"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!!!"
An expanded version of a lost 80's classic
Michael Paulsen | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA USA | 07/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Das Testament auf a great album
Michael Paulsen | 11/02/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
80s Teutonic Techno-Wizardry With Soul!
Doc Sarvis | 08/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Synthpop At It's Best
Michael 80 | San Francisco,USA | 02/12/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"During the '80's there was an explosion of bands (a lot of them British) that used synthesizers to inovate their sound.A lot of them succeeded too..(Depeche Mode,Heaven 17,Human League etc.)in gaining a mass audience that welcomed each new album with relish.However, no one really established the chilling effect of synthpop like Propaganda did.Hailing from Germany, these four musicians made a masterpiece during 1985 that would define the '80s alternative music scene forever.With British ace producers Trevor Horn and Steve Lipson at the helm,A Secret Wish was born.The cinematic opener,A Dream Within A Dream is truly a standout.Singer Suzanne Freytag's icy narration lasts well over 8 minutes before turning over the major vocal duties to Claudia Brucken who has the most unsual but interesting voice that debut's on The Murder Of Love.Duel and P-machinery were the commercials high points.Both were sizeable hits with a heavy percussion sound.The rest of the album is much darker and forbidding .Dr Mabuse(their first single)tells the tale of evil doings,while Frozen Faces(another standout)and The Chase highlight Claudia's voice to the best effect.The closing track Strength To Dream establishes once again the chilling cinematic presence of the album opener A Dream Within A Dream.This album is truly a classic.I just hope that Propaganda would reform and make another masterpiece like this one."