Ultravox and beyond

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   It's not my kind of music, but various others here aren't either, so I don't see why not.

I don't think anyopne can deny that the music was progressive in the sense that it hadn't been done before, but then again neither had Disco, for instance.

My main gripe would be that it was all very slick and streamlined, and I somehow can't help perceiving it as Yuppie music and catering for the masses, whereas other styles seemed to do their personal thing without special regard for acceptance.

The only album in this style I own is Ultravox's Vienna, and I find it pleasant listening but not much more.

Do you have any particular recommendations that would show me that it's not all played in 4/4? I'd be quite interested.

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npjnpj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 05 2007 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 2720	Posted: August 31 2014 at 16:20
	It's not my kind of music, but various others here aren't either, so I don't see why not. I don't think anyopne can deny that the music was progressive in the sense that it hadn't been done before, but then again neither had Disco, for instance. My main gripe would be that it was all very slick and streamlined, and I somehow can't help perceiving it as Yuppie music and catering for the masses, whereas other styles seemed to do their personal thing without special regard for acceptance. The only album in this style I own is Ultravox's Vienna, and I find it pleasant listening but not much more. Do you have any particular recommendations that would show me that it's not all played in 4/4? I'd be quite interested.

tszirmay Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: August 17 2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 6673	Posted: August 31 2014 at 16:00
	As a long-time member of PA and a prog career that spans the entire style historically, I most humbly request the blessing from you, all of you, to express an issue I have had since day one of PA. The target of my disappointment and now, the resolve to remedy the situation is the omission of a style of New Wave artists who fully deserve at the very least consideration such as Depeche Mode, Magazine, Bauhaus and Peter Murphy, New Muzik, Simple Minds as well as my ultimate ‘cause celebre’, Ultravox! This band was, is and continues to be influential with a slew of albums as well as John Foxx solo discography that is still light years forward, memorable futurist songs like “Metal Beat”, “Dislocation”, “Maximum Acceleration”, “Mr. X” and “Vienna” were warp speed away from the current trendy sounds, prog or otherwise. Truly great music with serious progressive, gothic and punk leanings galore. John Foxx is an outright genius and his replacement Midge Ure is no slouch, finally releasing a 2014 album that just might swing the balance in favor of possible inclusion. It would be an honorable and entirely correct interpretation of what is progressive, the grandiose melodies alone bathe in dense classicism. Lots of class and mood, is found on “Fragile”, the title chosen to stamp “prog” on the thingy, so let’s give it a Yes album designation! Wink wink, nod nod. My bone to pick is that if we included Journey, Talking Heads, Japan, 10cc, Swans and as poppy a Yes album as the despicable “Open your Eyes”, then why not consider Ultravox, John Foxx and Midge Ure? Fine, it’s synth-pop /electronica but on “Fragile” especially, the sweeping melodies are just beyond belief, probably 2014’s best album and a definite classic for eternity. I am still waiting for my copy but I did listen to all the tunes and it’s a spotless set of thunderous songs, full of depth, glimmering technique and crisp production. Give it all a listen, stay away from all the pop hits and address the true core of their respective careers and give an opinion. Prog-related at the very least, IMHO.
	I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth.