OCEAN 2 - THE ANSWER

I think I had a copy of Ocean 2: The Answer even before the Tides Return Forever, but I was not feeling like hear it because of its title, a direct reference to one of their very best albums, Ocean, released in 1977. I really don´t like this kind of continuation, because they rarely live up to their precedor´s strength. But after listening to previous The Tides Return Forever I found Eloy in great form, with a more organic sound and with many references to their 70´s roots. Besides, I read some glowing reviews here on PA , so I decided to give it a shot. I´m glad I did.

Fortunatly Ocean 2´s connection with Ocean 1 leans more on the philosophical side of that work than on the musical one. In fact, instrumentally speaking, this CD sounds like a sum of much of the band was doing in the late 70´s and early 80´s Founder member Frank Bornemann and keyboardist Michael Gerlach decided to shed much of their digital and eletronic approach they worked on Ra and Destination, and called for a ´real´ rhythm section to reform the band as a quartet (former Eloy bassist Klaus-Peter Matziol who was already in the fold for The Tides... and newcomer Bodo Schopf on drums).

Of course all of these woldn´t work if they hadn´t come up with a excellent collection of songs. And if you´re an Eloy fan, you won´t be disappointed. All the tracks are strong and remarkable, with many nods to their glory days. The arrangements are tasteful (with great use of female backing vocals and choirs, one fo their trademarks around the time of Time to Turn), the playing is brilliantt (bass and drums on the upfront, one of the CD´s highlights) and the production is very good. Overall I found Ocean 2 to be very convincing, inspired and with powerful perfomances. Although the musical links to Ocean 1 are few, the feeling is as strongin 1998 and it was in 1977.

I´ve always respected Eloy for being a band that forever stuck with their guns throughtout their long career. Some CDs are better than the others, but still they remained a prog band even in the worst possible times. And this is surely one of their best latter day realeases. I´m really grateful I overcame my prejudices and bought this CD. Ocean 2: the Answer is an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Rating: 4,5 stars. Highly recommended.