Search - Buggles :: Adventures in Modern Recording

On CD: Adventures with the Buggles 2nd album

Rae Schwarz | Seattle, WA United States | 07/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I actually own a genuine record album version of this second foray by the same gentlemen behind "Video Killed the Radio Star." This series of sessions was made in 1981, just after Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes participated with YES on their 1980 album "Drama." More exploratory than "Age of Plastic," their debut album, this group of songs is mostly driven by Trevor Horn, but musical elements clearly foreshadow Downes' coming work with ASIA and Horn's future as one of Europe's premier music producers (Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Seal). Bonus tracks include two singles, "Fade Away" and "Blue Nylon" plus a 12" remix of "I Am A Camera", known as "Into the Lens" on the YES album "Drama." My only regret is that I can't read Japanese kanji, as there appears to be a lengthy interview and history inside the CD booklet."

Scientific, so scientific...

Mithras | Cleveland, OH | 11/23/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Out with the old and in with the new, the rise of technology - the underlying theme of the Buggles. It's cleary been the case since the initial release of Adventures (just listen to restored versions of the works of Simon and Garfunkel, Bill Joel, Blue Oyster Cult, etc - how's that for technology?). Foreshadowing? Too easy. Insightful? Perhaps. Interesting? I'd say so.The album packs an interesting punch. The different version of "I am a camera" included here (also appearing as "Into the Lens" from Yes's Drama, same lead vocal) is IMHO by FAR the better version. It's slightly understated and often down like a real sense of loss flows through it, but it lashes out, too. It's certainly one of the standout tracks. Lenny ("scientific, so scientific... but you were walking on glass"), Inner City ("run... one last train for the inner city run..."), and Adventures in Modern Recording ("so carefully directed for modern mass appeal") are excellent tunes that easily could have appeared on Plastic Age, the Buggles awesome debut showcase. The other tunes are just okay.I purchased the Japanese issue with the 3 extra bonus tracks (includes a saucier version of "I am a camera," a spicy "Blue Nylon," and a bbq "Fade Away." perhaps these are wholly accurate descriptions, or perhaps I am hungry for chicken wings. more than likely it's both). This CD is NOT complete without these three tracks. They really add to the dynamics of the compilation. The Japanese issues also includes all of the lyrics in Japanese and English. Theres's other material within the booklet, and if could read Japanese, I'd comment on it."

The Buggles/Adventures in Modern Recording

Richard Horton | Beverly, New Jersey | 03/18/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although "The Age of Plastic" was a great album, Adventures is much better. The title track is very good, as is the rest of the album, but I think the best cut is "I am a Camera". Anyone else who likes this song may want to pick up the CD "Drama" by YES(ATLANTIC 16019-2) and listen to track 4, "Into the Lens" Same song,different spin. I highly recommend Adventures. Well worth the purchase price!!"