What a remarkable band Ultravox truly were. If the original version of this hits collection – first released way back in 1984 – didn’t already confirm this to you, then this four-CD, two Blu-Ray version (also released on 4 disc clear vinyl, as per the photo here) should absolutely knock you sideways. If it doesn’t, I fear you were probably dropped on your head as a child.
The band’s 1981 number two hit ‘Vienna‘ (let’s not talk about that chart position, you know where it’s headed) will forever remain their best-known song, of course, and why wouldn’t it? After all, its striking sense of menace and unapologetic pomp was something to behold, the story of a holiday love affair, and it still sounds just as fresh today, but there was so much more to Ultravox than that, and this deluxe edition of The Collection certifiably hammers the point home.
From the earliest musings of the John Foxx-led incarnation of the band, at that point stylised with an exclamation mark at the end of their name, there was always a more commercial sound screaming to get out. Not to say those formative first few albums weren’t brilliant too – they absolutely were – but this particular set focuses solely upon the genesis of the Midge Ure fronted line-up from 1980 onwards, heralding the most successful period of their career.
The band’s ‘other’ stratospheric selling hit ‘Dancing With Tears In My Eyes‘ introduces this collection – another gritty record with an apocalyptic vision – they weren’t the most cheerful bunch, musically, Ultravox, but this is all part of what made them so intensely beguiling. Yet they never felt depressing. If anything, they found immense beauty in the darkest situations – see ‘Hymn’ and ‘Lament’ if you really needed any further confirmation of this. There are, of course, more upbeat numbers in the shape of 1981’s ‘All Stood Still’ (though even this is based on the idea of a nuclear holocaust) or the then-unreleased ‘Love’s Great Adventure‘ from three years later, unequivocally the band’s most cheerful single.
The Collection isn’t entirely definitive, of course, as the Foxx era is not represented, and the band also had three further singles following the initial release, but I’d say it wraps up this particular period very nicely and shows how ahead of their time Ultravox unquestionably were. Further proof of this can be found on the various alternative versions and remixes on discs two and three here. Perhaps the best of those is Steven Wilson‘s mix of ‘White China‘, bringing an almost New Order style vibe to proceedings, but the jewel in the crown of this deluxe version is disc four, which brings together all the fabulous B-sides to those fantastic singles. The flip of ‘Vienna‘ is particularly pleasing, ‘Passionate Reply‘ somewhat revisiting the kind of ‘Krautrock’ style that Foxx had steered the band toward in the 1970s. Another highlight is the ‘Visions Of Blue‘ reverse ‘Break Your Back‘, a bizarre stab at something like Herbie Hancock‘s ‘Rockit‘. This is where Ultravox really got to try out new things, and it’s so much fun to witness.
The last two discs – on Blu-Ray – comprise all of these singles’ promotional videos, along with some live captures and further mixes on disc one and finally, on disc two, a whole host of TV spots as Ultravox became Top Of The Pops regulars, also featuring on Old Grey Whistle Test and The Kenny Everett Show among others. It’s all packaged somewhat divinely, too, in a vinyl-sized box, complete with two splendid booklets containing each single’s artwork and the accompanying lyrics.
An overwhelmingly exceptional box set if ever there was one.
The Collection – Deluxe Edition is out now on Chrysalis.
