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Systems of Romance
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work
Systems of Romance was released on 8 September 1978 on Island Records. It was Ultravox's third album, the last with singer John Foxx and the first without guitarist Stevie Shears. Robin Simon took his place. Conny Plank and Dave Hutchins produced the album, and the influence of Kraftwerk, who also worked with Plank, can be heard. The group used more electronics than ever, with synthesizer bass instead of a regular bass.
The opener Slow Motion immediately revealed the new direction, with rich layers of synthesizer and a guitar with effects. In Quiet Men the regular drum kit is absent and a drum machine provides the rhythm, and Dislocation leans on processed synthesizer sounds. The album received mixed reviews, sold little and failed to chart. Even so, it is regarded as a major influence on the synth-pop of the 1980s. Midge Ure, who later succeeded Foxx, said that he thought the album was great.
Listening
Track list
- 1Slow Motion3:30Apple Music ↗
- 2Can't Stay Long4:17Apple Music ↗
- 3Someone Else's Clothes4:26Apple Music ↗
- 4Blue Light3:10Apple Music ↗
- 5Some of Them2:30Apple Music ↗
- 6Quiet Men4:09Apple Music ↗
- 7Dislocation2:56Apple Music ↗
- 8Maximum Acceleration3:54Apple Music ↗
- 9When You Walk Through Me4:16Apple Music ↗
- 10Just for a Moment3:11Apple Music ↗
30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