Alphaville's third full-length album finds them experimenting with jazzier, less danceable sounds (they even try to rock a little bit), but the results are somewhat mixed. The title track is a nice, slow and soothing piano-driven piece, and "Romeos" is perhaps the most Alphaville-like track on the disc (and why not - the chorus tune is identical to that of "Lassie Come Home" on Afternoons in Utopia). It's probably the strongest track on the album. Then Alphaville shifts gears to a slow jazz-like number - "She Fades Away" featuring some interesting falsetto work by Marian at the end - it's so-so. "Mysteries of Love" is a more straightforward pop song, but not an especially good one. Side one (back when albums had sides) ends with "Ariana", a truly embarassing rockabilly-style song (despite a catchy chorus, the silly vocals - not to mention an Ariana cheer/spell out and some "oo-ma-ma-ma's - make this a painful listen) It's the most uptempo song on the album. "Heaven or Hell" follows in the footsteps of "She Fades Away" - soft and jazzy, with brushed drums - it's nice enough, but nothing particularly special. Next up is "For A Million", a very atmospheric, moderately-paced song that is really quite good. Unfortunately, it's followed up by "The Middle of the Riddle", which is simply awful. "Patricia's Park" was described in the press kit for the album as "Neo-Orientalism", which is as good a description as any for this rather odd instrumental track. The last song is "Anyway", a wonderful, mellow and melancholy little swing/jazz-style song, which ends the album on a high note.

If you are a casual listener or just curious about Alphaville, you'd be better off picking up First Harvest, which culls the best of the tracks from this album (and in somewhat better mixes as well). Or just pick up Forever Young, their best album - and one of the best synthpop albums ever recorded.

I bought this album when it first came out, and I was a bit thrown by the change in direction from Afternoons In Utopia, but the album grew on me after a while. 15+ years later, I still regularly listen to Forever Young and Afternoons in Utopia (and their excellent 1997 album Salvation), but this disc doesn't spend much time in my cd player.

While it may have been an interesting experiment at the time, much of The Breathtaking Blue just hasn't held up very well. I give them credit for trying something different, but The Breathtaking Blue is not exactly an essential listen.

After listening to this cd for awhile, I can honestly state that I come back and back to it. It is miles above Afternoons, but not as good as Forever Young though. It has charm and grace, which are perfect for a Saturday afternoon love trist.

I am a HUGE fan of Forever Young and Afternoons In Utopia. So when I found this album used on vinyl, I just had to have it. After all, ANYTHING by Alphaville has to be golden, right? I guess I didn't realize the shock I was in for! You might say that Alphaville 'grew up' in the time between Afternoons In Utopia and this album. But as was the case with the 2001+ Honda Civic and 2001+ Mitsubishi Eclipse (which were also said to be more 'grown up' compared to earlier models), they lost everything I liked about them in the past. It's kind of like they all died and came back to life as Kenny G. Maybe some people might like this. But it is just not my sort of thing. If there is any consolation here, it is that used vinyl is cheap.

The bottom line: beware. Don't just assume that because it is Alphaville, it is going to be love at first sight (or first listen?). Because this stuff is ALOT different from their prior albums. Listen before you buy. You might like it. Or maybe, much like myself, you will be disappointed. If you just want to make the leap, try to get it cheap (like I did). Just in case.

ALthough Alphaville has a lot of good songs like Forever Young these are by far their nicest songs. Summer Rain is their best song in my opinion but She Fades Away, For a Million, Heaven or Hell and Anyway are great also and well worth checking out. These guys are incredibly good and I would recommend their other cds as well.

"Afternoons In Utopia" is Alphaville's masterpiece, but how do you follow up such a watershed CD? Well, one way of doing that is to move in a new, interesting direction. Alphaville does just that on their 3rd release, "The Breathtaking Blue".

And while this softer, more reflective album might not be as exuberant as "Forever Young" or as towering an accomplishment as "Afternoons", it still stands the test of time as an album full of intricate musicianship and great songwriting.

And if "Arianna" doesn't get your toes tapping, nothing will!