Bananarama

I have done a new remix of More Than Physical - inspired partly by the disco sound they gave it on the OLU Tour and also with a dash of acid house for late 80s dance vibes. I used the original 12" vocal track so no SAW locs but does include the "set on you" solo refrain from Siobhan which was the basis for that dance track. Enjoy!
 
It's funny when Keren says she can't tell who is saying what during an early interview. Makes me wonder if they would have a hard time now telling who is singing what on 80s tracks.
 
Now we have had the Masquerade album 2 whole months how does everyone rate it now?

For me I’ve got to be honest I really haven’t listened to it like I did with In Stereo and even way before that Drama and Viva. However, when I do give it a spin it’s so cohesive and a great body of work… I guess the taster tracks/singles just haven’t grabbed me like previous eras!
 
I am still listening to Masquerade daily either in full or as part of mix. Two months after release I still love this album.

Along with Tears For Fears's Tipping Point and Oliver Sims' Hideous Bastards, Masquerade sits in my top 3 albums of 2022.
 
Usually when I drive, I don't have time for the full album, so my playlist goes something like this ...

Favourite
Stay Wild
Velvet Lies
Running With The Night —or— Brand New —or— Forever Young
Waiting For The Sun To Shine

I always try to get to the last track before I make it home.
 
Now we have had the Masquerade album 2 whole months how does everyone rate it now?

For me I’ve got to be honest I really haven’t listened to it like I did with In Stereo and even way before that Drama and Viva. However, when I do give it a spin it’s so cohesive and a great body of work… I guess the taster tracks/singles just haven’t grabbed me like previous eras!

I definitely enjoy "Masquerade", it is a solid album.
Is it my favourite duo album? Probably not but ranks among the better duo albums for me.
It has been a grower for me and I am enjoying it probably more on each listen whereas "In Stereo" was more of an instant connection with me on very early listens.

Rankarama:

1. WOW
2. In Stereo
3. Pop life
4. True confessions
5. Bananarama
6. Drama
7. Masquerade
8. Viva
9. Ultra Violet
10. Deep sea skiving
11. Please yourself
12. Exotica
 
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I think I like it more than In Stereo, but less than the other duo albums from the last 20 years. I'd say:

Pop Life
Bananarama
Deep Sea Skiving
Ultra Violet
Wow
Drama
Viva
Please Yourself
True Confessions
Masquerade
In Stereo
Exotica
 
If I had to try and rank all the albums:

True Confessions
Pop Life
Wow
Masquerade
Drama
Viva

Bananarama
In Stereo
Deep Sea Skiving

Ultra Violet
Please Yourself
Exotica
 
Adding my 2 pence worth

Pop Life
Wow!
Please Yourself
Drama
Ultra Violet
True Confessions
Masquerade
Viva
Bananarama
Deep Sea Skiving
In Stereo
Exotica
 
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Masquerade has its moments and i’m glad fans are enjoying it. For me it’s a collection of “fine” songs. There aren’t really highs and lows. They’re on auto pilot. Appreciating they are still around is great and all, but the music quite simply isn’t as interesting as it used to be. Forever Young is a standout for me. As is Favourite. But the album is mostly samey
 
Now we have had the Masquerade album 2 whole months how does everyone rate it now?

Good question. Definitely in the upper half of their albums, perhaps in my top 3 and easily my favourite duo album.

It doesn’t reach the heights of Pop Life or Wow, but it has some of my favourite Bananarama songs of all time: Velvet Lies, Forever Young, Masquerade, Stay Wild, Favourite - all solid bangers. It had solid replay value for me.
 
I think Masquerade is the best album Ian Masterson has produced and I think it does have variety. Quite a few of the songs remind me of other album eras, Bad Love is a bit SAW, Give Me A Little More Time is like a mid tempo track from Ultra Violet like Maybe The Next Time. Lets Go Outside sounds a little Siobhan era. The use of vocoder on some of the songs remind me of The Visitors by ABBA. Masquerade is very Drama. Brand New reminds me of Sugababes 2.0 in a good way.

True Confessions
Bananarama
Pop Life
Wow!
Masquerade
Deep Sea Skiving

Drama
In Stereo
Viva

Please Yourself

Ultra Violet
Exotica

The top 3 are interchangeable.
 
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