Change of perspective: Pop pioneering acts (especially from the eighties) rearranged.
In 2019, Trevor Horn revisited that decade with the cover album REIMAGINES THE EIGHTIES, the sound of which he played a key role in shaping as a musician (The Buggles, Yes) and – even more so – as a producer (ABC, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, The Art Of Noise). has. For his latest reinterpretation, primarily of Eighties evergreens such as “Owner Of A Lonely Heart”, “Slave To The Rhythm” and “Drive”, the 74-year-old once again gathers around him a remarkable ensemble of prominent guest voices from Rick Astley to Seal.
While the new arrangements, sometimes with subtle strings, are pleasantly atmospheric and unobtrusive, it is the era outliers that are particularly successful. While Tori Amos’ opening interpretation of Kendrick Lamar’s “Swimming Pools (Drank)” impresses with class and understatement, the most unusual song candidate, Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, in the arrangement by Irish all-rounder Jack Lukeman, turns out to be as wonderfully over-articulated and theatrical as you would expect would actually expect to be sung by Tim Curry.
But there are also more expected things, such as the New Age, esoteric “Relax” draft by the cover version-tested couple Toyah Willcox & Robert Fripp, Iggy Pop’s casual presentation of “Personal Jesus” and Horn’s spotlight moment as an interpreter of Roxy Music’s “Avalon”. definitely their charm.