Boris Blank Malia & Boris Blank Vs. Yello Syndicate

The most varied and accomplished of any synth pop debut, Yello's first album presents a few irresistible pop songs (the hit "Bostich," plus "Bimbo" and "Eternal Legs"), Boris Blank's synthesizer interpretations of several different forms of music ("Downtown Samba," "Bananas to the Beat," "Rock Stop," "Coast to Polka"), and even a three-song suite of atmospheric industrial music that functions as a miniature invisible soundtrack. The dark lyrical concerns and futurist electronics immediately lifted Yello above the rut of Kraftwerk imitators.

The fourth single from sixth album Flag by a Swiss electronic band Yello, released in 1989.
The ambitious Swiss electronic duo Yello comprised vocalist/conceptualist Dieter Meier - a millionaire industrialist, professional gambler, and member of Switzerland's national golf team - and composer/arranger Boris Blank. The two began collaborating in 1979 and debuted with the single "I.T. Splash." After a steady ascent, their star rose significantly with the inclusion of their 1985 single "Oh Yeah" in John Hughes' Ferris Bueller's Day Off. They consolidated their subsequent international success with 1988's "The Race," a Top Ten hit in seven countries. Next came a move into film, while maintaining a six-album run of Top Ten placings on the Swiss charts that stretched into the late '90s…

The second single from sixth album Flag by a Swiss electronic band Yello, released in 1988.
The ambitious Swiss electronic duo Yello comprised vocalist/conceptualist Dieter Meier - a millionaire industrialist, professional gambler, and member of Switzerland's national golf team - and composer/arranger Boris Blank. The two began collaborating in 1979 and debuted with the single "I.T. Splash." After a steady ascent, their star rose significantly with the inclusion of their 1985 single "Oh Yeah" in John Hughes' Ferris Bueller's Day Off. They consolidated their subsequent international success with 1988's "The Race," a Top Ten hit in seven countries. Next came a move into film, while maintaining a six-album run of Top Ten placings on the Swiss charts that stretched into the late '90s…

The most varied and accomplished of any synth pop debut, Yello's first album presents a few irresistible pop songs (the hit "Bostich," plus "Bimbo" and "Eternal Legs"), Boris Blank's synthesizer interpretations of several different forms of music ("Downtown Samba," "Bananas to the Beat," "Rock Stop," "Coast to Polka"), and even a three-song suite of atmospheric industrial music that functions as a miniature invisible soundtrack. The dark lyrical concerns and futurist electronics immediately lifted Yello above the rut of Kraftwerk imitators.

Yes, Stella is the album that includes Yello's biggest hit, "Oh Yeah." It's also their best single LP, an excellent production throughout by Boris Blank, from the theatric instrumentals "Stalakdrama" and "Ciel Ouvert" to the frenetic pitched percussion on "Let Me Cry." As well, Dieter Meier proves he's at his best vocally, whether it's the seamy side of life on "Desert Inn" or an exaggerated leer for "Koladi-ola." Both hit their peak on the same album, and Stella is a complete joy for fans of the vocal or production side of the group.

Another leap in musical sophistication made Yello's second album another high point in the development of synth pop. The future of Euro-disco and dance-pop are easily audible from the opening "Daily Disco" and other tracks like "Pinball Cha Cha," "The Evening's Young," and "Cuad el Habib." Though Claro Que Si is slightly more pop-oriented than the group's debut, with Boris Blank's electronics just as innovative and obtuse as before, that's hardly a step backward.

Another leap in musical sophistication made Yello's second album another high point in the development of synth pop. The future of Euro-disco and dance-pop are easily audible from the opening "Daily Disco" and other tracks like "Pinball Cha Cha," "The Evening's Young," and "Cuad el Habib." Though Claro Que Si is slightly more pop-oriented than the group's debut, with Boris Blank's electronics just as innovative and obtuse as before, that's hardly a step backward.

The ambitious Swiss electronic duo Yello comprised vocalist/conceptualist Dieter Meier - a millionaire industrialist, professional gambler, and member of Switzerland's national golf team - and composer/arranger Boris Blank. The two began collaborating in 1979 and debuted with the single "I.T. Splash." After a steady ascent, their star rose significantly with the inclusion of their 1985 single "Oh Yeah" in John Hughes' Ferris Bueller's Day Off. They consolidated their subsequent international success with 1988's "The Race," a Top Ten hit in seven countries. Next came a move into film, while maintaining a six-album run of Top Ten placings on the Swiss charts that stretched into the late '90s. Although Yello's releases became less frequent in the new century, the duo became even more successful in their homeland…

The ambitious Swiss electronic duo Yello comprised vocalist/conceptualist Dieter Meier - a millionaire industrialist, professional gambler, and member of Switzerland's national golf team - and composer/arranger Boris Blank. The two began collaborating in 1979 and debuted with the single "I.T. Splash." After a steady ascent, their star rose significantly with the inclusion of their 1985 single "Oh Yeah" in John Hughes' Ferris Bueller's Day Off. They consolidated their subsequent international success with 1988's "The Race," a Top Ten hit in seven countries. Next came a move into film, while maintaining a six-album run of Top Ten placings on the Swiss charts that stretched into the late '90s. Although Yello's releases became less frequent in the new century, the duo became even more successful in their homeland…

Yes, Stella is the album that includes Yello's biggest hit, "Oh Yeah." It's also their best single LP, an excellent production throughout by Boris Blank, from the theatric instrumentals "Stalakdrama" and "Ciel Ouvert" to the frenetic pitched percussion on "Let Me Cry." As well, Dieter Meier proves he's at his best vocally, whether it's the seamy side of life on "Desert Inn" or an exaggerated leer for "Koladi-ola." Both hit their peak on the same album, and Stella is a complete joy for fans of the vocal or production side of the group.