Progarchives.com has always (since 2002) relied on banners ads to cover web hosting fees and all. Please consider supporting us by giving monthly PayPal donations and help keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.
Joined: July 02 2008
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 14258
Posted: November 06 2012 at 02:43
Stop, you are exciting me here - I am listening to it now
So far have written the beginning of a review I will post in about a week after thrashing it
tell us what you think is it OK?
Ocean 2: The Answer” is the long awaited sequel to the masterpiece
“Ocean” that is perhaps the most famous Eloy album. So it had to be excellent,
in fact it could be nothing else in order to do the title justice, anything
else would be unforgiveable. If a band is to return to an old treasure to
continue the legacy, the followup needs to have at least the same style of
incredible musicianship and class as the predecessor. It is possible to pull
off as Queensryche did it comparably enough with the daring followup to the
brilliant “Operation Mindcrime” and Jethro Tull with their bold sequel to the
much beloved “Thick As A Brick”. None of these followups are as good as the
first but they still measured up well enough as worthy successors. I was
expecting big things from Eloy, though they had some mediocre albums leading up
to this so “Ocean 2” would be a saviour if it worked.
It begins with ‘Between Future and Past’ (2:43)
Edited by AtomicCrimsonRush - November 06 2012 at 02:44
Joined: October 12 2011
Location: Melb, Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 7951
Posted: November 06 2012 at 02:51
Yep, sounds alright!
I doesn't actually sound much like `Ocean', more like the style present from `Colours' right up to `The Tides Return Forever', encompassing all the different facets of their music in that period - Lots of melodic riffy guitars, deep spacey synths/keyboards, slow unwinding epic guitar solos, ethereal female vocals - all the great Eloy trademarks, just refined and made even more grand!
OK, so I'm pouring it on a little thick, but at the time it felt like the band was thinking `OK, this is our farewell album, lets make a fitting finale that combines all the classic Eloy elements to make a truly defining Eloy album'!
Joined: September 15 2007
Location: Vitória, Brasil
Status: Offline
Points: 7971
Posted: November 12 2012 at 19:52
AtomicCrimsonRush wrote:
Ah fellows I love Eloy but cruel to be kind, Metromania was the dud for me so far.
Heres a review of a better album!!!!!
'Eloy Live' is a magnificent live performance of one of my favourite bands that fits snugly onto one CD of almost 80 minutes. The musicians are Eloy in their prime; Klaus-Peter Matziol on bass, J'rgen Rosenthal on drums, Detlev Schmidtchen on keyboards, and the incomparable vocalist, guitarist extraordinaire Frank Bornemannn. The concert is dynamic and vibrant musically throughout and features some of their greatest triumphs beginning with the almighty epic 'Poseidon's Creation' and moving gradually to the classic 'Incarnation Of Logos' with that astonishing melody that locks in towards the mid section, both masterpieces from 'Ocean'. The vocals sound clear and unrestrained and the production is excellent on this 1978 live album.
The break gives Bornemann a chance to speak to his adoring audience in German, though for too long without a translation. This leads inexorably to 'The Sun-song' from 'Dawn' that is a popular song judging from the audience reaction. Immediately I remember the melody as it builds to the beautiful solo passage. Bornemann sounds so fresh and clear on vocals, as good as you would want in a live setting. 'The Dance In Doubt And Fear' follows also from 'Dawn', building with cymbal splashes and a heartbeat percussion that the crowd can clap to. The synths are tranquil golden swathes of beauty, along the waves of bass and guitar. Next is a longer track with 'Mutiny' at almost 10 minutes, a good choice from 'Power and the Passion'. I like the drums on this and the really powerful keyboards over the dreamy guitar phrases. After this the band launch into 'Gliding Into Light And Knowledge' that returns to 'Dawn'. This concert performance showcases how brilliant the musicians were, every track is spell binding virtuoso prog at the highest calibre.
'Inside' follows, the title track from one of their greatest masterpieces, and this is followed by the stunning beauty of 'Ocean''s 'Atlantis' Agony At June 5th - 8498, 13 p.m. Gregorian Earthtime', that clocks a mammoth 20:54. It is an incredible finale and caps off one of the most treasured concerts from Eloy. I wish it had been filmed but listening to this is still a compelling experience. All of the gems are here and this setlist is outstanding. I loved this live album and have no problems awarding it 4 shining stars.
Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 28064
Posted: November 13 2012 at 01:40
Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote:
I found `Visionary' hugely underwhelming! For many years they went out on a total high-point of their career with `Ocean 2', which was a stunning album that played to all their strengths.
