Search - Ultravox :: Island Years

Ultravox - The Island Years

GraceNoteX | 11/04/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Finally, most of the John Foxx-era Ultravox tunes are available on one CD. The Island Years features all the great, long-unavailable early tunes."

Good Introduction (from a formerly trusted friend)

GraceNoteX | Houston, TX United States | 05/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'd love to give this CD 5 stars, and in many ways it deserves 5 stars (the material was so far ahead of its time and so influential on artists ranging from Gary Numan to all of the New Romantics movement, the compilation is so wonderfully inclusive, the sound and mastering job is so good), but the gems here are all slightly flawed by the elements that clearly date this material in the late 70s and early 80s.



But gems they are, even with the flaws. John Foxx's vocals tread dangerous melodic curves effortlessly. The musicianship is wonderfully tight and often inspired. The hooks (both melodic and from production values) stick in the head and draw me back to the tracks repeatedly.



"I Want to Be a Machine" is a great example of both the album's weaknesses and strengths. It begins with an acoustic guitar backed vocal that could easily be a lost track from David Bowie's "Hunky Dory" album (in melody, lyrics and vocal delivery), and initially the song could be dismissed as derivative homage to Bowie. Then, in the second chorus, the bass line and electric guitar kick in with a force rarely achieved on recent recordings. Eno's production work turns the chorus into an awesome hook (more than a little reminiscent of Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the Machine" but in a very positive way), and Foxx's vocal control as he rides over the instruments is gorgeous, and the entire song is redeemed.



"Life at Rainbow's End" combines the humor and wit of Foxx's lyrics and delivery with a melody that is instantly catchy yet able to hold up to repeat listens.



"Hiroshima Mon Amour" still stands as a blueprint for the best of what OMD, Human League and all the other New Romantics would later produce. And of course "Dangerous Rhythm" is absolutely iconic synth-pop.



All in all, a must have for fans of smart and sophisticated synth-pop.

"

Ultravox at their best

Kemistry | Charlotte, NC United States | 05/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been waiting a long, long time for the best of the John Foxx era of Ultravox to become available on one CD. The selection covers almost all the songs from this era in Ultravox's history and brings back memories of listening to the old vinyl versions I've had for years. The sound quality is wonderful also. A very reasonable price for some classic post-punk/New Wave songs. John Foxx deserves more credit for his contribution to this genre of music."