Classic Albums Reviewed And Rated Day 5

Throughout this month we are going to take a look at albums regarded as classics from the 80s and one or two from the late 70s and give you our comments, and our rating of each album.

Each day, during November, we will focus on one album.

To rate the albums we rate each track on the album as either 3 (Outstanding), 2 (Good), 1 (ok) and 0 (Hate it). Those points are totalled up and then divided by the maximum points the album could get (EG 10 tracks would equal 30 points, 10 x 3). Then times the figure by 100 and that gives you your percentage rating. This is a very good indicator of how you rate an album.

Today we turn to 1980 and the debut solo album by ex Ultravox front man John Foxx, called "Metamatic". An album that still remains cold and clinical today in a positive way. Clearly John wanted to go into a more electronic direction than the rest of Ultravox wanted too, and as such he left the band. The fact that Ultravox were dropped from their record label didn't help either. Was it a good move?, well yes, I would say. "Metamatic" is an album I listen to on a regular basis and I believe no one has released an album quite like it since.

The lead single from the album was the track "Underpass" (One of my all time favourite tracks), which reached number 31 in the UK singles chart. "Metamatic was released shortly after the single and reached number 18 in the UK album chart. A further single "No-One Driving" was released in March 1980, which reached number 32 in the UK singles chart.

The minmal approach to this album I have always found fascinating and the songs are well crafted.

Our track recommendations are the 2 singles mentioned above, as well as, "Plaza" and "He's A Liquid". If you have this album in your collection and have listened to it for a while, dig it out, as you will be surprised at how good it is.

Our overall rating for this album is 66/100

The album is available from Amazon here