Album: “Afternoons in Utopia”

Description

Alphaville: Marian Gold, Bernhard Lloyd, Ricky Echolette. Additional personnel: Janey Klimek (vocals); Phil Palmer, Jimmy Ripp, Gustl Luetjens (guitar); Phil Todd (saxophone); Guy Barker, Stuart Brooks (trumpet); Neil Sidwell (trombone); Dave Lebold, Wolfgang Loos, Robin Smith, Peter Walsh (keyboards); Andy Brown, Carmine Rojas (bass); Alan Childs, Bob Jenkins, Roger Linn (drums); Turhan Geza, Jimmy Maelen, Frank Ricotti (percussion). Producers: Peter Walsh, Steve Thompson, Michael Barbiero, Wolfgang Loos, Peter Walsh. Engineers: Stephen Chase, Michael Barbiero, Wolfgang Loos. Recorded at Media Sound Studios, New York, New York; Studio 54 & Hansa Studios, Berlin, Germany between September 1985 & May 1986. Named after Godard's 1959 science-fiction masterpiece and heavily influenced by '80s synth bands like Depeche Mode, Alphaville was the Munich-based trio of Marian Gold, Bernhard Lloyd and Frank Mertens. Beginning and ending with brief, atmospheric synthesizer instrumentals, their second album AFTERNOONS IN UTOPIA investigates somber but catchy synth-pop not unlike late Ultravox, including the title track and "Red Rose." These are counterbalanced by more peculiar fare like the impenetrable "Carol Masters" and the intriguing, seven-minute "Lassie Come Home." The singles "Dance With Me" and "Fantastic Dream" were club hits, but by the time of this album's 1986 release, synth-pop was no longer a chart concern, and Alphaville quickly faded from sight.