Modern Music (Be-Bop Deluxe album)

Modern Music
Studio album by
Be-Bop Deluxe
Released 3 September 1976
Recorded June – July 1976
Studio Abbey Road, London
Length 42:29
Label
Producer
Be-Bop Deluxe chronology
Sunburst Finish
(1976) 		Modern Music
(1976) 		Drastic Plastic
(1978)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Q

Modern Music is the fourth studio album by English rock band Be-Bop Deluxe. It was produced by band leader Bill Nelson and producer/engineer John Leckie. As AllMusic reviewer William Ruhlmann states in his review, "the album charted high in England and made the Top 100 in the U.S., but it was Be Bop's peak, not its breakthrough.

It was re-released in early 1991 with three bonus tracks. Q Magazine described the album as 'less impressive [with] convoluted poetical ramblings [and] indulgent twoddling'.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Bill Nelson

Side one
No. Title Length
1. "Orphans of Babylon" 3:15
2. "Twilight Capers" 4:25
3. "Kiss of Light" 3:11
4. "The Bird Charmers Destiny" 1:21
5. "The Gold at the End of My Rainbow" 3:53
6. "Bring Back the Spark" 3:41
Side two
No. Title Length
1. "Modern Music" 3:41
2. "Dancing in the Moonlight (All Alone)" 2:10
3. "Honeymoon on Mars" 1:22
4. "Lost in the Neon World" 0:47
5. "Dance of the Uncle Sam Humanoids" 2:12
6. "Modern Music (reprise)" 1:39
7. "Forbidden Lovers" 5:03
8. "Down on Terminal Street" 3:59
9. "Make the Music Magic" 1:57
  • Sides one and two were combined as tracks 1–15 on CD reissues.
43rd anniversary edition – disc one
No. Title Length
16. "Shine" 7:51
43rd anniversary edition – disc two : The New Stereo Mix
No. Title Length
1. "Orphans of Babylon" 3:15
2. "Twilight Capers" 4:25
3. "Kiss of Light" 3:11
4. "The Bird Charmers Destiny" 1:22
5. "The Gold at the End of My Rainbow" 3:52
6. "Bring Back the Spark" 3:42
7. "Modern Music" 3:41
8. "Dancing in the Moonlight (All Alone)" 2:09
9. "Honeymoon on Mars" 1:22
10. "Lost in the Neon World" 0:47
11. "Dance of the Uncle Sam Humanoids" 2:12
12. "Modern Music (reprise)" 1:39
13. "Forbidden Lovers" 5:03
14. "Down on Terminal Street" 4:00
15. "Make the Music Magic" 1:57
16. "Shine" 7:58
17. "Forbidden Lovers" (first version) 4:19
18. "The Bird Charmers Destiny" (first version) 1:51
43rd anniversary edition – disc three : Live at the Hammersmith Odeon 1976
No. Title Length
1. "Maid in Heaven" 3:07
2. "Bring Back the Spark" 3:45
3. "Kiss of Light" 3:16
4. "Adventures in Yorkshire Landscape" 9:38
5. "Fair Exchange" 4:42
6. "Ships in the Night" 3:51
7. "Twilight Capers" 4:31
8. "Medley: Modern Music / Dancing in the Moonlight (All Alone) / Honeymoon on Mars / Lost in the Neon World / Dance of the Uncle Sam Humanoids / Modern Music (reprise)" 12:45
9. "Blazing Apostles" 11:47
43rd anniversary edition – disc four : Live at the Rivera Theatre 1976
No. Title Length
1. "Fair Exchange" 4:57
2. "Stage Whispers" 3:02
3. "Life in the Air Age" 4:46
4. "Sister Seagull" 4:03
5. "Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape" 9:13
6. "Maid in Heaven" 2:25
7. "Ships in the Night" 3:36
8. "Bill's Blues" 7:21
9. "Blazing Apostles" 17:17
43rd anniversary edition – disc five : The 5:1 Surround Sound Mix (DVD)
No. Title Length
1. "Orphans of Babylon" 3:15
2. "Twilight Capers" 4:25
3. "Kiss of Light" 3:11
4. "The Bird Charmers Destiny" 1:22
5. "The Gold at the End of My Rainbow" 3:52
6. "Bring Back the Spark" 3:42
7. "Modern Music" 3:41
8. "Dancing in the Moonlight (All Alone)" 2:09
9. "Honeymoon on Mars" 1:22
10. "Lost in the Neon World" 0:47
11. "Dance of the Uncle Sam Humanoids" 2:12
12. "Modern Music (reprise)" 1:39
13. "Forbidden Lovers" 5:03
14. "Down on Terminal Street" 4:00
15. "Make the Music Magic" 1:57
16. "Shine" 7:58
17. "Forbidden Lovers" (first version) 4:19
18. "The Bird Charmers Destiny" (first version) 1:51

Personnel

Be-Bop Deluxe

Charts

Chart (1976) Position
UK Albums Charts 12