Peter Schilling - Albums Collection 1982-2010 [15CD]

While numerous new wave artists in the early '80s tried to imitate David Bowie, Peter Schilling went a step further. In 1983, Schilling released "Major Tom (Coming Home)," a synth pop retelling of Bowie's 1969 classic "Space Oddity." It became Schilling's first and only entry in the U.S. charts, a song that eventually stigmatized him as a one-hit wonder in America. Schilling was born in Stuttgart, Germany, on January 28, 1956. As a teen, Schilling couldn't decide on whether to be a soccer player or a singer. He chose music and his debut album, Error in the System, appeared in 1983. The single "Major Tom (Coming Home)" wasn't just popular in the U.S., it was a worldwide smash. The video was played often on MTV, as well, but Schilling was not able to equal its success. In 1989, Schilling collaborated with Enigma's Michael Crétu on the track "Different Story (World of Lust and Crime)," an admirable attempt at updating his sound and trying to return to the American charts. "Major Tom" was given a techno sheen in 1994, and the reworked song was welcomed in the clubs. A year later, Schilling formed the Space Pilots with Catyana Schilling, J. Feifel, and P. Magnet, recording Trip to Orion.

Michael Sutton, Allmusic.com

Those of you who would like to know what the US album release of "Major Tom" sounded like, before they released it in English… then here ya go! I actually prefer this version over the English "re-release", as the "flow" of the vocals seems to be better, since German was the original language all the songs were written in. One little bonus… for DJ's who would like to go back and forth between the German version and the English version of "Major Tom"… the two are EQ'd exactly the same. Enjoy.

Joseph Watt "razormaid", Amazon.com

Error in the System is the first English album by German singer Peter Schilling, and is literally the English counterpart to the German album Fehler im System.

German singer/songwriter Peter Schilling is probably best known for his new wave hit "Major Tom" from the album Error In The System which got all the way up to # 61 on the Billboard charts in 1983. This unique two-fer also includes the German version of this album, Fehler Im System.

I became a fan of Peter Schilling like most people in America-through his hit single "Major Tom (Coming Home)." My mom was complaining that she couldn't get the English version of that song on itunes, so after looking it up on youtube, I instantly became hooked to that song. I found the Different Story album very cheap on Amazon and got it. I never heard any other song by Peter and was floored about how awesome the disc was. Looking up more about the album I came across Error in the System. Much to my disappointment the album was never issued on CD. About a year went by, and I decided to look up Peter Schilling on Amazon for no real reason. Much to my suprise, Wounded Bird Records re-issued the original Error in the System album on CD with the original German version, Fehler im System. I scrounged up some cash and bought the CD right away. Just like the Different Story album, Error in the System was amazing and the re-mastering was top notch. Every song was just as good, from the familiar beats and sounds of "Major Tom" and "The Noah Plan" to new favorites such as "I Have No Desire" and "Only Dreams," this album is a must own for any fan of 80's pop music or good music in general. The German versions of some of my favorite songs was very intriguing to hear, though I usually don't listen to those. The only flaw I could think of the re-issue was the extremely bland and boring cover art. I've made better covers then this. But no matter, it's the music that matters right? I just hope Wounded Bird follows up with a Things to Come/120 Grad reissue soon.

EDIT: Well, it's been a year (ish) now. I don't think Wounded Bird or anybody will reissue Things to Come on CD. Which is a shame, because it is another great album, and if you like this CD, you would probably like Things to Come as well. Luckily most of the tracks can be had on the Different Story album. Also Warner should get off their butts and release this (along with Things to Come and The Different Story) on iTunes and other digital retailers. I had little hope for CD reissues of the later Wall of Voodoo albums, but they showed up on iTunes, which is fine enough for me. It's not like one has to spend big bucks to put out a digital album, but I digress…

Amazon Customer, Amazon.com

Two CD set containing a pair of albums from the German Synthpop star. Things To Come was originally released in 1985 and was the follow-up to his hit album Error In The System. 120 Grad was the German language equivalent of Things To Come. Wounded Bird.

This album went under the radar and was totally unnoticed when it was released in America, since after "Major Tom" in 1983 the next time I came across Peter Schilling was when he released his "greatest works" album Different Story (World Of Lust And Crime), which was where I was introduced to the bulk of the songs that came from this album. For the most part the songs are pretty good, as he departs from his usual sci-fi and sociopolitical commentary that was present in Error In The System with a few songs like "Chill Of The Night", "Where You Are I Am", and "10,000 Points". Probably disappointing, now that both the English and German albums are released together (this time on two CDs), is that the English version of "Terra Titanic" runs shorter than its original German counterpart of the same title. And while I know almost nothing about German, I have a feeling that two of Peter's songs in their original German versions were rewritten with different lyrics, like "Funfte Dimension" becoming "City Of Night (Berlin)". Still, as this and Different Story are the last pieces of work Peter Schilling did for English audiences before focusing entirely on his native German audience, it's worth picking up and listening to if you liked Error In The System and "Major Tom".

Vic George 2K6, Amazon.com

One of the better pop-rock albums to close out the 80's decade…The first track, The Different Story, opens the album with a high energy feel. Surprisingly enough, it was produced by Michael Cretu of Enigma before Enigma came into existence in 1990. The song also is highly reminiscent of something by OMD for a teenage brat pack film like 16 Candles or Pretty In Pink. It also feels out of place due to the different production style against the other tracks that were done by Schilling.
The most memorable track is Major Tom with it's almost lullabye-like chorus (4,3,2,1…). Everything else is very much in the German pop vein of the time with a bit of a New Wave edge…Much of the sound could also be a precursor to the techno stuff that would come out in the early 90's ! The central theme throughout the album is earth in it's final days and space or futuristic travels and explorations of mankind into the heavens/stars!

Armando M. Mesa, Amazon.com