This is the final album from the Be Bop’s, released in ’78. In a short space of time, they released 5 studio albums and a live album, and each one is different from the previous. This album is quite new wave sounding – before it became fashionable to use the term new wave. There are lots of keyboards on this album, and I have always found it very American sounding – in line with a Talking Heads sort of vibe.
Bill Nelson’s vocals and his guitar make this album way above any other bands around at the time. I was quite sad when Bill called it a day with the band, and then he formed the short lived, Red Noise, before going solo and collaborating with too many people to mention here. My favourite Be Bop Deluxe album is Axe Victim, which is a million miles away in style from this album – as the emphasis was on the songs and the guitar. Here, however, the songs are still of great importance but presented in a futuristic style.
I love the opening track, Electrical Language, which has a superb groove and some great guitar. New Mysteries is a killer track with a very off beat and groove with some superb playing from Bill. Love In Flames is as close as the band came to a punk vibe, especially the vocal line. The start of Panic In The World reminds me of Heroes by Bowie, whom Bill was influenced by early on.
Not their best album, but still a very enjoyable record.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
