2009 album from the reunited '80s New Romantic quintet. On Once More, the band revisits eleven of their biggest hits and throws in two brand new tracks: 'Once More' and 'Love Is All'. While many have said that a Spandau Ba... more »llet reunion would never happen, the band surprised everyone in early 2009 by announcing that they were, indeed, giving it another go. After a very successful UK tour, this exciting release will whet the appetites of those outside the UK who were not able to catch the band on that historic tour. 13 tracks including 'True', 'To Cut A Long Story Short', 'Lifeline', 'Only When You Leave' and many more. Universal.« less
2009 album from the reunited '80s New Romantic quintet. On Once More, the band revisits eleven of their biggest hits and throws in two brand new tracks: 'Once More' and 'Love Is All'. While many have said that a Spandau Ballet reunion would never happen, the band surprised everyone in early 2009 by announcing that they were, indeed, giving it another go. After a very successful UK tour, this exciting release will whet the appetites of those outside the UK who were not able to catch the band on that historic tour. 13 tracks including 'True', 'To Cut A Long Story Short', 'Lifeline', 'Only When You Leave' and many more. Universal.
"That Spandau Ballet have managed to reform and remain afloat was exciting enough for me but this new release was a totally unexpected treat. They breathe brand new life into songs that were classic to begin with and have elevated them smack into the present. Tony Hadley's voice has never sounded better. New arrangements of classics such as True, Chant No.1, Through the Barricades, and She Loved Like Diamond really bowled me over. I have had this CD in my car for over two weeks now and I have listened to it over and over and every day it's like a brand new CD. When I hear Tony hold that one note for a full eight bars in To Cut a Long Story Short, I realize what an astonishing instrument the voice really is and what a talent he really has for using it. As a musician, I am inspired to the highest when I hear these songs and this new release by SB really proves that the band still has the power to rock."
Waited 20 years for this!
Marie | australia | 07/04/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Oh what a cd!!! I loved SPANDUA BALLET when I was a teenager, and it was my dream come true when I heard they were releasing a new CD and touring AUSTRALIA!!!! This CD brought back so many memories and the the way they reworked their songs is out of this world for me!!!! No one can argue the classic sound of the ultimate instrument THE SAX, and of course the great talent of being able to play it!!!!! I fully recommend this to all Spadua Ballet fans and know you won't be disappointed!! xo"
Superb!!!
M. Tiedemann | Valley Stream, NY United States | 01/06/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS CD!!! THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST-HAVE FOR BIG FANS OF THE SPANDAU BALLET. THE 2 NEW SONGS ARE BEAUTIFUL AND TONY HADLEY SOUNDS BETTER THAN EVER!! FOR ANYBODY WHO LOVES THE '80s AND SPANDAU BALLET, BUY THIS CD!!!!"
Appetizer for Spandau Fans - 3.5 stars
G. YEO | Singapore | 12/25/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It's not easy being a legacy band. Your fans want you, but they only want your old hits. So what better way for Spandau Ballet to reform after 20 years than with a rejuvenated piano driven best-of album, with two new songs included.
The truth is: Spandau sounds the same. It's like they never left.
Tony Hadley's voice proves that he's a better singer now than ever before. My only complaint is that the album has too much of a dreamy, ethereal mix...everything seems to be floating and there isn't enough bass to ground the songs. The sparse and laidback feel on some songs makes it sound like we're listening in on demo cuts and not final tracks. It sometimes feels like the band is pulling their punches in favour of improvisation.
Once More takes a jazzier, bossa nova kind of feel towards the older material. It all feels slightly slower in tempo. Gary Kemp's trademark groovy rhythm guitar hooks are largely absent, as in Lifeline. Back-up vocals are also dropped from songs like True. Some parts for me at least, even lapse momentarily into muzak because they felt a little too deliberately laid back. But those are minor faults.
The biggest question is: are the new arrangements any good? Do they improve on the originals? That really depends on the listener. In my opinion, you could take out a scorecard and rate them one by one, but I won't do that here. The originals for the most part, are still brilliant pop songs that stand the test of time.
The two new songs are pretty good and give us some insight into the future, should Spandau decide to release new material. But I'm betting that the tours are going to make more money than any new album. Hopefully the tour will NOT include all new arrangements of the songs!