The Best of Thomas Dolby: Retrospectacle

Amazon.com
Though he first arrived in the early '80s amid a wave of MTV-ready British electro-pop acts, Dolby had deep ties to the singer-songwriter tradition which gives his work a resonance that's kept his records sounding fresh. Despite his colorfully eccentric science-nerd image, Dolby quickly established himself as an artist of substance, with a bittersweet, introspective lyrical sensibility that set him apart from most of his video-friendly contemporaries. That didn't stop him from scoring his breakthrough hit with the wacky "She Blinded Me with Science," whose frenetic charm remains intact a decade and a half later. The 16-song Retrospectacle is a fine sampler of Dolby's '80s work, compiling such evocative numbers as "Europa and the Pirate Twins," "Airwaves," "One of Our Submarines," and the charmingly unhinged "Hyperactive!" --Scott Schinder

The Best of Thomas Dolby: Retrospectacle,Thomas Dolby,Capitol,New Wave,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop,Synth Pop

The Best of Thomas Dolby: Retrospectacle

Average customer rating:

Heard it in Dolby-vision
Great CD!
Who's it really for?
A Wholly Satisfying Compilation!
So original, definitely worth checking out!

The Best of Thomas Dolby: Retrospectacle
Thomas Dolby
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000002TNF
Release Date: 1995-04-04

Tracks:

Europa And The Pirate Twins
Urges
Leipzig
Windpower
Airwaves (7in Version)
She Blinded Me With Science
One Of Our Submarines
Screen Kiss
Hyperactive!
I Scare Myself
The Flat Earth
Pulp Culture
Budapest By Blimp
Cruel
Close But No Cigar
I Love You Goodbye

Amazon.com

Though he first arrived in the early '80s amid a wave of MTV-ready British electro-pop acts, Dolby had deep ties to the singer-songwriter tradition which gives his work a resonance that's kept his records sounding fresh. Despite his colorfully eccentric science-nerd image, Dolby quickly established himself as an artist of substance, with a bittersweet, introspective lyrical sensibility that set him apart from most of his video-friendly contemporaries. That didn't stop him from scoring his breakthrough hit with the wacky "She Blinded Me with Science," whose frenetic charm remains intact a decade and a half later. The 16-song Retrospectacle is a fine sampler of Dolby's '80s work, compiling such evocative numbers as "Europa and the Pirate Twins," "Airwaves," "One of Our Submarines," and the charmingly unhinged "Hyperactive!" --Scott Schinder

Customer Reviews:

Heard it in Dolby-vision.......2007-03-14

Thomas Dolby rarely gets the credit he deserves. As a session man for everyone from Lene Lovich to Foreigner, to production chops with Joni Mitchell and Prefab Sprout, even scoring movies like "Howard The Duck" and "Gothic," he is the literal Tom-of-all-Trades. But most important to his legacy is the incredible music he recorded as a solo pop-singer. "Retrospectacle" (a sly poke at his wire-rim glasses) covers the ground admirably.

While it is obvious that Dolby became best known for his quirky songs and videos ("Hyperactive" and "She Blinded Me With Science"), he had an intelligence and wit that only came through on his full length albums. The atmospheric "Airwaves" is pure synth heaven, while "Screen Kiss" (from the brilliant "The Flat Earth" album) is wide screen nirvana. If you played "Screen Kiss" or "I Love You, Goodbye" (the best song from "Astronauts and Heretics") next to "Science," you'd be hard pressed to say it was the same gentleman on the song. Dolby was really that diverse.

This does fall short of perfect for a few reasons. I would have preferred to not have single edits ("Science" and "Airwaves") and I have no real love for "Astronauts and Heretics," from which three songs are lifted. "Close But No Cigar" could have easily been bumped for "Airhead" or "Keys To Your Ferrari." On the positive side, "Urges" and "Leipzig" from the original "Golden Age Of Wireless" vinyl release show up here.

To that end, I will continue to wait for a deluxe version of "Wireless" and pray that his other three pop albums finally get a remaster. Until then, if you're in need of a quick fix of "Science," then "Retrospectacle" will give you that moment of shining brilliance plus the songs that will help you recognize that Thomas Dolby is a pioneer.

Great CD!.......2007-01-15

These are the songs I would have chosen if it had been up to me.

Who's it really for?.......2006-12-29

If you're already a fan of Thomas Dolby you probably own every song in here already, save for maybe "Urges" and "Leipzig". Then you'll still want the missing, hard-to-find songs ("Urban tribal", "Puppet theatre" and "Field work" to name a few). But if you are unfamiliar with the man and just want a sample of Dolby's greatest songs you'd probably be better off without the 2 mentioned (and, frankly, slightly weaker) songs in favor of say "Radio silence" or some of the more catchier songs from "The golden age of wireless". Personally I'm still waiting for the definitive collection, though doubting it will ever see the light of day...

