Album of the Week May 20/13: Visage - 'Hearts And Knives'

Our New album of the week is 'Hearts And Knives' by new romantic pioneers Visage. It is the band's first album in 29 years.

Frontman Steve Strange reformed Visage — which split in 1985 after three albums — several years ago, recruiting the band’s latter-period bassist Steve Barnacle,  former Ultravox and Magazine guitarist Robin Simon and new singer Lauren Duvall.

About the decision to revive Visage, Strange said:

“It was a question really of all the parts falling into place. Firstly, I am at a point in my life where I have been clean for 10 years and I am happy with my life and, secondly, the positive people I now surro9und myself with —not least the members of Visage — helped to create an atmosphere where the album started to happen. It took us three years and it was no easy ride, but it’s here now and we are all really pleased with it.”

Hearts and Knives is a solid album with a pure synth sound, keeping the band's classic sounds. Welcome back Mr. Strange!

'Hearts & Knives' tracklist:

01. Never Enough
02. Shameless Fashion
03. She's Electric (Coming Around)
04. Hidden Sign
05. On We Go
06. Dreamer I Know
07. Lost In Static
08. I Am Watching
09. Diaries of a Madman
10. Breathe Life

Get your copy now: http://www.visage.cc/shop.php

Listen: Visage Preview New Song "Breathe Life" - Day 10

Visage have shared the tenth and final preview of 'Heart and Knives', their first album in 29 years, which will come out next Monday (May 20). 

Day 10 - "Breathe Life"

Visage words:

"The heartfelt final track on the Visage album 'Hearts and Knives'. Minimal fretless bass and percussion and a haunting Steve Strange vocal performance. One of the most personal songs on the album for Steve Strange."

Have a listen below.



Website: http://www.visage.cc

Listen: Visage Tease Another New Song "Diaries of a Madman" - Day 9

Visage have posted another teaser of a new song  from their forthcoming album 'Hearts and Knives', out next week (May 20th). It's turn for track number 9.

Day 9 - "Diaries of a Madman"

What they said about the song:

"'Madman' was the first song to be made for the album and was written with Dave Formula who was in Visage from 1978 to 1983. The lyrics are a tongue and cheek repost to Steve’s detractors. In album full of programmed beats and precisely placed instruments this song stands alone with a punkier and live sound. Screaming guitars, at-you vocals and pounding bass guitar are the perfect foil for the sex-dwarf style stabby synth."

Listen below.

Website: http://www.visage.cc

Listen: Visage Preview New song "I Am Watching" - Day 8

Visage have now reveled a preview of  the track #8 on their long-awaited new album 'Hearts and Knives', out next week.

Day 8 - "I Am Watching"

About the song, the band say:

"In 'I am Watching' Steve adopts the persona of an obsessive stalker. Not natural territory we are assured. It is usually Steve who is the one who is being stalked. 'I do this all for you now' pleads the character as he tries to help the victim get through 'their' problem. The song hangs upon Robins slicing guitar and structure, while the bassline and beats provide the main dance-floor inspired moments on the album."

Stream I Am Watching below.

Website: http://www.visage.cc

Listen: Visage New Song Preview "On We Go" - Day 5

Visage have shared a new preview of their upcoming full length 'Hearts and Knives', out on May 20th. This time, it is the fifth track on the album.

Day 5 - "On We Go"

What they said about the song:

"Visage produced their first tracks at Martin Rushents Genetic studio and Martin had started working with the band in 2010 before his timely untimely death. The production and album track placement position of  'On We Go' is influenced by 'I Am The Law' from Human Leagues 'Dare'."

"The slow, thoughtful, synthesizer sound-scape is the calming tonic that breaks the pace of the first four songs on the album. The lyrics talk of character-changing, momentous events that shape the characters we are and who we evolve into."

Stream "On The Go" below.



Website: http://www.visage.cc

Listen: Visage Preview New Song "Hidden Sign" - Day 4

Visage have shared another sneak peek of their upcoming full length 'Hearts and Knives', out on May 20th.

