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| Cover = Visage-Beat-Boy.jpg
| Cover = Visage-Beat-Boy.jpg
| Released = 22 October 1984
| Released = 22 October 1984
| Recorded = 1982–1983, [[Trident Studios]], [[London]]
| Recorded = 1982–1983 at [[Trident Studios]], [[London]]
| Genre = [[Synthpop]], [[New wave music|new wave]]
| Genre = [[New Romanticism|New romantic]], [[synthpop]]
| Length = 40:33
| Length = 40:33
| Label = [[Polydor Records|Polydor]]
| Label = [[Polydor Records|Polydor]]
Line 16: Line 16:
| Next album = ''[[Hearts and Knives]]''<br />(2013)
| Next album = ''[[Hearts and Knives]]''<br />(2013)
}}
}}

{{Album ratings
'''''Beat Boy''''' is the third studio album by English [[New Wave music|new wave]] band [[Visage (band)|Visage]]. It was recorded at [[Trident Studios]] between 1982 and 1983 and released on [[Polydor Records]] in October 1984 (delayed by contractual problems the band were having at that time). Reaching No. 79 on the UK album chart, the album was poorly received by critics and would be the band's last studio album for almost thirty years.
| rev1 = [[Smash Hits]]

| rev1Score = {{Rating|2|10}}<ref name="smash">{{cite journal |last1= Cranna|first1= Ian|last2= |first2= |title= Album Reviews (Visage - "Beat Boy")|journal= Smash Hits|volume= 6|issue= 21|pages= p21|publisher= EMAP Metro|date=25 October 1984}}</ref>
== Background ==
| rev2 = [[Allmusic]]

| rev2Score = {{Rating|2|5}} [{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r215802|pure_url=yes}} link]
The album was recorded and released after lead singer [[Steve Strange]] decided to make Visage a live band instead of being solely a studio-based project, a decision that left him working only with drummer [[Rusty Egan]] and a trio of newer musicians.

== Release ==

''Beat Boy'' was released on 22 October 1984 on vinyl and cassette by record label [[Polydor Records|Polydor]]. The cassette version of the album featured remixes of the album's original tracks, with a total running time of over 50 minutes. This included an extra track, the instrumental "Reprise" (a [[reprise]] of the track "Questions").

Though the band's first two studio albums peaked within the Top 20 and Top 10 respectively, each earning a Silver disc in the UK, ''Beat Boy'' peaked at number 79 and spent only two weeks on the album chart. Two singles were released from the album, "Love Glove" in August 1984 (UK No. 54) and "Beat Boy", which did not chart.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/visage/ |title=Visage <nowiki>| Artist |</nowiki> Official Charts |website=[[Official Charts Company|Official Charts]] |accessdate=December 22, 2014}}</ref> The album was trashed by critics, and effectively marked the end of Visage as a recording act for the next couple of decades.

''Beat Boy'' was finally released on CD for the first time in February 2009 by [[Cherry Red Records]], and featured the same tracklist as the original vinyl album with four extra tracks (see below).

== Reception ==
{{album ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/beat-boy-mw0000811490 |title=''Beat Boy'' – Visage <nowiki>| Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |</nowiki> AllMusic |last=LeRoy |first=Dan |website=[[AllMusic]] |accessdate=December 22, 2014}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Smash Hits]]''
| rev2score = 2/10<ref name="Cranna">{{cite journal |last=Cranna |first=Ian |date=25 October 1984 |title=Album Reviews (Visage – "''Beat Boy''") |magazine=[[Smash Hits]] |volume=6 |issue=21 |page=21 |publisher=EMAP Metro}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Beat Boy''''' is the third [[studio album]] by the British [[New wave music|new wave]] band [[Visage (band)|Visage]]. It was recorded at [[Trident Studios]] between 1982 and 1983 and released on [[Polydor Records]] in October 1984 (delayed by contractual problems the band were having at that time). It reached #79 on the UK album chart<ref name=Chartstats>[http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=3390 UK Chart Stats (Visage)]</ref> and would be the band's last studio album for almost thirty years.


''Beat Boy'' has been panned by critics. In a scathing review of the album, Ian Cranna of ''[[Smash Hits]]'' characterised Strange and Egan as "two wafer-thin talents" and described the album as "a cross between all-purpose [[Euro disco|Euro-disco]] and [[Queen (band)|Queen]], with excruciatingly amateurish lyrics".<ref name="Cranna"/>
==History==
The album was recorded and released after lead singer [[Steve Strange]] decided to make Visage a live band instead of being solely a studio-based project, a decision that left him working only with drummer [[Rusty Egan]] and a trio of newer musicians. Whilst the first two Visage albums had a typical synthpop/post-punk feel, ''Beat Boy'' attempted to mix the synthetic sound with American styled [[rock music|rock]]. In a scathing review of the album, ''[[Smash Hits]]'' magazine characterised Strange and Egan as ''"two wafer-thin talents"'' and described the album as ''"a cross between all-purpose [[Euro disco|Euro-disco]] and [[Queen (band)|Queen]], with excruciatingly amateurish lyrics"''.<ref name="smash"/>


== Track listing ==
Though the band's first two studio albums peaked within the Top 20 and Top 10 respectively, each earning a Silver disc in the UK, ''Beat Boy'' peaked at number 79 and spent only two weeks on the album chart. Neither of the singles from the album reached the Top 40, and the album effectively marked the end of Visage as a recording act.