But for them to come back with a bunch of mostly tired and lazy tracks that were unenergetic rehashes of endless better tracks from previous albums just didn't cut it for me. So there were one or two decent tracks, the odd cool solo, but it just sounded so rushed, under-developed and half finished. Even Frank's vocals sounded like they were recorded in one take.
I really hope we get another album from them if they're planning on making a go of this comeback supported by so much goodwill and affection for the band. But `VIsionary' is just a case of `Must Try Harder', I suppose?
I think its a bit of a grower. Ocean 2 is okay but nowhere near as good as the first one. Eloy are a pretty dependable band that have put out a lot of 3-4 star albums. A lot of what they do is 'borrowed' if we are going to be totally honest about it (but of course I like them nevertheless)
Joined: October 12 2011
Location: Melb, Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 7951
Posted: November 13 2012 at 02:35
Yep, their only album that kind of falls under the `must avoid at all costs' tag is (despite the nice cover) `Destination' - just inane plodding late 80's lifeless AOR without even a slight concept to hang the tracks on. Just a bunch of `old man' rock tracks. Then again, I haven't listened to it in MANY years, so perhaps it's not as bad as I remember? Hmmm, perhaps due for a dig out from the CD shelf and a fresh play! Wish me luck!
`Ocean 2' is unfairly compared to the first one, when it's not even in the same style! It's more along the lines of a slighly grander `Planets/Time To Turn' era, I suppose? `The Tide Returns Forever' and `Ocean 2' are much more in the grand majestic spacey prog direction, and a new album is that style would be great welcomed!
As for their borrowed ideas, I find `Silent and Might Echoes' a little disappointing for sounding SO much like Floyd's `Wish You Were Here/Crazy Diamond'. But I think after a while Bornermann's noticeable guitar style and unique accented vocals really helped give Eloy more of an identity all their own!
Joined: September 15 2007
Location: Vitória, Brasil
Status: Offline
Points: 7971
Posted: November 13 2012 at 05:02
richardh wrote:
Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote:
I found `Visionary' hugely underwhelming! For many years they went out on a total high-point of their career with `Ocean 2', which was a stunning album that played to all their strengths.
But for them to come back with a bunch of mostly tired and lazy tracks that were unenergetic rehashes of endless better tracks from previous albums just didn't cut it for me. So there were one or two decent tracks, the odd cool solo, but it just sounded so rushed, under-developed and half finished. Even Frank's vocals sounded like they were recorded in one take.
I really hope we get another album from them if they're planning on making a go of this comeback supported by so much goodwill and affection for the band. But `VIsionary' is just a case of `Must Try Harder', I suppose?
I think its a bit of a grower. Ocean 2 is okay but nowhere near as good as the first one. Eloy are a pretty dependable band that have put out a lot of 3-4 star albums. A lot of what they do is 'borrowed' if we are going to be totally honest about it (but of course I like them nevertheless)
Quite frankly, everything between Time to Turn and Tides Return Forever is pretty bad. Apart from that, I like every other album.
Joined: October 12 2011
Location: Melb, Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 7951
Posted: November 13 2012 at 05:32
CCVP, I really like the Eloy `metal years', as the used to be thought of years ago! I guess that kind of kicked off with `Colours/Planets' up until `Destination'? `Tide Returns' was a first return signs of the longer more epic pieces, I suppose?
You know, those late 70's to late 80's albums still sound so....ELOY to me! I think it's those icy thick synths all over the albums that just sound so robotic and sci-fi, classic Eloy trait!
Yes, so the arrangements were a lot more straight-forward and pop/rock based, but I think they were certainly better than the more AOR based prog bands bands of the same time - Asia, I'm looking at you! Maybe 80's Yes and Genesis, too, but I still love them! - and once you've got Bornermann's epic guitar playing and THAT voice, it's still very recognisable as Eloy!
Joined: September 15 2007
Location: Vitória, Brasil
Status: Offline
Points: 7971
Posted: November 13 2012 at 14:20
Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote:
CCVP, I really like the Eloy `metal years', as the used to be thought of years ago! I guess that kind of kicked off with `Colours/Planets' up until `Destination'? `Tide Returns' was a first return signs of the longer more epic pieces, I suppose?
You know, those late 70's to late 80's albums still sound so....ELOY to me! I think it's those icy thick synths all over the albums that just sound so robotic and sci-fi, classic Eloy trait!
