Ultravox – Vienna (EMI) and Rage in Eden (EMI)

Ultravox enjoyed what’s since become known as the ‘Beautiful South effect’ in the latter stages of the eighties. In other words, some major singles, some far less major singles, and some patchy album sales all given a massive boost at both the cash till and the credibility stakes by a well put together Best Of. It’s Ultravox’s Best Of, The Collection, that’s always been the cornerstone of their back catalogue but hopefully that will change with the start of a major reissue campaign in which EMI is taking their original Chrysalis albums and adding very impressive bonus discs.

Yes, Vienna has that song but it also has the great single All Stood Still and, on Disc Two, all of the B-sides and vinyl-only bonus tracks from the era and two tracks being heard for the first time: All Stood Still and Sleepwalk both recorded at concert rehearsals.

With no Vienna, Rage in Eden was always destined to be the overlooked classic. And behind the powerful, original sleeve (reinstated after a lengthy legal dispute) is an album ripe for reconsideration. And its bonus disc has a whole stack of treats including six tracks recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon on 17 October 1981 and two previously unreleased “Work In Progress” mixes of Thin Wall and Stranger Within.