{{track listing
The cassette version of the album featured remixes of the album's original tracks, with a total running time of over 50 minutes. This included an extra track, the instrumental "Reprise" (a [[reprise]] of the track "Questions").
| headline = Side A
| all_writing = S. Barnacle, [[Rusty Egan]] and [[Steve Strange]], except as noted
| title1 = [[Beat Boy (song)|Beat Boy]]
| writer1 = Barnacle, Barnett, Egan, [[Dave Formula]], Strange
| length1 = 6:46
| title2 = Casualty
| writer2 = Barnacle, Barnett, Egan, Strange
| length2 = 5:28
| title3 = Questions
| length3 = 6:11
| title4 = Only the Good (Die Young)
| writer4 = Barnacle, Barnett, [[Billy Currie]], Egan, Formula, Strange
| length4 = 5:58
}}
{{track listing
| headline = Side B
| writing_credits = yes
| title1 = Can You Hear Me
| length1 = 6:29
| title2 = The Promise
| writer2 = Barnacle, Barnett, Egan, Strange
| length2 = 3:59
| title3 = [[Love Glove]]
| length3 = 4:45
| title4 = Yesterday's Shadow
| length4 = 6:29
}}
{{track listing
| collapsed = yes
| headline = 2009 reissue bonus tracks
| title9 = Beat Boy (Dance Mix)
| length9 = 7:19
| title10 = Love Glove (Long Version)
| length10 = 6: 38
| title11 = She's a Machine
| writer11 = Barnacle, Barnett, Egan, Strange
| length11 = 4:54
| title12 = Der Amboss
| writer12 = Currie, Egan, Formula, Strange, [[Midge Ure]]
| length12 = 5:39
}}


=== Remixed cassette version ===
Originally only released on vinyl and cassette, ''Beat Boy'' was finally released on Compact Disc for the first time in February 2009 by [[Cherry Red Records]], and featured the same tracklisting as the original vinyl album with four extra tracks (see below).

{{track listing
| headline = Side A
| title = Beat Boy
| length = 7:15
| title = Casualty (Dance Mix)
| length = 5:58
| title = Questions (Dance Mix)
| length = 7:06
| title = Only The Good (Die Young)
| length = 5:30
| title = Can You Hear Me
| length = 6: 26
| title = The Promise (Dance Mix)
| length = 4:08
| title = Love Glove
| length = 5: 40
| title = Yesterday's Shadow
| length = 6:30
| title = Reprise
| note = instrumental reprise of the intro section to the Dance Mix of "Questions"
| length = 2:35
}}


==Track listing==
== Personnel ==
All songs composed by S. Barnacle/[[Rusty Egan|Egan]]/[[Steve Strange|Strange]] unless otherwise noted.


; Visage
#"[[Beat Boy (song)|Beat Boy]]" <small>(Barnacle/Barnett/Egan/[[Dave Formula|Formula]]/Strange)</small> – 6:46
#"Casualty" <small>(Barnacle/Barnett/Egan/Strange)</small> – 5:28
#"Questions" – 6:11
#"Only the Good (Die Young)" <small>(Barnacle/Barnett/[[Billy Currie|Currie]]/Egan/Formula/Strange)</small> – 5:58
#"Can You Hear Me" – 6:29
#"The Promise" <small>(Barnacle/Barnett/Egan/Strange)</small> – 3:59
#"[[Love Glove]]" – 4:45
#"Yesterday's Shadow" – 6:29


* [[Steve Strange]] – lead vocals
=== Bonus tracks on 2009 CD re-release ===
* Andy Barnett – guitar
#<li value="9">"Beat Boy (Dance Mix)" – 7:19
* Steve Barnacle – bass
#"Love Glove (Long Version)" – 6:38
#"She's a Machine" <small>([[Gary Barnacle|G. Barnacle]]/Barnacle/Barnett/Egan/Strange)</small> – 4:54
* [[Gary Barnacle]] – saxophone
* [[Rusty Egan]] – drums, [[electronic drum]]
#"Der Amboss" <small>(Currie/Egan/Formula/Strange/[[Midge Ure|Ure]])</small> – 5:39


