Search - Propaganda :: 1,2,3,4

Excellent: In a different way

J. grassa | Salemi, Italy | 09/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't think i am overstating that with their debut, Propaganda acheived a status close to that which Kraftwerk acheived in the 70's, however the band was unfortunately not to remain intact long enough so as to capitalise on the stunning success of their teutonic masterpiece that was "A Secret Wish".

After the gigantic production sound of this debut (produced by S. Lipson of Trevor Horn's production house ZTT), this second offering from a radically different Propaganda came as a great surprise to fans when it was released in 1990, a full six years after A Secret Wish. By this time of course both singers (Claudia Brucken and Suzanne Freytag) had departed, which in most bands will always signal a great shift in sound given the voice is a key instrument, but in Prpoaganda's it was even more significant given Brucken's cold and yet luminescent delivery on their debut. In addition, of the two remaining male members only one remained (Mertens) to be then augmented by Derek Forbes (Simple Minds) and Brian McGee, with vocals now be taken up by american expat Betsi Miller.



So 1 2 3 4 - what's it like? Given the radical surgery on the band, it is quite good. Something just short of brilliant in my books. Beautiful and engaging pop songs with a somewhat darker european sensibility. You would never guess Miller is American, which could be due to her German upbringing in a U.S. Naval base in West Germany. With song contributions by Howard Jones and a warm and clean production bu Ian Stanley (Tears for Fears)this a strong collection of quality songs. Without packing the punches of its predecessor, it delivers song after song, to the very end with a beautiful instrumental. I recall the Virgin publicity at the time quoting some reviewer saying "there are no dud tracks on 1234" and I have to wholeheartedly agree. Highly recommended."