Sure, it screams mid-1980s as joyously as any John Hughes teen flick, but this debut--from perhaps the only German export to sound positively gleeful--deserves as long a nostalgic afterlife as Soft Cell's "Tainted Love," Y... more »az's "Only You" or mid-period Depeche Mode. Forget OMD's "If You Leave," "Forever Young" is the best should-be prom-theme the decade produced. While "Big in Japan" was the KROQ anthem, everything here is deliriously tuneful. Revel in the manic melodies of "The Jet-Set," delight in the guilty synth-pleasure of "Sounds Like a Melody," surrender to the international romantic intrigue of "To Germany with Love," and hope that VH-1 re-discovers them for a reunion tour. --David Daley« less
Sure, it screams mid-1980s as joyously as any John Hughes teen flick, but this debut--from perhaps the only German export to sound positively gleeful--deserves as long a nostalgic afterlife as Soft Cell's "Tainted Love," Yaz's "Only You" or mid-period Depeche Mode. Forget OMD's "If You Leave," "Forever Young" is the best should-be prom-theme the decade produced. While "Big in Japan" was the KROQ anthem, everything here is deliriously tuneful. Revel in the manic melodies of "The Jet-Set," delight in the guilty synth-pleasure of "Sounds Like a Melody," surrender to the international romantic intrigue of "To Germany with Love," and hope that VH-1 re-discovers them for a reunion tour. --David Daley
"Alphaville's first Album "Forever Young" released in 1984 is not only their best but by far superior to any album of its genre. Each track is superb from start to finish, you won't get tired listening to this classic CD. Four tracks were released as singles throughout 1984/85 including "Big In Japan", "Sounds Like A Melody", "Forever Young" and "Jet Set". This album needs a special treatment from WEA with a remastered version including 7" mixes, Extended Remixes and B-Sides. This is how this CD should be done:
Disc One:
A Victory of Love
Summer in Berlin
Big in Japan
To Germany With Love
Fallen Angel
Forever Young
In the Mood
Sounds Like a Melody
Lies
The Jet Set
Bonus Tracks
Big In Japan 7" Mix
Sounds Like A Melody 7" Mix
The Jet Set 7" Mix
B-Sides:
Seeds
The Nelson Highrise (Sector One: The Elevator)
Welcome To The Sun
Golden Feeling
Disc Two:
Big In Japan (Extended Remix)
Big In Japan (Extended Instrumental)
Sounds Like A Melody (Special Long Version)
Forever Young (Special Dance Mix)
Jet Set (Jellybean Mix)
Jet Set (Dub Mix)
Maybe with some demos as well :)
Warner should consider to re-release it with their second album "Afternoon in Utopia", just like SonyBmg did with Alan Parsons, Modern Talking, Boney M, ELO to name a few, Universal with Tears For Fears, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie etc with their Deluxe releases, EDSEL with Blancmange, Thompson Twins...
Anyway, for the time being, buy this CD and enjoy the real sound of the 80s.
"
One of the best albums...EVER!
D. Lam | 05/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Everything that was said in the previous reviews are all correct. This album is great from start to finish. If you truly want the best synth-pop from the 80's, look no further.
I rate "Forever Young" as one of my top 5 favorite albums of all time. This album sits next to Depeche Mode's "Black Celebration," if that means anything to you synth pop lovers.
Each song on this album, starting with a "Victory of Love," all the way til the end, with "The Jet Set," could be singles on their own merit.
Sadly, Alphaville never really held on to this magic, and this debut album states the best that the band has offered. Then again, some bands' careers never amount to anything close to what this album has accomplished.
If you love synth pop, just buy this album. It sounds as fresh today as it did back in 1984."
Great 80's album
Steve | Bloomington, IN, USA | 01/30/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like 80's music, this is great stuff. Blast from the past. "Forever Young" is widely recognized, but Alphaville shows a lot of depth in this album with other lesser well known, but great tracks."
Has the ability to open a closed mind
Jay Willingham | Atlanta GA | 05/01/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have loved this album (now CD) since i was about 15 years old so it goes without saying how passionate I am about it. But what is funny is how I had became really close friends with a co-worker of mine about 5 years ago and we had a big discussion on music one night, he is a product of the "Hip-Hop" revolution and was intent on standing firm in his "hoodness" UNTIL I played him this CD. we sat and "partook" and listened to the whole thing from beginning to end. He was in complete shock that there was ever music made that sounded like this. Now of course that CD has become a must listen to which he claims that even though he has absolutely no idea what they are talking about, it makes him feel like a thinker. It's the same with me, this CD has the ability to make me feel like a smarter person. AMAZING ! ! !"