Thomas Dolby became one of the most recognizable figures of the synth-pop movement of early-'80s new wave. Dolby successfully harnessed the power of synthesizers and samplers, to make catchy pop and light electro-funk. Following the (1984) single Hyperactive, his career faded away, as he began producing more frequently, as well as exploring new synthesizer and computer technology. Dolby continued to record into the '90s, but by then, he was strictly a cult act.The Flat Earth was Dolby s sophomore album release, in 1984, its sophisticated sound was a battle cry to any doubters, combining Dolby s signature keyboards into a more organic, layered sound. Hyperactive! the result of a bizarre evening spent at Michael Jackson's house -- bore the most fruit, repeating the success of ....Science in Britain, and scoring Thomas his first Top 20 hit in his home country.The epic Dissidents felt most at home as a 12-inch revisits Dolby s love of cold war espionage, and at the other end of the spectrum, the haunting Dan Hicks ballad I Scare Myself is turned into a piano-led affair with a sexy, sultry video. The latter is a solo embodiment of the shimmering, breathy sound that would form the heart of the Prefab Sprout sound he was integral to creating - production values which he has said he ranks amongst his personal career highs.
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