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The Bee Gees, in a sense, got lucky when they managed to incorporate R+B/soul into their sound in the mid seventies as it did give their career a new lease of life making them the most successful band since the Beatles. Yet at the same time they did it incredibly well, as it, like their earlier big ballad sound was primarily a vehicle for them to express their exquisite melodic flair. Melody has always been the thread running through all their successful musical endeavours. Unfortunately with 'High Civilisation' there are hardly any melodies - just an adaptation of the techno sound which was popular at the time with artists such as Prince. 'Secret Love' was the only hit for the group and, yes, it does have melodic traits even if it's a rather slight, pale imitation of their earlier song 'Chain Reaction' which was recorded by Diana Ross.

I've found the Bee Gees quite disappointing in the later period of their career because despite incorporating modern technology into their more traditional sound (be it in ballad form or R+B/soul) the outcome has always seemed rather facile and the melodies have rarely really shone through. 'High Civilisation' with its techno sound turns out to be a rather extreme example of what i'm saying.

For me, melody is one of the key ingredients to the Bee Gees success - take that way and there's not much to write home about.

Rating: 2 out of 5

I have had this album 13 years now and it still sounds modern, edgy and very catchy. The sound is crisp, clear and the voices are as amazing as ever.The Bee Gees never give up and always come up with excellent, modern music.For people who want to different type of music from the Bee Gees, this is the ultimate. It is brilliant, even to this date. If you see it in the shops, buy it straight away. Well recommended.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Available now only as an IMPORT, this CD is one of the best examples of the Brothers Gibb at their hard-edged best. Fusing rock, funk and R&B, this album departs from the typical Gibb collection with heavy use of percussion and guitar. Co-produced with Femi Jiya (of Prince fame), the techno sound is crisp, clear and loud. The title track has heavy percussion, a rythmic beat, and is highlighted with the fusion of a 'live' audience. UK single, "Secret Love" contains a similiar beat to "Chain Reaction" and "When He's Gone" should have topped the USA charts with it's hard driving beat and inventive, tense guitar work (Alan Kendall). "Ghost Train" emits a ryhtmic locomotive beat with sound effects to delight even the most jaded. There are two power ballads, "The Only Love" (a UK single) and "Happy Ever After", an eery Andy Gibb vocal sound-alike by Barry Gibb. "For Whom The Bell Tolls", a top UK single, is one of the Gibbs greater power ballads. The remaining tracks are upbeat, positive funk. This was a departure for the Bee Gees and although America didn't take a good enough listen, the rest of the world did...and loved it!

Rating: 5 out of 5

No startling new direction surfaces here, but this album is a slab of refined, intelligent 90s pop with all the Bee Gees' trademarks: great melodies, incisive hooks, falsetto harmonising and a spot-on pop sensibility. The title track and Secret Love vibrate impressively with their staggered choruses, while When He's Gone, adorned with an off-beat synth riff, surpasses them in its radio-friendly multi-hooked appeal. The Only Love evokes flesh-creeping 60s nostalgia - it's a sad ballad resembling their classic Don't Forget To Remember. A refined and civilsed album.

Rating: 4 out of 5

I have had this cd for 10 years already - and it is still a much loved and played cd. It has some really classic songs like Secret love, When he's gone, and The Only One - this cd has a good mixture of rock, pop and ballads - pure magic!

Rating: 5 out of 5