Vienna (album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vienna
Vienna cover
Studio album by Ultravox
Released 11 July 1980
Recorded RAK Studios, London, 1980
Genre New Romantic
New Wave
Synthpop
Length 43:37
Label Chrysalis Records
Producer Conny Plank, Ultravox
Professional reviews
Ultravox chronology
Systems of Romance
(1978)		 Vienna
(1980)		 Rage in Eden
(1981)
Singles from Vienna
  1. "Sleepwalk"
    Released: 1980
  2. "Passing Strangers"
    Released: 1980
  3. "Vienna"
    Released: 1981
  4. "All Stood Still"
    Released: 1981

Vienna is the fourth studio LP by the new romantic band Ultravox, first released on 11 July 1980. The album peaked at #3 in the UK charts and was the first Ultravox release to enter the UK top ten.

Contents

[edit] Background

For Vienna, the band decided to once again work with renowned producer Conny Plank as they did on their previous album Systems of Romance. The tracks were mixed at Plank's studio near Cologne, Germany.

This release signalled a change in direction for Ultravox, being the first album with Midge Ure as frontman and also the first to be released under Chrysalis Records. Many different styles are in use on the album; "Astradyne" is a long instrumental featuring sweeping, majestic synthesizer arrangements throughout, while "Mr. X" is a much more sparse and simplistic affair. The lyrics to the album's songs were mainly written between Ure and drummer Warren Cann, who also takes a rare lead vocal on "Mr. X".

The album was remastered and re-issued on CD in 2000 under the EMI Gold label. This release also includes a selection of b-sides from the album's singles as bonus tracks and the music video for the "Vienna" single.

[edit] Singles

Four singles were released from the album from 1980 to 1981, the most prominent one being the title track which hit #2 in the UK charts.

  1. "Sleepwalk" (16 June 1980, #29 UK)
  2. "Passing Strangers" (15 October 1980, #57 UK)
  3. "Vienna" (15 January 1981, #2 UK)
  4. "All Stood Still" (26 May 1981, #8 UK)

[edit] Chart positions

  • The Netherlands - #1[1]
  • United Kingdom - #3[2]
  • Sweden - #6[3]
  • Norway - #18[4]
  • West Germany - #22

The album was certified Platinum by the BPI on February 9th, 1981.[5]

[edit] Track listing

All songs written by Warren Cann, Chris Cross, Billy Currie, Midge Ure.

[edit] Original release: CHR 1296

Side A:

  1. "Astradyne" – 7:07
  2. "New Europeans" – 4:01
  3. "Private Lives" – 4:06
  4. "Passing Strangers" – 3:48
  5. "Sleepwalk" – 3:10

Side B:

  1. "Mr. X" – 6:33
  2. "Western Promise" – 5:18
  3. "Vienna" – 4:53
  4. "All Stood Still" – 4:21

[edit] U.S. release: DIDX 397

Side A:

  1. "Sleepwalk" – 3:10
  2. "Passing Strangers" – 3:48
  3. "New Europeans" – 4:01
  4. "Private Lives" – 4:06
  5. "Astradyne" – 7:07

Side B:

  1. "Mr. X" – 6:33
  2. "Western Promise" – 5:18
  3. "Vienna" – 4:53
  4. "All Stood Still" – 4:21

[edit] CD re-release: 7243 5 25523 0 6

  1. "Astradyne" – 7:07
  2. "New Europeans" – 4:01
  3. "Private Lives" – 4:06
  4. "Passing Strangers" – 3:48
  5. "Sleepwalk" – 3:10
  6. "Mr. X" – 6:33
  7. "Western Promise" – 5:18
  8. "Vienna" – 4:53
  9. "All Stood Still" – 4:21

Bonus tracks:

  1. "Waiting" – 3:51
  2. "Passionate Reply" – 4:17
  3. "Herr X" – 5:49
  4. "Alles Klar" – 4:53

[edit] Personnel

  • Warren Cann - drums, percussion, backing vocals, lead vocals on tracks 6 and 12
  • Chris Cross - bass, synthesizer, backing vocals
  • Billy Currie - keyboards, violin, synthesizer
  • Midge Ure - guitar, synthesizer, lead vocals (except tracks 6 and 12)
  • Conny Plank - co-production
  • Brian Griffin - cover photography

[edit] References

  1. ^ Welcome to the Ultravox Forum: Ultravox & related - chart runs
  2. ^ everyHit.com - UK Top 40 Chart Archive, British Singles & Album Charts
  3. ^ Ultravox - Vienna - austriancharts.at
  4. ^ Ultravox - Vienna - austriancharts.at
  5. ^ Platinum Awards Content

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Ultravox
John Foxx • Chris Cross • Billy Currie • Stevie Shears • Warren Cann • Robin Simon • Midge Ure • Tony Fenelle • Sam Blue
Studio albums
Ultravox! • Ha!-Ha!-Ha! • Systems of Romance • Vienna • Rage in Eden • Quartet • Lament • U-Vox • Revelation • Ingenuity
Live albums
Live In Concert 1981 • Monument • Future Picture
Compilations
Three into One • The Collection • Slow Motion • Rare, Vol. 1 • Rare, Vol. 2 • The Voice: The Best of Ultravox • Dancing with Tears in My Eyes • Extended Ultravox • The Island Years • The Very Best Of Midge Ure & Ultravox • Finest
Singles
Dangerous Rhythm • Young Savage • ROckwrok • Slow Motion • Quiet Men • Sleepwalk • Passing Strangers • Vienna • All Stood Still • New Europeans • The Thin Wall • The Voice • Reap The Wild Wind • Hymn • Visions in Blue • We Came To Dance • One Small Day • Dancing with Tears in My Eyes • Lament • Heart of the Country • Love's Great Adventure • Same Old Story • All Fall Down • All In One Day • Vienna 92 • I Am Alive • There Goes a Beautiful World