; Additional personnel
===Remixed cassette version===
#"Beat Boy" - 7:15
#"Casualty (Dance Mix)" - 5:58
#"Questions (Dance Mix)" - 7:06
#"Only The Good (Die Young)" - 5:30
#"Can You Hear Me" - 6:26
#"The Promise (Dance Mix)" - 4:08
#"Love Glove" - 5:40
#"Yesterday's Shadow" - 6:30
#"Reprise" - 2:35<small>†</small>


* [[Billy Currie]] – keyboards
<small>† an instrumental reprise of the intro section to the Dance Mix of "Questions".</small>
* [[Dave Formula]] – keyboards
* Marsha Raven – backing vocals
* Karen Ramsey – backing vocals
* Rose Patterson – backing vocals


== References ==
==Singles: UK chart positions==
#Love Glove – 4:00 (Aug. 1984), #54<ref name=Chartstats/>
#Beat Boy – 3:30 (Oct. 1984), did not chart


{{reflist|2}}
==Personnel==
Visage members at the time of the album's recording were:
*[[Steve Strange]] - [[Lead vocalist|lead vocals]]
*Andy Barnett - [[guitar]]
*Steve Barnacle - [[Bass guitar|bass]]
*[[Gary Barnacle]] - [[saxophone]]
*[[Rusty Egan]] - [[Drum kit|drums]], [[electronic drum]]


== External links ==
;Additional personnel
*[[Billy Currie]] - [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]]
*[[Dave Formula]] - keyboards
*Marsha Raven - [[Backing vocalist|backing vocals]]
*Karen Ramsey - backing vocals
*Rose Patterson - backing vocals


* {{Discogs master|76850}}
==References==
{{reflist}}


{{Visage}}
{{Visage}}

Revision as of 04:34, 22 December 2014

For the 2009 single by Die Antwoord, see $O$.
Untitled

Beat Boy is the third studio album by English new wave band Visage. It was recorded at Trident Studios between 1982 and 1983 and released on Polydor Records in October 1984 (delayed by contractual problems the band were having at that time). Reaching No. 79 on the UK album chart, the album was poorly received by critics and would be the band's last studio album for almost thirty years.

Background

The album was recorded and released after lead singer Steve Strange decided to make Visage a live band instead of being solely a studio-based project, a decision that left him working only with drummer Rusty Egan and a trio of newer musicians.

Release

Beat Boy was released on 22 October 1984 on vinyl and cassette by record label Polydor. The cassette version of the album featured remixes of the album's original tracks, with a total running time of over 50 minutes. This included an extra track, the instrumental "Reprise" (a reprise of the track "Questions").

Though the band's first two studio albums peaked within the Top 20 and Top 10 respectively, each earning a Silver disc in the UK, Beat Boy peaked at number 79 and spent only two weeks on the album chart. Two singles were released from the album, "Love Glove" in August 1984 (UK No. 54) and "Beat Boy", which did not chart.[1] The album was trashed by critics, and effectively marked the end of Visage as a recording act for the next couple of decades.

Beat Boy was finally released on CD for the first time in February 2009 by Cherry Red Records, and featured the same tracklist as the original vinyl album with four extra tracks (see below).

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Smash Hits2/10[3]

Beat Boy has been panned by critics. In a scathing review of the album, Ian Cranna of Smash Hits characterised Strange and Egan as "two wafer-thin talents" and described the album as "a cross between all-purpose Euro-disco and Queen, with excruciatingly amateurish lyrics".[3]

Track listing

All tracks are written by S. Barnacle, Rusty Egan and Steve Strange, except as noted

Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Beat Boy"Barnacle, Barnett, Egan, Dave Formula, Strange6:46
2."Casualty"Barnacle, Barnett, Egan, Strange5:28
3."Questions" 6:11
4."Only the Good (Die Young)"Barnacle, Barnett, Billy Currie, Egan, Formula, Strange5:58
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Can You Hear Me" 6:29
2."The Promise"Barnacle, Barnett, Egan, Strange3:59
3."Love Glove" 4:45
4."Yesterday's Shadow" 6:29
2009 reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
9."Beat Boy (Dance Mix)" 7:19
10."Love Glove (Long Version)" 6: 38
11."She's a Machine"Barnacle, Barnett, Egan, Strange4:54
12."Der Amboss"Currie, Egan, Formula, Strange, Midge Ure5:39

Remixed cassette version

Side A
No.TitleLength

Personnel

Visage
Additional personnel
  • Billy Currie – keyboards
  • Dave Formula – keyboards
  • Marsha Raven – backing vocals
  • Karen Ramsey – backing vocals
  • Rose Patterson – backing vocals

References

  1. ^ "Visage | Artist | Official Charts". Official Charts. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  2. ^ LeRoy, Dan. "Beat Boy – Visage | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  3. ^ a b Cranna, Ian (25 October 1984). "Album Reviews (Visage – "Beat Boy")". Smash Hits. 6 (21). EMAP Metro: 21.
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