Pleasure Of Electricity, The - John Foxx/Louis Gordon

Advantages: Pioneer of UK Electronic Music
Disadvantages: Lacking Commercial Sucess

...John Foxx (real name Dennis Leigh) was the former lead singer with ULTRAVOX in the 70’s. He left Ultravox in 1979 (Midge Ure look over the Ultravox become HUGE) to peruse a solo career. In 1980 the classic and extremely influential LP METAMATIC. The likes of GARY NUMAN has sited JOHN FOXX as an inspiration for this own career. John Foxx did manage some level of success in the early to mid 80’s. Hit singles like UNDERPASS, NO-ONE DRIVING and BURNING CAR all from the Metamatic era. The next album from 1982 THE GARDEN again is a classic. Showing the multi-talents of John Foxx. The title track is so atmospheric and the whole album has a warm sense throughout. Others albums include 1983 THE GOLDEN SECTION and the 1985 IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS. John took a break from music for a number of years after being somewhat disillusioned, concentrating... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic

Advantages: Classic electro album, remastering adds a real boost
Disadvantages: None

...Metamatic was the first solo outing from John Foxx after he split with Ultravox! Ultravox! went on to rather greater fame with the replacement lead singer, some Midge Ure guy but for Ultravox! fans, John Foxx was the real deal. Metamatic deals with many themes and obsessions such as car crashes, Europe, relationships and too much J G Ballard and Philip K Dick which were bouncing around Foxx's head at the time as well as having elements of a story he was working on (and still is!). The lyrics are often full of grey cold imagery but all laced with an almost minimalist electro sound that was years ahead of it's time. It has to be said, he does also write some plain out and out baffling lyrics too - perhaps he uses the old Bowie 'cut up words' technique sometimes? Unlike the previous CD release which was fine but sounded like it was a bit... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Some good tracks
Disadvantages: Too many misses

...After an excellent start with the self-titled first album, 1977’s Ha! Ha! Ha! was a sad disappointment, despite featuring a couple of outstanding tracks in the perplexing Man Who Dies Every Day and Hiroshima Mon Amour. The latter, named after the acclaimed 1959 film by Alain Resnais, was a subtle yet innovative blend of drum machine, keyboards, saxophone and John Foxx’s crooned vocal. It was also to be the last material issued by the original line up of Foxx, Chris Cross (bass), Warren Cann (drums), Billy Currie (keyboards and violin) and Stevie Shears (guitar). After the panning which faced Ha! Ha! Ha!, a disillusioned Shears left the group, to be replaced by Robin Simon. It has to be said though that there is good stuff here and the early Ultravox deserve to be better known than they are.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful