Propaganda – 1234

If only the annoying guitar solos on a couple of tracks, in particular David Gilmour, could have been edited out. Then this album would be fit to sit next to Pet Shop Boys "Behaviour" as a synth-pop masterpiece of the year 1990.

One side of the album would be close to perfect, if sequenced like this:
How Much Love / Vicious Circle / Vicious (Reprise) / Ministry Of Fear / La Carne, La Morte E Il Diavolo

It's super easy to hate "1234" to bits in favour of the immortal "A Secret Wish". But despite shying away 180 degrees from the earlier concept, there's a whole lot more to admire on this album. The music sounds overproduced at times, yes - but "1234" is still as every bit Propaganda, once you give it a try. A pleasant listening, smooth and comforting with mere traces of darkness from their earlier output.

This album is adult contemporary synth pop with tiny hints of ASW. Like someone else previously commented, this is very reminiscent of Swing Out Sister. I agree with others, you'll be sorely disappointed with this album, if you set your expectations as high as I did. Though a few listens later, it has started to grow on me.

Oh dear ! what a car crash, what happened here with the A&R guys / record label? this is like a different band altogether the cutting edge music becomes run of the mill dross generic pop.

I actually love this album. It took some serious adjustment and time for me to let go of expectations of the previous incarnation...but once you accept it's a totally different lineup with a totally different artistic vision and sound, then it's a pretty good early 90s synthpop album. They might have benefitted from changing their name, I dunno. Regardless, many of the songs still sound good to me 30 years later...Heaven Give Me Words, How Much Love, Vicious Circle, La Carne...good stuff.

....Did they have to release this lifeless dreck under the band name "Propaganda"... couldn't they just let it be???

Don't feed these sharks with these ridiculous prices for an Argentinian edition that sounds like ass.
Good grief.

I love this album. Very well mixed and produced

1234 is the second studio album by Propaganda. Released in 1990, Michael Mertens was the only remaining member of the group from their previous album A Secret Wish, though original member Suzanne Freytag made a guest appearance on two tracks, and the album includes some songs co-written by Ralf Dörper. New group members included Derek Forbes and Brian McGee, both formerly of Simple Minds, and vocalist Betsi Miller. The album was produced by Ian Stanley and Chris Hughes, most notable for their work with Tears For Fears in the 1980s. Hughes and Miller would later marry.
The first single from the album, "Heaven Give Me Words", reached the UK Top 40 and also reached #22 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart. "Your Wildlife" reached #32 on the U.S. Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart. Both songs were co-written by Howard Jones. Another single, "Only One Word" (which featured Pink Floyd guitarist Dave Gilmour), peaked at #71 in the UK.
The album itself peaked at #46 on the UK Album Chart.

a very respectful release - it's rather different in style from their previous work, and reminds me very much of Swing Out Sister's first album - it's more towards soulful pop, rather than to their more eccentric electronics of the 80's