The members of the Passions had done time in various punk and post-punk outfits, and their edgy debut album, MICHAEL & MIRANDA, reflected that influence. The 1981 follow-up, THIRTY THOUSAND FEET OVER CHINA, was a much more melodic, atmospheric outing, with a fuller production and a moody, shimmering quality. The mix of evocative new wave stylings, Barbara Gogan's hypnotic vocals, and a left-of-center lyrical outlook on songs like "I'm In Love With a German Film Star" make THIRTY THOUSAND FEET a winning proposition.