This album captures the ULTRAVOX (Midge Ure era) sound in all it's glory. Most of the tracks on the album still stand up today.
"The Voice" which was one of the singles released from this album, still sounds strong and (mystic and) soulful. I went to see Ultravox during the RAGE IN EDEN Tour ... Read review
A review by sysip10 on Rage In Eden - Ultravox August 18th, 2000
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks
A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Advantages:
CLASSIC ALBUM / STILL STANDS UP TODAY
Disadvantages:
ONE OR TWO WEAKER SONGS
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
This album captures the ULTRAVOX (Midge Ure era) sound in all it's glory. Most of the tracks on the album still stand up today. "The Voice" which was one of the singles released from this album, still sounds strong and (mystic and) soulful. I went to see Ultravox during the RAGE IN EDEN Tour and I can still remember what a special atmosphere (and time) that was. Some of the other highlights of this album are the very moody "I Remember (Death In The Afternoon)" , another single release was "The Thin Wall". The video for this one witht he hands coming through the wall still looks good today. Well not as dated as most 80's pop promos. The only blot on this album in my option is the track "Your Name Has Slipped My Mind Again", pretty weak and minor track. This would have been better as a b-side. The memories of those early 80's days are all here in this highly recommended album.
Advantages: Good songwriting, well-produced Disadvantages: Pretentious- very, very pretentious
Ultravox are generally considered as a band of two eras- before Midge Ure joined, and after he joined. The odd, often minimalistic musing of their New Wave era of the late 70s had long been brushed away by the time "Rage in Eden" appeared in 1981, the follow-up to their breakthrough album "Vienna". People generally either love or hate Ultravox, and it's easy to see the reasoning of both sides on this album. Midge Ure's vocals and lyrics are utterly ... ...disappear up itself in no uncertain manner. Scattered throughout the album, such as on songs like "The Stranger Within" are moments of over-theatrical warbling.
That said, some of the songs here are quite beautiful, with the synths on "The Ascent" sounding especially gorgeous. The production is top-notch and the album has a pristine, modern sheen to it which puts it ahead of the competition. If you're a fan of well-crafted synth-pop then I would ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Album Notes: Ultravox includes: Midge Ure (vocals, guitar); Billy Currie (keyboards); Chris Cross (bass); Warren Cann (drums). VIENNA introduced ex-Rich Kids vocalist/guitarist Midge Ure, who stepped in to fill guitarist Robin Simon and singer John Foxx's shoes, and heralded a shift to a more lush, synth-driven melodic approach. Its successor RAGE IN EDEN follows the path, exploiting Ure's almost Freddie Mercury-like operatic tendencies and further promoting the move toward more accessible melodies. The biggest difference is a darker mood that makes RAGE IN EDEN Ultravox's most ominous-sounding effort. As before, Billy Currie's signature ARP synthesizer leads wail and squeal over the predominantly electronic rhythm tracks, and Ure's theatrical vocals up the drama quotient. But with the apocalyptic/paranoid lyrics of "The Thin Wall" and "Stranger Within," and the quiet doominess of "I Remember (Death in the Afternoon)," the group appears like the herald of some dread new order of European society. Fortunately for the listener, memorable melodies and syncopated rhythms accompany these dark themes. On "Your Name (Has Slipped My Mind Again)," the 'Voxers prove they don't need synthesizers to sound creepy, as Ure delivers a chilling plaint over little more than piano and bass drum. Successive albums would move Ultravox ever closer to pure pop, but RAGE is surely its most unnerving moment.
Titles on disc 1
1.: Voice
2.: We Stand Alone
3.: I Remember Death In The Afternoon
4.: Thin Wall
5.: Stranger Within
6.: Accent On Youth
7.: Ascent
8.: Rage In Eden
9.: Your Name Has Slipped My Mind Again
10.: I Never Wanted To Begin
11.: Paths And Angles
12.: I Never Wanted To Begin (extended version)
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Listed on Ciao since : 18/08/2000
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