1984

If anyone ever needed a poster child for a three star album, this would be it. The music is good; but I wouldn't go hunting it down to listen to. Concept wise, the album falls flat on its face. For the very pesimistic futuristic world Orwel sets up, the music is almost a counter to it. Its just way too happy for it. One major problem is the influence of the 80s on it. At times, it sounds as though a night club would be playing this music. Don't get me wrong, it's good music, but for the concept layed out, it's just wrong.

This is far from Wakeman's best. That being said, there are still some gems to be found on this album. The Overture is a treat to the ears, covering all the beautiful sounds of the album. Although on the CD, they should have split it out of 'Wargames', the song is just too '80s' for me. The volcals on the track and most of tracks are very well done. But again, for a 1984 concept?

The song 'Julia' is more suited to 1948, but still, it seems too hopeful for a world with no hope. Anderson from 'Yes' makes an apearince in 'The Hymn' and is the only song that I can alow to be more upbeat and hopeful, but it still dosn't quite suite it. 'The Room (Brainwash)' is typical Wakman. Very complex Keybord paying and alaborit sounds. At times it sounds similer to 'Six Wives'.

'Robot Man' is almost Disco! How can this even be posible? The beat is set in stone from the very begining with very little change through the whole song. I supose for the 1984 concept, its better suited, but its too upbeat for it. Had they slowed this song down and toned down the disco sounds, it would have been much better for everyone. I came to progressive music to get away from Disco, not to listen to it.

Sorry is another song that fits the outline of the concept. It's the only song in my mind that capturs what is supose to be protraied. Its one of the only reasons to pick up the album if you would. Its very beautiful and you just get lost in the sound. Yes, at times it gets alittle upbeat, but it brings it back down to earth by the end.

'No Name' follows 'Robot Man's exsample, although less disco sounding. I can't stand the vocals on this track. 'Forgotten Memories' again is too happy. 'The Proles'....I'm not even going to comment on. Wakeman...what part of 'bleak, dark and hopeless' world did you not pick up in the book? The last track is very good, very similer to the opining track, and at times fits the 1984 theme perficly. Unforcunetly, it, like most of it's preveius tracks, is much too happy for the album.

So, all in all, the music in the album is good. It provides a good listining and if the concept of 1984 was out of the picture, it would be a very enjoyable listen. But I can't get over the fact that it is a concept album for it. Wakeman should have put the music to a different concept, 1984 just does not go with it at all. In no way does any song, beside perhaps 'Sorry', reflect Orwel's book. Kind of ironic if you think about it. Although I cant give this album 2 stars since the music in it is good, and there are some gems to be found on it, but it desurves nothing more then three. The album is good.....but non-essential.

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