Search - Frankie Goes To Hollywood :: Welcome to the Pleasuredome

A 1980s Classic And Must-Own

Bjorn Clasen | Rolléngergronn, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Europe | 09/24/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A graffiti written on the main entrance road to my school (the European School of Luxembourg) back in 1984 read »Welcome To The Pleasuredome«. Back then, I did not quite understand it. Later I learned to, though. For this debut album of Frankie Goes To Hollywood certainly is a Pleasuredome, in an everything but sarcastically meant way. It's a classic, one of the greatest albums (not just of the 1980s but) ever!What a courage it must have demanded to issue a concept album, a long story split into songs, as a debut. Why don't these bands ever last longer? »Welcome To The Pleasuredome« has it all: One of the most beautiful ballads ever performed, »The Power Of Love«; great covers: »Born To Run«, »San José«, »Fury«, »War«; the sexy experimental »The Ballad Of 32«... plus, of course, the outstanding hit classics »Two Tribes« and »Relax«.Furthermore, this import CD contains two interviews which were included on maxi(vinyl)singles.So... »Welcome To The Pleasuredome«!! Frankie say... no more.[A little remark for amazon.com: Your computer predicted I'd give this great album one star... based on the fact that I've given Madonna's »Music« one star!! Well, what's the comparison!??!?!]"

Thanks to my sister....

magician of sadness | Kentucky | 06/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I feel fortunate to have an older sister.Thanks to her taste in music,I was introduced to everything from Queen and Led Zeppelin to A Flock Of Seagulls and Gary Numan.Welcome To The Pleasuredome was one of those albums that twisted my young mind,shaping and forging my lasting musical tastes.There's a deep hidden prog feel to this album owing more to Rush than Yazoo and Depeche Mode.The message to this album is one of pure hedonism with no pretentions or posturing,something today's pop stars could take note of.Anyone of any age can appreciate the catchy and varied layering of guitar,keyboard and bass,though the lyrical content is decidedly geared more towards those of an older and more sophisticated audience.Some of the standout tracks are the pleasurable Snatch Of Fury,Two Tribes and the tremendously popular Relax,played in strip clubs nightly the world over.As much as I enjoyed those tracks(and believe me I did),I feel the crown of this album was Frankie's cover of Bruce Springsteen's Born To Run.Its a rare thing to outdo or match someone when covering one of their own songs,but somehow Frankie pulls off this rare feat with wild abandon and true skill showin.Groups like Frankie Goes To Hollywood always burn out before they should,but its tough to top an album like Welcome To The Pleasuredome,very tough.For fans of techno or 80's pop,there's worse things you could spend your money on than by buying a new copy of Pleasuredome.I hope you enjoy it as much as I do."

What a Pleasure

Tony James | Canadarocks | 12/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a well crafted album. From "Relax", the song used in the movie "Body Double" to Edwin Starr's "War" to Springsteen's "Born to Run" to ditties such as ("Do You Know the Way to) San Jose" to the wretching ballad "The Power of Love" this miscollection of songs goes together explicitly well. There are more famous concept albums by The Who and Pink Floyd but this album is right in the same league with its originality and metaphors. Give it a listen and you'll listen again over and over, getting more out of it every time. Its well worth your time to appreciate an album thats worth more than a passing glance. You'll be glad that you did."