Forever Young

Whether it's the poetic lyrics that speak of the longing for adolescent immortality or the enchanting, synth-softened pulse of the keyboards, Germany's Alphaville scored with somewhat of a teenage anthem in "Forever Young" from 1984's album of the same name. With it's innocent, star gazing charm, "Forever Young" became a last dance favorite, but failed to make a noteworthy mark on the charts. The rest of the album is a different story altogether, succumbing to rather pasty art rock triteness, with some hope arising from both "Big in Japan" and "Summer in Berlin." With the credits referring to voices, rhythms, and melodies rather than particular instruments, it's no wonder that the album sounds directionless amid all of the synthesized intricacies and electronic lilting. While a few of the tracks show a subtle hint of pop warmth, most of Forever Young dabbles in typical techno- based rhythms and hollow gadgetry. Artists like the Human League and Gary Numan implemented the same type of keyboard utilization, except they added appealing rhythms, lyrics, and pop craftiness to their music, which in turn made it work. — Mike DeGagne.