Released on July 9, ‘Ascension’, the latest album from A Flock Of Seagulls puts a new spin on their classics, with help from the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
Opening with the song the band was made famous for, ‘I Ran’, ‘Ascension’ sees all four original members of the band come together in the studio for the first time since 1984. Founding member Mike Score has been keeping the band’s engine running for all this time, touring with other musicians but keeping the name alive, but it’s nonetheless a treat to hear his brother Ali Score, Frank Maudsley, and Paul Reynolds.
While AFOS was known for their synth-pop tracks, the addition of the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra on ‘Ascension’ shows off the band’s talents; this was never going to be a fly-by-night operation: all their songs had strong tunes and fierce melodies, and the orchestral arrangement illustrates this only further.
Fourth track on the album, ‘Space Age Love Song’, originally released in 1982, was re-released in June with its upgraded arrangement and accompanying music video. It’s upbeat and personal, with shots alternating between the band and the orchestra, and illustrating just how much they’re enjoying performing together.
Title track, ‘Ascension’, is next, and is possibly the highlight of the record. The sole track written for the album, it serves as a marker post and is an orchestral instrumental piece.
All in all, ‘Ascension’ is more than a trip down memory lane for 50 somethings, but rather it’s a feast for the ears and a reminder to those who dismiss the 80s as merely being a time of haircuts and posturing, that the music released during this period was not only sound but also stands the test of time.
‘Ascension’ is out now on August Day.
A Flock Of Seagulls will be touring, along with Wang Chung, Naked Eyes, and Men Without Hats, on the Lost 80’s Live tour on the following dates. Tickets available here:
AUG 12 Lost 80’s Live
6:30 PM Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, Greenwood Village, CO
AUG 24 Lost 80’s Live
6:30 PM Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie Grand Prairie, TX
SEP 1 Lost 80’s Live
6:30 PM The Mountain Winery Saratoga, CA
SEP 15 Lost 80’s Live
7:30 PM Pompano Beach Amphitheater Pompano Beach, FL
SEP 29 Lost ’80s LiveÂ
8:30 PM Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA
Find A Flock Of Seagulls online on their official website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and SoundCloud.
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