Landscape

My Visage post got me thinking about another quintessential early new romantic record. Landscape had already been around for years and had a reputation for using the latest technology - I remember a feature on Tomorrow's World (a popular science programme) with them demonstrating their equipment, including a device supposed to make a trombone sound interesting. They played instrumental jazz/funk/rock tunes. It appear that in 1980 Richard James Burgess saw and opportunity with the burgeoning new romantic scene. At least I always assumed it was him because they started appearing in futuristic clothes and he was the only one who really looked comfortable with this image. Anyway, post makeover they released Einstein A Go-Go, a record with a drum machine/synthbass rhythm that still fascinates me - play it loud and you'll see what I mean.

The song is about a nutter who threatens the world with a homemade nuclear device. To this end the phoned various world leaders to "warn" them, hence the lady at the start kindly telling them she can't put them through to President Carter and the Russian guy saying Niet! and slamming the phone down.

This record successfully disguised the fact that they lacked a lead singer but weakness couldn't help but be exposed over the following album and subsequent singles. But let’s not be negative, Einstein was a great single and it is featured here in its extended 12-inch mix. I have also included the b-side, an instrumental called Japan which itself was a single in 1979, to give an idea of their pre new romantic sound.

mp3:Landscape - Einstein A Go-Go 12-inch version (1981)

mp3:Landscape - Japan (1979)

Buy landscape here