If ypou don't know the band or the album, you'll probably know the massive hit from this album, The race, which was a staple on MTV at the time with its suitably wacky video.

yello are the mildly eccentric couple of Boris Blank and Dieter Meier, one of whom is an industrial millionaire and really is only doing this for the fun.

And what fun! Flag is a riotous collection of varied sound effects, impressive percussion and great vocals from different vocal chords.

The theme is of car racing, hence the Flag analogy(that start and end a race etc.) and that single, and err Tied Up, a song that is repeated at intervals throughout the album.

It is, I guess mainly a dancey or electronic album. Yello came from a more electronic background, but here are augmented by excellent vocals and a great sense of melody. If you are not singing along to the repetitive vocals, or at least humming along to the addictive melodies, there is somthing wrong with your hearing. Or possibly your humour, because somehow these non native English speakers bring a smile to your face.

Even Billy McKenzie of the Associates lends backing vocals to some of the tracks here,

Generally the pace is frenetic, as befits a record about racing car driving, but things slow down for tracks such as 'Of course I'm lying' and get somewhat arabic for 'Alahambra'.

Baas, musically, vocally, and with the odd clap of thunder are impressive. The record is percussion heavy and a delight to hear. This recoding has been and always will be an audiophile's favourite and an ideal test disc. Its got great bass, depth and stereo imaging. Its a sheer delight to listen to on a good system. If you really can't find it on vinyl the cd is pretty fine too.

Its on Warner which have a deserved reputation, then and now, for high quality recordings.

Other Yello alums worth checking out are 'One Second', 'Stella' and 'Baby'. Although allmusic do not agree. If 'Flag' deserves any criticism it is one of repetition. But this is as much a record for hearing your hi-fi as for the music. Highly recommended!