Some say they were poseurs.

There was definitely talent there though.

I quite liked this:

I could use a primer as I've only heard some really cheesy radio hits. That video above sounds a bit like Sparks.

The only Ultravox I'd heard blew, but that's a cool track. Midge Ure was briefly a member of Thin Lizzy.

Their best album I think is Vienna, which is miles better than most of the rest. The early stuff is ok. Post Vienna pretty much sucks.

NOT CRAP some waffles.

Vienna is the best one without John Foxx and it's quite different than their first 3, which are also great in a different way.

I listened to Vienna yesterday. It's a pretty good record that would likely appeal to anyone into Teardrop Explodes or mid-period Killing Joke.

Only super familiar with the Ure stuff, but pretty much agree that Vienna is probably their best album, and you can skim the subsequent singles/highlights from any reasonable "Best Of..." you can get your hands on.

Considering they've become a sort of synthpop mainstay, there's a solid amount of pretty rocking guitar and live drums underpinning their sound. The Vienna album definitely has a sound closer to Tubeway Army than to a lot of synth/electro bands of that period. A track like All Stood Still, especially, sounds like a glammed-up Numan number.



NC

Was just reading about Vienna the song. Apparently a couple of guys in the band wanted to make a song that sounded romantic and classical sounding. Midge Ure was not a fan and said to Conny Plank, "This means nothing to me" to which Plank replied, "Well, sing that then."