Yes, so the arrangements were a lot more straight-forward and pop/rock based, but I think they were certainly better than the more AOR based prog bands bands of the same time - Asia, I'm looking at you! Maybe 80's Yes and Genesis, too, but I still love them! - and once you've got Bornermann's epic guitar playing and THAT voice, it's still very recognisable as Eloy!
Don't get me wrong, I love their latter prog phase (from Colours to Time to Turn), but from Performance to Destination I just can't like their arrangements/compositions. it isn't like I haven't tried.
Joined: October 12 2011
Location: Melb, Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 7951
Posted: November 13 2012 at 14:35
I know what you mean, CCVP! As much as I personally enjoy much of the material on the 80's albums, I seem to be in a minority there, and of course they don't even touch the quality, inventive ideas and energetic playing present on all those 70's albums!
I mean, when you look at albums like `Dawn', `Floating' and one of my personal favourites, the first side of `The Power and the Passion' (which, outside of Pink Floyd and early Queen, was THE VERY FIRST progressive rock album I ever heard - Archives member Tom Ozric gave me a cassette with `Power and the Passion' on one side and Genesis `Nursery Cryme' on the other!), I guess the 80's stuff doesn't measure up quite the same.
Joined: September 15 2007
Location: Vitória, Brasil
Status: Offline
Points: 7971
Posted: November 13 2012 at 15:04
Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote:
I know what you mean, CCVP! As much as I personally enjoy much of the material on the 80's albums, I seem to be in a minority there, and of course they don't even touch the quality, inventive ideas and energetic playing present on all those 70's albums!
I mean, when you look at albums like `Dawn', `Floating' and one of my personal favourites, the first side of `The Power and the Passion' (which, outside of Pink Floyd and early Queen, was THE VERY FIRST progressive rock album I ever heard - Archives member Tom Ozric gave me a cassette with `Power and the Passion' on one side and Genesis `Nursery Cryme' on the other!), I guess the 80's stuff doesn't measure up quite the same.
Floating and Power and Passion? I would expect like Ocean or Mighty Cries, lol (the usual favorites)! I, personally, like better Ocean, Dawn and Inside.
Joined: October 12 2011
Location: Melb, Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 7951
Posted: November 13 2012 at 15:11
Ha, `Floating' in probably in my top 10 favourite prog albums of all time! Easily my favourite Eloy album, certainly!
But ALL of their 70's stuff is top quality! The only one I have not yet warmed as much to is `Colours', which gets some serious love. I find it a little dull, but to be honest it's one of their only albums I don't think I've given enough time to yet. I still need to give it some serious plays to become more familiar with it.
It's sort of the beginning of the more `song based' direction they really went down in `Planets/Time To Turn' onwards.
Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 28064
Posted: November 14 2012 at 01:41
Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote:
Ha, `Floating' in probably in my top 10 favourite prog albums of all time! Easily my favourite Eloy album, certainly!
But ALL of their 70's stuff is top quality! The only one I have not yet warmed as much to is `Colours', which gets some serious love. I find it a little dull, but to be honest it's one of their only albums I don't think I've given enough time to yet. I still need to give it some serious plays to become more familiar with it.
It's sort of the beginning of the more `song based' direction they really went down in `Planets/Time To Turn' onwards.
Colours/Planets and Time To Turn is almost a trilogy in my book. Easily my favourite period of Eloy. The opening track on Colours is probably my favourite Eloy track and also one of the most original tracks they ever did. Its the girlie choir that does it for me
Joined: October 12 2011
Location: Melb, Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 7951
Posted: November 14 2012 at 01:48
Hah, yes, I know the exact bit you mean! Where they're singing the rip-off lyrics from (if I recall) `The Revealing Science of God' from Yes' `Topographic Oceans'?!
As I mentioned, I haven't really listened to `Colours' as much (no real excuse, to be honest) so you've encouraged me to dig it out right now, Richard!
I really like `Time To Turn'! For several years when I first started getting into prog, all I had from the band was a tape of `The Power and the Passion' and a CD of `Time To Turn', so I had no real choice but to listen to it a lot for my Eloy mix! I loved `Time To Turn' at the time, and I still think it's a fine release! I just adore the thick drifting outer-space atmospheric synths on it!
Edited by Aussie-Byrd-Brother - November 14 2012 at 01:49
Joined: September 15 2007
Location: Vitória, Brasil
Status: Offline
Points: 7971
Posted: November 14 2012 at 19:24
Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote:
Hah, yes, I know the exact bit you mean! Where they're singing the rip-off lyrics from (if I recall) `The Revealing Science of God' from Yes' `Topographic Oceans'?!