Day 4 - "Hidden Sign" 

About the song the band explain:

"'Hidden Sign' is the first song on the album to highlight the masterful bass playing of Steve Barnacle. The clean amped bass line and the 80s beats and grooves propel this song along."

"Hidden Sign is more Visage album two in style when it comes to sound, but the middle 8 and the Steve spoken monologue are possibly one of the high points in the whole album. The lyrics talk about the over analysis of a love affair bringing it to the point of collapse. Does it survive? Draw your own conclusion."

Stream "Hidden Sign" below.

Listen: Visage Reveal Preview Of New Song "She's Electric (Coming Around)"

Visage have now reveled a preview of  the third track on their long-awaited new album 'Hearts and Knives', out on May 20th.

Day 3 - "She's Electric (Coming Around)"

What they said about the song:

"With keyboards, drums and tempo to match 'She’s Electric (Coming Around)' strays into Fade To Grey territory. Ethereal pads, haunting vocals and ambient textures all form to create a slightly menacing soundscape."

"The track is 100% pure analog keyboards, no computers or soft-synths in here. From the CR78 beats, the Jupiter 8 stabs and the Mick Macneill solo line. 'One', 'Two' shout the crowd… 'She is coming around'. But who is the 'She' and where is she coming from?"

Listen below.

Website: http://www.visage.cc

Listen: Visage Share Preview Of New Song "Never Enough" - Day 1

The new Visage album 'Hearts and Knives' is released on the 20th May. It's their first album in 29 years. and to celebrate the lead up of the release they are previewing one track every day for 10 days.

Day 1 - "Never Enough"

About the song, Visage say:

"29 years in the making, the opening track of album four needed to start with a bang and it does. 'Never Enough' merges thundering Moroder-esque basslines with layers of Robin Simon's effected guitars. Real drums with copious amounts of fills power the track. The highlight however is the main keyboard riff which features boldly in the intro and chorus." 

"The lyrics reflect a stormy and failing relationship and set the tone for a more personal approach to the song-writing on the album."

Listen  below.

Visage Unveil New Album 'Hearts & Knives' Full Details

New Romantic pioneers Visage have announced full details of their upcoming brand new album in almost 30 years, 'Hearts & Knives'. 

The album will be released on May 20 and is available to pre-order NOW in multiple formats on the band's online store. 

The Copies come with a free download of the album in its entirety. The album features their previously unveiled track "Shameless Fashion", which is par of our current playlist.

You can also order signed copies of the album which include a Steve Strange autograph, now, if your walls are bare you can order a 24x24 canvas of the album cover, so you can check out the Peter Ashworth photographed cover in all its glory.

The band recently revealed that the new album is dedicated to Martin Rushent, one of the top English record producers during the late '70s and early '80s, who died in June 2011.

'Hearts & Knives' tracklist:

01. Never Enough
02. Shameless Fashion
03. She's Electric (Coming Around)
04. Hidden Sign
05. On We Go
06. Dreamer I Know
07. Lost In Static
08. I Am Watching
09. Diaries of a Madman
10. Breathe Life

Visage Reveal "Shameless Fashion" Off Their First Album In 29 Years

New Romantic pioneers Visage are back with a brand new brilliant single titled "Shameless Fashion", taken from the band's upcoming fourth album "Hearts And Knives", their first release in 29 years.

The song is part of our current playlist www.koolrockradio.com and is is out now digitally, the CD format will be available on May 6.

Frontman Steve Strange reformed Visage — which split in 1985 after three albums — several years ago, recruiting the band’s latter-period bassist Steve Barnacle,  former Ultravox and Magazine guitarist Robin Simon and new singer Lauren Duvall.

In the band’s press kit, Strange says of the decision to revive Visage:

“It was a question really of all the parts falling into place. Firstly, I am at a point in my life where I have been clean for 10 years and I am happy with my life and, secondly, the positive people I now surro9und myself with —not least the members of Visage — helped to create an atmosphere where the album started to happen. It took us three years and it was no easy ride, but it’s here now and we are all really pleased with it.”

Stream "Shameless Fashion" below.

Visage new album 'Hearts and Knives' is to be released on 20 May 2013.
Website: http://www.visage.cc