Voyeur (Berlin album)

Voyeur is the fifth studio album from the American new wave band Berlin, released in 2002 by iMUSIC.[2] It was the band's first studio album since 1986's Count Three & Pray, with singer Terri Nunn as the only original member of the new line-up.

Voyeur
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 20, 2002[1]
GenreSynth-pop, industrial rock, trip hop
Length53:44
LabeliMUSIC
ProducerMitchell Sigman (tracks 1-3, 5-7, 9-10), Peter Rafelson (tracks 4, 8, 11)
Chris Olivas (track 10)
Berlin chronology
Live: Sacred and Profane
(2000)
Voyeur
(2002)
4Play
(2005)

Background

Following the release of Count Three & Pray, the original Berlin split in 1987, but was revived by Nunn with a new line-up in 1998.[3] With the arrival of new member Mitchell Sigman in 2000,[4] Berlin began recording Voyeur in 2001. Originally, Nunn had planned to independently release an EP of new material, however the band then signed with iMUSIC who requested a full album. Speaking of the album's sound to Billboard, iMUSIC vice chairman commented: "It does not sound like an early-80s band trying to make a comeback. We heard the music and [believed] it was relevant and contemporary."[5][6]

Voyeur was released in August 2002. To promote the album, iMUSIC focused on using the internet to "re-establish links with longtime fans while cultivating a new audience". Berlin embarked on a press and radio tour in September, followed by a series of live concert dates.[5] In 2003, "With a Touch" was released as a promotional single in the US.[7] In mid-2003, Voyeur reached No. 33 on the CMJ New Music Report's RPM Chart, based on the airplay it had gained.[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Billboardfavorable[9]
Curvefavorable[10]
PopMattersfavorable[11]

Upon release, Billboard described the album as a "continuation of its 1980s synth-hewn, new-wave beginnings" and a "welcome return", adding: "The group picks up its dance roots and signature vocals throughout Voyeur, particularly on such tracks as "Blink of an Eye" and "Drug"."[9] Will Harris of PopMatters commented Voyeur "could well be the best work they've ever produced". He added: "The dance influences remain on Voyeur; in fact, the first two tracks, "Blink of an Eye" and "Shiny", are both potential floor-fillers."[11] Curve described the album as "a mutation of Nunn's "No More Words" — steady pop vocals, a deeper edge to catch up with the times, and a multitude of layers: plugged-in guitar, dance-mix sequences and thick harmonies."[10]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Blink of an Eye"Roger Gisborne, Mitchell Sigman4:15
2."Shiny"Gisborne, Sigman, Terri Nunn4:42
3."Lost My Mind"Nunn, Sigman4:15
4."The World is Waiting"Nunn, Peter Rafelson4:51
5."Drug"Nunn, Sigman, Smith, Peterson4:49
6."Sacred and Profane"Nunn, Sigman, Billy Corgan4:03
7."All I Ever Need"Nunn, Sigman3:38
8."With a Touch"Nunn, Rafelson4:35
9."To a King"Nunn, Chris Olivas, Sigman4:36
10."Stranger on the Bus"Nunn, Sigman, Rafelson4:19
11."Stronger than Steel" (includes the hidden track "Pleasure Victim (Acoustic - Live)", written by John Crawford)Nunn, Sigman, Rafelson9:41

Personnel

References

  1. "Billboard". 2002-08-24. p. 72. Retrieved 2018-03-23 via Internet Archive. berlin voyeur. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  2. "CD Album - Berlin - Voyeur - Heavensake / IMusic - USA". 45worlds.com. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  3. Added by Sharyn Hamey on July 10, 2016 at 2:20pm (2016-07-10). "Interview: TERRI NUNN (BERLIN) - You're Never Too Old to Rock'nRoll". Rockclub40.ning.com. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  4. "main". mitchellsigman.com. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  5. Billboard magazine - Artists & music - Berlin's revival completed with iMUSIC's Voyeur, first album in 16 years - Tom Demalon - August 10, 2002 - page 15
  6. "Billboard - Google Books". 2002-08-10. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  7. "Berlin - With A Touch at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  8. "CMJ New Music Report - Google Books". 2003-05-05. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  9. Billboard magazine - Reviews & previews - September 21, 2002 - page 28
  10. "Curve: The Lesbian Magazine - Google Books". 2009-07-21. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  11. "Berlin: Voyeur". PopMatters. 2002-09-04. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
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