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Goose bumps. Nostalgia. Sentimentality. They all creep upon me while listening to hymns from my childhood. Alphaville have written several of those. "Stark Naked" is their very first live album, recorded during the last years' extensive touring all over the world. First up is a seven-minute version of "Sounds Like a Melody", showing the vitality of the reincarnated Alphaville. The old hits are mixed with their newer material. Mostly "Forever Young" and "Salvation" songs, wisely enough. The live version of Alphaville uses extensive guitar play and even though it feels sadly misplaced at times, it fills its function. Marian Gold seems to be having a great time, giving us an impressive vocal performance, although the chorus of "Sounds Like a Melody" doesn't exactly sound like the 1984 original. All in all, this is one of few good live albums in the pop/synthpop genre, in my humble opinion. The songs have been altered enough to sound fresh and the audience shows enthusiasm. And the sing-along "Forever Young" number is pure magic. NIKLAS FORSBERG |
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