WHITE EAGLE

There's no doubt that the enormous, monolithic TANGERINE DREAM sound lost something when translated into the 80s. The crisp, clean production values thinned out that layer of noise that was part TD pushing the production boundaries, and part mystique. And a thinner, clearer TD is definitely not a better article.

Nevertheless, the side-long 'Mojave Plan' is an excellent composition. The first half of the track is an as-per-programme synth/noise intro, leading into a FRANKE special of pulsing beats. And while this beat doesn't morph like the best of their mid-70s stuff, it's a splendid thing all the same. The second half is a little less spectacular and far more 80s sounding, with their more recent synth additions serving only to make them less distinguishable from the growing number of synth practitioners. It has to be said: by this time TD were no longer innovators. I like this track a great deal, but I'm prepared to concede it's a rewarmed stew.

'Midnight in Tula', on the other hand, is the business. A frenetic series of blips and synth runs, it captures the energy the TANGS once had in spades. The discordant high-pitched sound that smears across the track is particularly pleasing, invoking their difficult avant-garde days. 'Convention of the 24' follows, a surprisingly busy track and one that again reminds this listener of their early 'Pink years' work. All awkward angles and improvisation with no clear destination in mind.

The title track is an excellent stab at synth-pop. A genuinely good tune is given the TD treatment. It's no wonder this was lifted to become the theme for some show or other. To be fair, bands like ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK (NOT their latter pop years, but their early experimental stuff, contemporaneous with this) were doing this stuff much better, and with meaningful lyrics.

You don't need this album. It's nice though. Just somehow less than their 70s work. Less atmospheric, less mysterious.