5 p-machinery

Does it make it less worth the buck for importing? Heck NO! I think this remaster in fact, is a treasure trove! (As this version was released in limited round.) The sound is much better and crystal than it has ever been, and it comes with goodies if you have a region free DVD player on ya!

I had the original import back in the '80s. I had lost the CD due to a break-up. I had longed for the haunting and mesmerising vocals from the girls. I was astonished when I found the ressurection of the album (no matter how it is mixed). Duel is probably my favorite song of all times and takes me back to a time when my cares were minimal and life was simple. This is a 5-star+. I urge anyone who is considering this CD to break down and get it. You will not be disappointed.

In the mid-80's, master producer Trevor Horn (ex-Buggles and Yes) and his mates at ZTT were forces to be reckoned with. Amidst the frenzied hype of the Art of Noise and Frankie Goes to Hollywood came this gorgeous & glossy techno-pop album from Germany that still stands as a pillar (if not a benchmark) of what great 80's music was all about. While the album reaches lofty heights not only in Lipson & Horn's production but its subject matter: a collage of Teutonic industrial futurism, mock-fascism, sadomasochism, sacrilege and European romanticism & intrigue. Amazingly, it never becomes overly pretentious or blatantly controversial.

This reissued version finally includes the B-side "Frozen Faces" which has been available on the UK version for some time now, as well as an expanded 6-minute version of "Jewel" which was never released in the US (to my knowledge). A necessary addition to any pop music collection.

The wash of dreaminess and wonder, unleashed emotions and unbridled power comes across in these soundscapes. The album works best in its entirety and one can get lost in surreal landscapes and thunderstorms of the soul. The brilliance of Trevor Horn's production wizardry finds a home with haunting musical landscapes and lyrics that sing about freedom, doubt and the mystery that is our universe. This LP has an all-star cast as well: David Sylvian (from the band Japan), Steve Howe (Yes, Asia), Ian Mosley (Marillion) and Glen Gregory (Heaven 17) among others. Unfortunately, the US (Island) release mis-names the tracks (#5, "Frozen Faces" does not appear on the US) and when you listen to the real-audio sample above, you are hearing instead a cut from track #6, "P-machinery." If you happen to pick this album up, you will not be disappointed. With over two thousand recordings in my personal collection and having listened to many times that number in my lifetime, this recording ranks as my #1 favourite of all time; it beats Sgt. Pepper and Dark Side of the Moon. To a Euro-musik fan, this is as good as it gets.

THIS IS WITHOUT DOUBT THE MOST AWESOME ALBUM TO COME OUT OF EUROPE IN THE 1980'S. THIS IS INCREDIBLE AND SINCE IT'S FROM THE SAME PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT YOU FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD AND THE ART OF NOISE IT IS INCREDIBLE. IT'S HARD TO TELL WHICH IS BETTER CLAUDIA BRUCKEN'S INCREDIBLE VOICE OR SUSANNAH FREYTAG'S SPEAKING VOICE BOTH OF WHICH ARE WORKED. P-MACHINARY AND DR MABUSE ARE BOTH STILL FABULOUS AFTER 20 YEARS. DR MABUSE IS 11:43 AND THE LAST THREE MINUTES ARE THREE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE SOUNDING MINUTES YOU WILL EVER HEAR. THERE'S EVAN A THUNDERSTORM WITH POURING RAIN AND THUNDER. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR - BUY THIS CD!!!

I read in a Q MAGAZINE synth pop special about how great this album was and that it was considered a essential synth pop album. All the reviews on amazon.com agreed. Given that I boughth the album and I can only say: WOW! What was the last time you heard an album for the first time and song after song perfection you wish the album would never end? This only happens with a few albums, those considered masterpieces. Well, there you have it. From the first chords of the very first song you will know you are hearing something special. I love all the songs! If you are a fan of Pet Shop Boys, OMD, Depeche, etc. you will instantly fall in love with this album.

Claudia Brucken & Suzanne Freytag. The most deliciously tantalizing combination in electronic pop history. The band just wasn't the same after Claudia left. But this album is truly magical. If Kraftwerk invented the genre and gave life to it, Propaganda breathed emotion & passion into it. Solid synth work, and absolutely gorgeous vocal arrangements. They tried being like Kraftwerk.....but they did so much better than kraftwerk could ever hope to. (God strike me down for my blasphemy!) Featuring Trevor Horn's slick production, and contributions from celebrities such as: Glenn Gregory (Heaven-17), David Sylvian (Japan), and Steve Howe (Yes), this album is a literal who's who of musical talent. It's a crime that this album didn't do better in the States. A true Gem of 80's & pop music perfection. This album is the prefect way to introduce new listeners to the synth music genre. I was sold the first time I heard Duel & Dr. Mabuse. Americans may have invented the Synthesizer. But the Germans perfected it. And this album is living proof. Fans should also check out Claudia Brucken's work with Act, and Spirit Feel. And I can't WAIT for her very-soon-to-be-released & much-anticipated collaboration with Paul Humphreys of OMD. Should be out in early 2004 I hear. Buy this album....and it will get stuck in your CD Changer. I guarantee it.

(I like this album so much that I sought out and am herewith reproducing my review from the discontinued 1984 CD version!)

" 5.0 out of 5 stars: Transcendent Synth, April 9, 2005 "

The absolute apotheosis of 80s synthesizer music. One of my favorite and most-listened-to albums by anyone, ever. Atmospheric, expansive, compelling. Redoubtable, riveting; full of miraculous chordal progressions which almost seem to defy logic, gravity, and all previous musical invention. Sounds crazy? Nope, it's really that good. A work of undisputed genius.

Propaganda never again reached this peak ...But then neither did anyone else.

Miss "A Secret Wish" at your peril!

What a great album! One of the few 80s techno recordings to really stand the test of time, this remains wonderfully melodic, infectious pop music, but with an undercurrent of Euro-sophistication that lends itself to multiple listenings over time. The female vocalists are simply fantastic! Highly recommended. One caution: Several versions of this recording exist, with different tracks, etc. This is an expanded version, and thus is the right one to get.