Vienna (album)

Singles

Four singles were released from the album from 1980 to 1981, the most prominent one being the title track which hit No. 2 in the UK charts.

1. "Sleepwalk" (16 June 1980, No. 29 UK)
2. "Passing Strangers" (15 October 1980, No. 57 UK)
3. "Vienna" (15 January 1981, No. 2 UK)
4. "All Stood Still" (26 May 1981, No. 8 UK)

Critical reception

Reviews for Vienna were mixed, with Ure's introduction and the move towards mainstream pop dividing the critics. Sounds gave the album an enthusiastic review, and challenged the reader, "I dare you to find another band who can mix Euro systems-rock, electronics, Can's fairground style and English music with such panache". Melody Maker was generally positive but felt the album contained weak moments, saying that "the first half of side two reveals the most tedious liabilities. Electronic clichés are no worse than guitar clichés, but they're more likely to sound pompous." Overall, however, the review concluded, "Ultravox deserve success. This should do the trick." NME was indifferent, calling Vienna "an album of gaudy, sometimes magnificent, but mostly hollow edifices, housing songs that replace Foxx's elliptical imagery with clumsily verbose descriptions of similar scenery", and described that imagery as "seemingly derived from Hollywood films of the continent ... it's similarly full of glamour and lacking in true essence". The review presciently concluded, "Despite their wanton plagiarism and less clearly defined ideas, Vienna will probably be the album that makes Ultravox because, unfettered of Foxx's commitment, they're free to compromise themselves a touch to suit contemporary tastes."

Reviewing the 2000 reissue, Q called Vienna the band's "best album" and stating that "there were fine singles such as 'Sleepwalk' and 'All Stood Still' and the title track which – like a cartoon hippo – remains pompous yet loveable." However, the review of the deluxe version eight years later was less favourable towards the album, describing it as "sounding as cold and artificial as ever". Also reviewing the 2008 version, Mojo said that "[the title track]'s studied grandeur has aged far less well than the electro-rush of lead-off single 'Sleepwalk', the instrumental 'Astradyne', or the punishing riff-rock of 'New Europeans'. Ultimately, Vienna, with its winning formula of cold futurism and big rock textures, took Ultravox out of the margins and into the big-haired '80s mainstream."

AllMusic said, "There are plenty of pretentious and pompous moments at which Foxx-era purists cringe, but taken as a snooty rebellion against the guitar-heavy climate of the late '70s, they're ignorable ... Add Anton Corbijn's photography and Peter Saville's smart cover design and all the ingredients for an early-'80s classic are there. A few albums later, it would all seem like a fluke, but on Vienna, all the pieces come together."

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Warren Cann, Chris Cross, Billy Currie, and Midge Ure.

Side one

1. "Astradyne" – 7:07
2. "New Europeans" – 4:01
3. "Private Lives" – 4:06
4. "Passing Strangers" – 3:48
5. "Sleepwalk" – 3:10

Side two

1. "Mr. X" – 6:33
2. "Western Promise" – 5:18
3. "Vienna" – 4:53
4. "All Stood Still" – 4:21

Side one

1. "Sleepwalk" – 3:10
2. "Passing Strangers" – 3:48
3. "New Europeans" – 4:01
4. "Private Lives" – 4:06
5. "Astradyne" – 7:07

Side two

1. "Mr. X" – 6:33
2. "Western Promise" – 5:18
3. "Vienna" – 4:53
4. "All Stood Still" – 4:21

2000 reissue bonus tracks

1. "Waiting" (B-side of "Sleepwalk") – 3:51
2. "Passionate Reply" (B-side of "Vienna") – 4:17
3. "Herr X" (German version of "Mr. X" – B-side of "Vienna" 12") – 5:49
4. "Alles Klar" (B-side of "All Stood Still") – 4:53
5. "Vienna" (promotional video for single)

2008 Remastered Definitive Edition

Disc one is the same as the original European release/album.

Disc Two

1. "Sleepwalk" (early version) – 3:23
2. "Waiting" – 3:51
3. "Face to Face" (recorded live at St Albans, 16 Aug 1980 – B-side of "Passing Strangers") – 6:04
4. "King's Lead Hat" (Brian Eno) (recorded live at The Lyceum, 17 Aug 1980 – B-side of "Passing Strangers" 12") – 4:06
5. "Passionate Reply" – 4:17
6. "Herr X" – 5:49
7. "All Stood Still" (12" version) – 5:08
8. "Alles Klar" – 4:53
9. "Keep Talking" (cassette recording during rehearsals) – 6:23
10. "Sleepwalk" (recorded live in rehearsals at The Lyceum, 17 Aug 1980) – 3:43
11. "All Stood Still" (recorded live in rehearsals at The Lyceum, 17 Aug 1980) – 4:35

2014 remastered vinyl edition

As original album – came with a bonus 7" single of "Sleepwalk" and "All Stood Still" recorded live in rehearsals at The Lyceum, 17 Aug 1980 (the same two tracks that appear at the end of the second disc of the 2008 edition).

Personnel

Ultravox

Additional personnel