Strings Attached
August Day, 2020
8/10
If you were within earshot of any radio in the mid ‘80s, you’ll remember Berlin’s smash hit, “Take My Breath Away”, which many will know as the ballad from Top Gun. Berlin enjoyed a thriving career in the ‘80s with a string of hits, but like many bands from that era, they dissolved before the decade was up.
After lead singer Terri Dunn reformed the band in the late ‘90s, Berlin has stayed quite busy with 4 albums, the most recent being last year with original members John Crawford and David Diamond. This aptly titled 9th album, also recorded with Crawford and Diamond, has Berlln re-recording select tunes from their catalog, with, well, Strings Attached.
“Take Your Turn” starts the listen on a firm note where dramatic strings lead with plenty of grace as the quick instrumental rises and falls with much precision, and “The Metro” follows with club friendly beats colliding amid the playful strings as a very fun version of this staple draws us in immediately.
The band stack some of their big hits on the first half, including the synth-pop anthem “No More Words”, which still carries the urgency of the original version, while “Take My Breath Away” finds itself equally as emotive and dreamy as it did 34 years ago with the proficient strings present.
On the back half of the listen, “Sex (I’m A…)” brings dual gender vocals to the bright pop landscape, while “Like Flames” leads with much instrumental, sublime beauty before building into a throbbing New Wave rocker with soaring vocals from Dunn. “Hideaway”, one of the album’s best, then exits the listen with Nunn’s vocal range explored alongside powerful, timeless instrumentation.
An excellent way to put a unique spin on these classic tunes, having Crawford and Diamond on board, who together with Nunn are the founding members, is a quite fitting way for Berlin to continue their legacy into 2020 while also appealing to new listeners.
Travels well with: Animotion- Raise Your Expectations; The Psychedelic Furs- Made Of Rain