Formed in their native Berlin in 1983, Alphaville was quick to find public acclaim. Their very first single. "Big in Japan," became a massive international hit shortly after its release in 1984. A #1 smash in Germany, it rapidly made it to the top ten throughout Europe, including the U.K. -- a typically difficult market for European acts to penetrate. Stateside, the single received the devotion of clubgoers and topped the dance charts.

Alphaville's first album, Forever Young, was released in late 84. It included "Big in Japan" plus "Sounds Like A Melody" and the title track, two more huge hits across Europe. Although it never entered the U.S, pop charts, Forever Young has become one of the most-played and the most-requested songs on alternative radio across the country where the band has earned a devoted following among "post modern" fans.

The Breathtaking Blue is Alphaville's third album (following 1986's Afternoons in Utopia). Produced by synthesizer pioneer / Tangerine Dream founder Klaus Shulze and Alphaville, it was recorded at the band's own Lunapark Studios in Berlin. As always, Alphaville delivers the unexpected. Following the extraordinarily melodic and bright mood of their first two albums (quite a feat considering all three band members describe themselves as non-musicians), The Breathtaking Blue finds Alphaville at once confirming their position as one of international pop's most gifted groups and forging a brand new sonic identity for themselves.

Of course, The Breathtaking Blue wouldn't be an Alphaville record if it didn't contain a handful of pop/dance smashes that will send the trio back to the top of the world's charts. "Romeos," the first single, is such as song, as is "Mysteries Of Love" But Alphaville also ventures into previously unexplored territory - the jazzy "She Fades Away" and "Heaven Or Hell"; the high-tech rockabilly of "Ariana"; the neo-orientalist instrumental, "Patricia's Park."

This time around, the group's untameable spirit of adventure and discovery doesn't just apply to their music. Alphaville has commissioned a series of ten mini-movies from ten of the world's foremost avant-garde directors. Entitled Songlines and intended for theatrical release, the film is, according to the group, "not a video." Rather, it "is about the collaboration of music and image, inspiration and expression, in essence, an experiment focusing on the creative process, its origins and its results. We invite you to take part in it."

Whether in the recording studio or on the movie set, Alphaville are clearly intent on breaking new ground and challenging their listeners. They have managed to do so while at the same time earning a massive and devoted following all over the world. The Breathtaking Blue gives every indication that they have only begun.

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