A Wholly Satisfying Compilation!.......2006-06-05

As a curious 7-year old, I used to sneak to watch music videos at 10:30pm, which was way past my bedtime, and I would be subject to a whipping if I got caught. But my love for music was too strong. I would watch this video show that aired between 10:30 and 11pm for a glimpse of that royal, white-gloved and red jacketed Prince of Pop, Michael Jackson. The year was 1984. And Thriller was still the coolest album of all time.

But instead of seeing the "Thriller" video one night, I saw a scary (at the time) video featuring a wacky, older white guy singing about how hyperactive he was, at one point turning into a skeleton and singing like a chipmunk. That video traumatized my young mind, but when the credits appeared I made it a point to never forget his name: Thomas Dolby.

Now, 22 years later...I have come to love his music. Ironically, it's in 2005/2006 that Mr. Dolby seems to have made it a point to re-emerge. I'd like to help aid in that resurgence with a review I have been wanting to write for almost six months now. It's a shame that my day job keeps me so busy, and that my true love - writing about music - has to suffer. But at this late hour (3am) I can no longer put this review off. It must be written.

The album begins energetically with "Europa and The Pirate Twins," a bright, fresh-sounding early 80s synth fiesta that sounds like the theme song to some zany movie or coming of age TV show like "The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole," if anyone remembers that show. I like this one alot. The synthesized claps are great.

"Urges" follows, and I love this song too. The zaniness continues on this ode to sexuality which is in my opinion, impossible not to like if you are even remotely into New Wave. The third song, "Leipzig" has a breezy vibe to it that I really, really love. It's a great third song with great synth instruments.

The fourth song, "Windpower" has a British swagger to it that will get your head nodding. Great track. "Airwaves" is just beautiful. Think Christopher Cross with more edge. And a more affected vocal. "She Blinded Me With Science" needs no introduction except to say it captures the early 80s perfectly.

"One Of Our Submarines" has a great lift section of the song, and the rhythm section of the song reminds me of some of the synthy background music featured in that great mid-80s space opera, Robotech. Big fan. "Screen Kiss" is one of the first mature sounding songs on here that veer away from synths and feature a more evolved Dolby. It's songs like this that form the perfect backdrop for my new life on Chicago's northside. One in which the neighborhood of Lakeview and it's quaint shops put me at ease in a profound, amazingly exciting way that I had never experienced before this fall.

"Hyperactive" is the song that started it all for me. I think it needs to be remade. I think an artist like N'Sync's JC Chasez could do it well, actually. "I Scare Myself" is also more sophisticated than most people give TD credit for. It's sonically as beautiful as a carely woven wicker basket.

"Pulp Culture" doesn't really do it for me. While it's certainly consistent with Dolby's other work, I usually end up skipping it. "Budapest By Blimp" is a sprawling, epic track. But "Cruel" is simply delightful. Like a feature tickling one's back during a cozy encounter with a loved one, "Cruel" (featuring an angelic female guest vocal) is EASILY my favorite song on the album, and it is constantly on repeat.

"Close But No Cigar" is a close 2nd favorite of mine, as it oozes a certain wistfulness that screames optimism despite its sobering message. Great song. Also needs to be remade.

The album ends on a solemn and glorious note with "I Love You, Goodbye" which never fails to stir admiration for Dolby's musicality. Featuring a plethora of instruments that defy anyone's expectations of a synth practitioner, Dolby rewards the listener with a song that he seems to pour his heart, spirit and voice into.

This album got me through a very stressful time at work. Admittedly, my zeal for my ad agency job has diminished substantially because of the insane hours that are demanded of me. However, I will always remember this album helping me to stay grounded and motivated. It's amazing what music can do to help heal the psyche. Thanks for sharing this Retrospectacle, Mr. Dolby. I'm finally feeling much better that I can put into words what I've always wanted to say. Well done. And to all those reading, this album will not dissapoint. Not one bit!

Knyte, from New Jack Swing 4Ever.

So original, definitely worth checking out!.......2004-05-27

I haven't had this cd in years (I lost it in the great cd disaster of 2000) but I was looking to buy it again here today. Although some of the songs Thomas Dolby did are superwacky- Hyperactive, for example- the first ten songs on this album are so incredibly original and beautiful that it just blows my mind. Thomas Dolby has said that Michael Jackson is a fan, and I totally buy that- Screen Kiss, One of Our Submarines, Airwaves, they're so fearless and awesome, and share the electro-confidence of Jackson or Prince almost as much as the Brit pioneers he's always lumped with. He did NOT invent Dolby Stereo either. Buy this album.

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