BBC Review
First album for 20 years from former kilt-wearing New Romantics.
Paul Lester 2009-10-22
Spandau Ballet always did benefit from being a bit late. Far from being a pioneering work, their debut single To Cut a Long Story Short was released in November 1980, long after Gary Numan, John Foxx, The Human League and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark had blazed a synth-pop trail – six months was a lifetime in those fast-moving post-punk days. To be fair, Chant No. 1 was a revolutionary white-funk record – although even there they were beaten to the punch by Heaven 17 – and their switch to lush blue-eyed soul with 1983’s True came one full year after ABC’s groundbreaking The Lexicon Of Love.
And yet each time Spandau cleaned up by offering a version of their peers’ more radical experiments, one that would prove palatable for mainstream consumption. They’ve capitalised on being tardy again with their decision to reform this year, long after all the other 80s bands have attempted their comebacks. And it’s been the most successful one to date, with sell-out shows at the prestigious 02 when even Duran Duran, far bigger in their pomp, only managed academies and indoor arenas when they returned a few years back.
Timing, then, has always been Spandau’s forte. They’ve also tended to have a keen sense of what the British public likes at any given moment, and on Once More they tap into the current national penchant for overblown adult balladry. And so, with producer Danton Supple, responsible for Coldplay’s X&Y, they decamped to Hook End studios in Oxfordshire to rework their back catalogue and give it the full X Factor treatment. There are two new songs here – the title track and Love Is All – and they are, in this context, and given the consistently bland treatment, virtually indistinguishable from their 80s hits.
To Cut… is redone, to near comical effect, as a semi-acoustic rock song, and Chant No. 1 has been reduced to supper club vamp. True isn’t so dramatically different, but it’s far less lavish than the original, and thus less compelling – Swain and Jolley’s production was a key part of its journey to glory. That production would also provide balance for Tony Hadley’s foghorn croon – now, on Gold, the voice overpowers the song. In 1982, She Loved Like Diamond was a radical gesture, a bold foray into John Barry territory; it is now a generic MOR ballad.
Still, just in time for Christmas.
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Comments
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Interesting review but your comments on Duran Duran are little misinformed on their reunion tour of 2004 (bearing in mind this was a reunion of original members not the group who never broke up) five sold out nights at wembley arena as well as other arenas around Britain and the following year a sold out gig at Birmingham city football and two nights at the aforamentioned O2 arena a little better than academies etc
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You beat me to it 'wolsey40'!!
Nice to see the old Duran/Spandau rivalry is still there, lurking in the dark. I nearly fell of my chair when reviewer Paul Lester mentioned Spandau's tour and wrote: "And it’s been the most successful one to date, with sell-out shows at the prestigious 02 when even Duran Duran, far bigger in their pomp, only managed academies and indoor arenas when they returned a few years back."
Come on! Mr Lester do the maths, your're talking cobblers! Spandau have sold out TWO nights at the 20,000 capacity 02 Arena and there are still tickets left for tonights third show (22/10/09). This is still less tickets sold than Duran's FIVE sold out nights at 12,500 capacity Wembley Arena and its also worth noting that Spandau are doing only TWO nights at the NEC in Birmingham, compared to Duran's FOUR sold out nights there. Please do your homework before making sweeping statements.
Thanks
secondalibi
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I agree with the other posts, when writing reviews facts should be researched properly first. Yes friendly rivarly still lives on and why not!
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Can't wait to buy the CD. I had a fantastic night at Sheffield Arena last Friday. They were superb. Tony Hadley's voice was better than ever.
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Can't understand the previous post's if your going to make a contribution why not make one that has relevance. I watched Spandau at the LG Arena last night and whatever the motives of the reunion the clear winner on the day was music. However how many years the group have been apart what was clear is that they had worked pretty hard to give a faultless perfermance last night turning back the years to send home quite a few happy Brummies. What ever your thoughts on the bands previous musical or has some have commented on their political direction, 20 odd years from their inception their was enough still there to teach the so called pop divas of the day a lesson or three, thanks boys
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I've just been to watch Spandau Ballet this evening at the Metro Arena in Newcastle and have had a fantastic time. I don't think Paul Lester's review does the band justice and is rather cynical in its comments about the vocal ability of the band and the catologue of songs they have to their name. Tony Hadley has an amazing voice! Whether you like his style or not you cannot possibly argue with the quality.To compare the nasal- sounding Gary Numan, Simon Le Bon and Martin Fry just doesn't wash. Also to say that Spandau were behind the times twenty years ago is a load of old tosh - Chant Number 1(which has always been one of my least favourites, I admit) would not sound out of place on a Franz Ferdinand album today. So Mr Lester, stop being so full of cynicism, and I'm sorry about your lack of knowledge about what constitutes a pure vocal tone. I also find your disregard for anything that might have actually been quite popular in its day quite cloying. Did you have your favourite toy locked in a cupboard for a very long time at some point in your formative years? Sounds like it Mr Cynicism!
Let the boys enjoy, enjoy enjoy!!
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Well done dancingsoosiewoosie, I couldn't have put it better myself; that guy really needs to get out more.
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