Vienna (album)

Vienna is the title of the fourth studio album by British group Ultravox. It was their first album to feature the new line-up with Midge Ure as frontman, vocalist and songwriter after the departure of founding member John Foxx to pursue a solo career in 1979. It was also the second Ultravox album to be produced with Conny Plank.

The musical style of the album, almost unique at the time, was a mixture of standard guitars and drums mixed with the use of synthesisers and electronic percussion. Classical instruments such as piano, violin and viola are also used to give an overall 'romantic' feel to many of the tracks. Vienna is also unique in adopting a fairly lengthy instrumental piece entitled Astradyne as its opening track. The title of the album was intended as a reference to the demise of Europe in the 1920s and 30s, whereas a track such as New Europeans are intended to reflect a more modern, optimistic vision. Side Tow also opens with a long and mostly instrumental track entitled Mr X featuring a spoken vocal by drummer and electronic percussionist Warren Cann.

Vienna initially achieved modest success after its release in July 1980 entering the UK album charts at no.14 and staying in the Top 40 for eight weeks. The album was preceded by the single Sleepwalk, which peaked at no.29 and follow-up Passing Strangers, taken from the album, which failed to make the Top 40 in the UK. The later release of the title track in January 1982 was more fortunate, however, and made it to no.2 in th UK, trailing with it the parent album which re-entered the charts, finally making it to no.3 in March. The title track, with its ground breaking promo video, has also become one of the group's best known songs and earned them continued commercial success during the following years. A fourth track, a remix of All Stood Still, consolidated their success, reaching the Top 10 in June 1981, while the album continued to stay in the Top 40 until the release of the follow-up Rage In Eden in September 1981.

Line-up

 * Chris Cross - bass, synthesisers, vocals
 * Midge Ure - lead vocals, guitars, synthesisers
 * Warren Cann - drums, electronic percussion, vocals
 * Billy Currie - synthesisers, piano, violin, viola

Tracklisting
original LP and MC, Chrysalis CHR 1296, 1980

Side One


 * 1) Astradyne (7:07)
 * 2) New Europeans (4:00)
 * 3) Private Lives (4:06)
 * 4) Passing Strangers (3:49)
 * 5) Sleepwalk (3:10)

Side Two


 * 1) Mr X (6:33)
 * 2) Western Promise (5:44)
 * 3) Vienna (4:52)
 * 4) All Stood Still (4:23)

all tracks written by Currie/Cross/Cann/Ure

Re-releases
initial CD releases with 9 tracks as above

2008, 2 x CD remastered definitive edition


 * CD1, 9 tracks as above
 * CD2, 'Further listening', feat. B sides etc., some previously unreleased

2014, Limited edition 12" 180gr. white vinyl release, with bonus 7" single


 * LP, original 9 tracks
 * 7", Sleepwalk b/w All Stood Still (both 'recorded Live In Rehearsals At The Lyceum, 17 Aug 1980)

2018, 2 x CD 'Definitive edition'


 * re-issue of 2008 edition

2020, 'Deluxe edition' / 40th anniversary boxset


 * 5xCD: Original analog remaster / Steven Wilson (stereo mix) / Rarities: Singles/B‐Sides/Live / Cassette recordings / Live: St Albans 1980 (all except "cassette recordings" also in digital streaming)
 * 1xDVD: 5.1 mix, Steven Wilson stereo mix, original mix, bonus tracks
 * 2xLP: LP1 original album, LP2 bonus tracks, B sides etc.

Live performances

 * BBC Radio 1 Live In Concert (1992) - recorded 14 January 1981, Paris Theatre, London. First broadcast 31 January 1981, repeated 15 August 1981. (features all tracks from the album except Private Lives and Western Promise).
 * Return To Eden (2010) - recorded live at The Roundhouse, London, released on CD and on expanded 2xCD and deluxe DVD/2xCD, features selected tracks from Vienna and successive album Rage In Eden, plus other hits. Successively released on 2xLP (2017).