Search - Thomas Dolby :: Golden Age of Wireless

Pass This Edition Up for the New Original UK LP Remaster

J. Donato | 05/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"World class synthpop diminished somewhat by the inclusion of his mega-selling hit single that was actually released over a year after the initial album came out. I would be happy never hearing "She Blinded Me With Science" ever again - and as an arch-geek who got the joke when it came out, it nevertheless paled next to his more serious music that forms the bulk of this album. Mute's Daniel Miller played synth on the incredible "Radio Silence" and Dolby's creative use of the PPG wave computer makes for some rich, thick synth textures that have a real bite! "Airwaves" is one of the best synthpop ballads and that's followed by the immaculate sequenced rhythms of "Flying North," one of my favorite Dolby tunes. If I had to pick a song that encapsulates all I love about synthpop it would be "Europa & The Pirate Twins." This song is stuffed with so many ideas and hooks it never becomes routine to listen to. All of these songs, save for the joke-funk "Science" are textbook examples of the synthpop form at its finest; songs that would sound good on a piano are given new life using the sonic laboratory that a synth like the PPG Wave permitted. For the album the way it was originally issued (for about 3 months) be sure to buy the new double disc remaster The Golden Age Of Wireless - Remastered & Expanded (Incl. Bonus DVD)"