Joined: October 12 2011
Location: Melb, Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 7951
Posted: November 14 2012 at 19:52
Here we go, CCVP!
Eloy - Horizons:
Sunbeams dancing in your mind
Blue larks embracing sunlight
Lotus of petals glistening
Cool shade of wise trees listening
Dawn of light lies between silence chased amid Fusions of wonder
Revealing corridors of time pictures of redescending distance
Love colours sent within us
our endless caress for freedom.
Yes - The Reaveling Science of God:
Dawn of light lying between a silence and sold sources,
Chased amid fusions of wonder, in moments hardly seen forgotten,
Coloured in pastures of chance dancing leaves cast spells of
challenge,
Amused but real in thought, we fled from the sea whole.
Dawn of thought transfered through moments of days underseaarching
earth
Revealing corridors of time provoking memories, disjointed but with purpose,
OK, so it's only a `little' rip-off, but undeniable!
When I listened to the album again last night, I noticed how much `Horizons' sounds like several of those Alan Parsons Project instrumental tracks that were always on their first few albums!
Joined: July 02 2008
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 14258
Posted: November 30 2012 at 06:29
Okay new review and it is from the debut of the band
Eloy's debut is a promising start to one of my favourite bands. It is classic rock first and foremost rather than the prog they would cling onto so dearly in their next few albums, which are masterpieces. It is interesting to hear Eloy revved up with fuzzy guitar riffs and Sabbath like atmospheres. From the outset the guitar riffs crunch along on 'Today' with a Deep Purple style, then it moves to the glorious lengthy 'Something Yellow' driven by psychedelic heavy guitar riffing and a brilliant lead break from Frank Bornemann. He is always integral to the success for the group on vocals too, but I like the vocals also from Erich Schriever on this early Eloy incarnation. The other musicians are Helmut Draht on drums, Wolfgang Stöcker on bass, and Manfred Wieczorke on keyboards. They are all amazing on 'Something Yellow' perhaps the highlight of the album.
'Eloy' is the only time the band refer to their name's sake and this is basically Uriah Heep in sound, and the vocals are similar to Deep Purple. I love the cool riff that ploughs along nicely over a simple beat. The instrumental break is broken by fast conga percussion, a nice lead break and then it locks back to the hypno riff. They speak of a "land of freedom" here and on their next album "Inside" they would speak of a "Land of No body." The band literally transform from this more simple style 2 years later and never look back.
'Song of a paranoid soldier' continues the heavy guitar riff and solid melodic singing. It shifts time sig in this song that is about not wanting to kill anymore, and a desire to return to the green countryside; poignant feelings at the time of recording in 1971. The lead break is terrific and I like the way it captures the 70s paranoia.
'Voice of revolution' has another grooving riff that grabs me but I really like the more peaceful and relaxing vibe on 'Isle of sun' reminding me of where the band would eventually go, producing some of the most beautiful music on the planet. 'Dillus roady' closes things with a Uriah Heep riff sounding very much like 'Gypsy', which I adore so no problems.
Overall, Eloy's debut shows what the band are capable of and features some psychedelic Classic Rock sounds and very cool guitar. The ideas are solid and it is a good start to where they were headed. Of course they took on lengthy compositions with ambient keyboards and very intricate structures later. Nevertheless, a lot of bands would like to have a debut this good and it deserves it's place in birthing one of the greatest space rock bands of the 70s and beyond.
Joined: October 12 2011
Location: Melb, Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 7951
Posted: November 30 2012 at 07:32
Very fair review of the album, Scott!
I do like the album too, but I hardly ever listen to it, in some ways I kind of dismiss it and think of `Inside' as the proper debut album, in a similar way I think of `Trespass' as the first `official' Genesis album!
But I think it's kind of like the first Grobschnitt, Birth Control, and Yes etc albums, while not totally representative of where the bands would go, just damn fine rock early-prog albums with heaps of good stuff on them!
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
This page was generated in 0.195 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.
/PAlogo_v2.gif "Progarchives.com Homepage")
Eloy Discovery Zone
Topic Options
AtomicCrimsonRush wrote:
- and once you've got Bornermann's epic guitar playing and THAT voice, it's still very recognisable as Eloy!
I would expect like Ocean or Mighty Cries, lol (the usual favorites)! I, personally, like better Ocean, Dawn and Inside. 
