Disco de Visage: “Visage [Bonus Track]”

After the huge success of 'Fade to Grey'(a single that is rightfully regarded as a sort of anthem for the New Romantics of the early eighties), this self-titled album arrived and achieved similar status. It is not hard to see why. Steve Strange's fey vocals over banks and banks of synthesisers, rhythm machines and guitars, coupled with the songwriting talents of Ultravox's Midge Ure and Magazine's Dave Formula, produced a short-lived euphoria that challenged Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet. While Visage's music was undoubtedly more atmospheric and club-based, the others were prettier. After three albums, Visage faded away. But songs like 'The Dancer', 'Visa-Age' and 'Mind of a Toy' ensure that this is possibly Visage's finest hour. For people who like synthesisers to BE synthesisers (and not disguised as other things), then Visage are highly recommended, this album especially so.

I have always liked Ultravox since 1985 and still listen to them, John Foxx and Visage on a regular basis but this debut album from Visage really stands out. In the late seventies and early-eighties, most of the bands coming out had a different sound (unlike today). The one factor with all of the music from this time was MOOD. All of the bands from this era created not only emotion but mood. When Goth, New Wave and New Romantic music were at their height, amazing albums like Visage's debut came out. They painted pictures for the listener. The song FADE TO GREY in itself sets that mood and picture. The opening song VISAGE also sets the tone for the rest of the tracks. My favorites are of course VISAGE, FADE TO GREY, MALPASO MAN, MIND OF A TOY. If you've even been just a little bit curious about visage, PLEASE buy this. Their second album, THE ANVIL, is amazing as well. Please check out Ultravox (Ultravox, Rage in Eden, Quartet) and John Foxx (Metamatic and The Garden) too!

I love this album!!!!

At the time of it's original release and being from Canada you wouldn't believe the effort and patience/special-ordering etc. I had to put into this to finally get a copy. At the time I only had a 45 of Fade to Grey/The Steps (which I played the hell out of) and had seen the video for it and Mind of a Toy, the visuals matched in quality with what I was hearing - I was hooked!

When I finally got my album and played it I recall the excitement as each great track unfolded into the next, taking me on a historic, mind-blowing journey through Europe - my dull grey world exploded into the coolest most svelt escapism.

At the time I was hoping I'd find that Malpaso Man and Visa-age would be released as singles c/w b-sides, remixes and cover art - they SO deserved it.

I dream of this being released at some point as a 2-disc set with excellent remastering, which it cries for (maybe by those involved in Yello's Gotta Say cd), complete with all the 12" versions, demo versions, a thick booklet chock full of pics (it was very visual afterall), pics of single sleeve rejects and interviews and the vocal version of Frequency 7.

Scoffers will scoff and detractors will do their thing but nevertheless this album stands as a timeless work of art - definitely no shame here.

Maybe its the passing of time or just not as complete as some of the other bands of the day. The music just does not seem the to have the continuity from one tracl to the next.