Pure (1991)

What a wonderful album! Love the music, it's a pleasure to listen to.

Perfect

Poor music for me. I expected something between ultravox and light rock and recieved something ...... I don't know how to named it

I have to say that I agree with my fellow reviewer here, Nicholas Casley.'Pure' has its moments but no one track really stands out as an obvious single and while opener, 'I See Hope In The Morning Light' and 'Let It Go?' sound as if they have been crafted over time Midge seems to be just a little bit too in love with his creations as both songs are over-long and would have benefitted from a prudent trimming.I also found that a lack of musical light and shade detracted from my enjoyment of the set as a whole. This is probably why the last track, "Tumbling Down' left me with the distinct initial impression that it was the best song on the album. It probably isn't but Midge varies both his musical and vocal approach on the track and following a whole album of similar 'Ultravox meets Enigma with a tinge of Japan and Paul Simon thrown in' songs the fact that it is different and more organic works wonders.There is no doubt whatever that Midge is a huge talent, indeed the man has helped provide a fair bit of the 'soundtrack to my life' over the years but 'Pure' is just a bit too one dimensional for my liking.Seven out of 10.

Midge Ure's third album is full of melodious songs, well-written and well-produced. His fine lyrics are well-sung, and his heart is clearly in the right place. This album, therefore, should have put him well above the mediocre in the male singer-songwriter stakes at the start of the 1990s. But overall - and ultimately his problem here, it seems to me - there is nothing to raise his game above the tag of high competence.The opening `I See Hope in the Morning Light' has an authentic atmosphere, as does `Rising' and the six-minute `Let it Go?'. Another highlight is the song `Pure Love', arranged well with a neat solo at its heart. We thus have a succession of eleven finely-crafted songs but with nothing special amongst them that is worthy of a five-star hit.There is also a lack of contrast, which grates after the first twenty minutes. The only song that does stand out from the rest in terms of arrangement is the very last, `Tumbling Down', with its central European feel expressed in an accordion accompaniment. Perhaps placing this at the heart of the set would have provided relief. But this CD does supply a good set of songs, but alas, nothing special.

Fully enjoy this