LE PARC

Le Parc is a homage to multiple public spaces across the globe and unlike the extended experimental work that gave Tangerine Dream its identity and fanbase this is a group of more concise interpretations leading to a more relaxed and diverse album of music. A couple of the tracks do step far too close to those rather simple melodic arrangements that plagued 80s pop music and so there are a couple of jarring moments that for me at least, represent significant regret. However if you compare this work with the similar shortened creations of Froese, for example, then we do have a far more polished and expertly executed set here. Unfortunately almost all the tracks could easily be transformed into mediocre pop songs with the simple addition of a few repetitive lyrics.

There is a decent level of complexity brought to bear by the layers of sound employed but it simply isn't enough to elevate the work beyond forgettable pop or contemporary film soundtrack. Let's face it, in the 80s, TD really became a bit of a cliche as the kings of film soundtracks. The real value in this set boils down to whether or not the music captures the essence of those locations it is intended to represent and the only way to know that is if you have actually visited them. I am lucky to have experienced a couple of these places so I can see that the general arrangement of each track has been tempered in an attempt to evoke a similar ambience to reality but I can't really see it being anything more than a rather tenuous scratching of the surface. In addition to that, surely there are better subject matter to apply your considerable creative talents to than a short list of public places?

So I am not enamoured by the concept of this album and owing to the differing nature of some of these places, I am not even convinced that these tracks belong in the same place but this album is nothing if it is not inoffensive. I say that but I am a little upset by the Zen Parc interpretation; using a few oriental sounds is not enough to evoke my memories of this place especially when adding in a little symphonics and most especially when using what is obviously a non-Japanese vocalist in a kind of choral, almost ecclesiastical effect. Awful as an interpretation as far as I'm concerned. Like much of TDs later work, this is the kind of stuff that can be used to help you drift off at night or as a back drop to a quiet introspective moment on a rainy Sunday afternoon. I have listened to this a dozen times and haven't noticed any lyrics so far, so if they exist then they are completely forgettable.

The production quality really should be perfect but it isn't as it comes with a slight muffle.

Ok so if you know some of these places and you want a quick reminder of them in rapid succession then you might get something from this album. Unfortunately that probably excludes almost the entire planet especially since there is nothing new or innovative included in the album, so it is not even of significant interest to the Electronic prog community. Overall this is pleasant enough, really quite accessible but almost entirely without purpose or worth. TD are milking it by this stage, unfortunately.

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