Coming out of several Zurich-based experimental rock bands, including a very early stint with
Yello,
Kurt Maloo and
Felix Haug's
Double finally released their debut in 1986, after several years of recording and releasing 12" singles.
Blue would have been a local matter if not for the single "Captain of Her Heart," a smooth piece of jazz-pop with a strong piano riff, wailing alto saxisms, and Maloo's off-the-cuff delivery. Fans of that song expecting more of the same pseudo-sophistication may be disappointed to find the rest of the tracks on
Blue to be yet another collection of sub-
Roxy Music impressions. Pre-"Captain" single "Rangoon Moon" has a little something going for it, as an interesting footnote of a song, but most will find their hits appearance on numerous '80s anthologies to be more than enough. Too laid-back to be taken seriously.