Klaus Nomi - Klaus Nomi

The First Full Length Album from the Bizarre German Singer who Moved to New York City Seeking his Fame and Fortune. David Bowie Had Caught his Nightclub Act and Offered Nomi a Job as a Backup Singer, an Opportunity which Changed his Life. Bowie's Appearance on "Saturday Night Live" (In a Skirt, No Less) with Nomi is One of the More Memorable Performances of the Era. Nomi's Own Music was Rock N Roll Fused with Opera and Everything in Between...and Thats a Lot of Spectrum! He Would Even Sing Songs in his Own Language! his Versions of Lou Christie's "Lightning Strikes" and Chubby Checker's "The Twist" Are Irresistable and his Own "Total Eclipse" Takes "Bohemian Rhapsody" to Further Heights! this Disc Will Simply Take Your Breath Away! Album Details

One of the most important albums I own

I learned of this fellow while watching his 'Lightning Strikes' video somewhere; from there I immediately picked up his two studio albums and some other material.

Another reviewer sums it up perfectly, describing the album as a mix of pop, rock, and opera, but don't forget the ambient values. In this album the Nomi style is not burdened by the desire of releasing an album; these songs had, before being recorded, been performed for a number of years for his performances and have a timeless quality very lacking in the next album. I still give this album only 4 stars for the few songs that are a little weak.

I think the fact that there are so many covers on this album adds just more range to the mysterious avant-garde style. I know I could listen to Klaus Nomi's music for years, and never really get it. On the surface it may seem like just some high-pitched weirdo shreiking it up to some pop rock of the 80's, but knowing Klaus Nomi's background and seeing him as more a performer than a singer helps to decipher a deeper appreciation.

The album appeals to me particularily with the fact that it's classical meeting modern, a true, and short-lived, artistic vision that sticks in my mind often. I would consider Klaus Nomi, and the few pieces of work he managed to create, one of the most important musicians I've ever listened to. January 6, 2009

Klaus Nomi - self-titled (BMG Japan)

Originally released in 1982,this was the super-strange-o artist's first of just two albums.He passed on in 1983.What prompted me to look this artist up,was that I saw a performance clip from him on the 'Urgh-A Music War' video. Had seen his "Total Eclipse" song on late night cable TV before, but I could never figure out who he was. Tunes here that had me thinking,WHAT the...? were "Keys Of Life", Nomi's weird remake of the Chubby Checker hit "The Twist", the previously mentioned "Total Eclipse" and the only track on this CD I actually sort of like,"Samson And Delilah". I'm giving this title a two-star rating instead of a one-star because I honestly believe there might've been a point to this record. Just haven't figured it out yet. Really bizzare 'new wave'! December 7, 2006

KLAUS NOMI

GREAT PACKAGE, LOOKS LIKE THE RECORD ALBUM. FAIR+ REMASTERING, I LITTLE OVERCOOKED, BUT THE FEEL IS THERE PLUS IT HAS BETTER DETAIL THAN THE LP. KLAUS WAS SOMEONE SPECIAL AND FROM ANOTHER PLANET. WE WEREN'T READY FOR HIM. AND LIKE MANY BRIGHT STARS, BURN UP MUCH TO QUICKLY. AFTER ALL THIS TIME ITS STILL SAD. BUT THE MUSIC IS SUCH FUN THAT YOU FORGET ALL THAT. NOMI SONG IS STILL GREAT
November 9, 2006

Unique musical vision

The album opens with Keys of Life, a lovely mix of twittering electronics and Nomi's soprano chant. His vocal range is beautifully demonstrated on Lightning Strikes where it switches to falsetto on the refrain, and on The Twist, a soulful, atmospheric number ending in squalls of manic laughter.

Nomi Song has a catchy hook, lovely synth lines and snatches of rousing choral vocals, while The Cold Song is an impressive operatic piece. Total Eclipse is an imaginative blend of rock and classical music, one of the highlights of a remarkable album.

The masterpiece of the album is the Saint Saens composition Samson and Delilah, sensitively interpreted by Nomi over the most inspired instrumentation, a listening experience that leaves you breathless before it ends in an explosion of electronic noise. This unique album is a successful marriage of rock, pop and various classical styles.
June 6, 2006

24-bit Remastered Genius!

Klaus Nomi is remembered today - if at all - as a potential pop genius struck down at the dawn of his career by Aids. This first album (and his second and final, "Simple Man") laid the template for a promisingly bizarre career of new wave pop and richly imaginative arrangements of opera and pop standards. His extremely stylised appearance and dark undertow of vague menace, along with a shrill countertenor voice, made him instantly unforgettable. "Klaus Nomi" is a great pop album able to transcend its 1981 New Wave origins through its sheer variety, and this Japan-only remaster renders Klaus's voice and the often-brilliant arrangements clearer than ever before; It's also nicely reproduced as a cardboard mini lp sleeve with an inner paper sleeve and a fold-out English/Japanese lyric poster. If you're a fan I'd recommend both this issue and the complementary "Simple Man" release (my fave of the two). And don't forget to check out the recent documentary "The Nomi Song", where you can see Klaus in action and realise what all the fuss was about (and mourn the loss). May 28, 2006

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