METROMANIA

There are some good songs on this one, but I find it very hard to get into. It's much like the last album, Performance, because of how the 1980's production is extremely upfront. The sound is good, but it sounds so different and too poppy for me. There is an extended suite on this album, but the only really good thing about this album is the artwork, really.

"Escape to the Heights" has some really bad vocals, and some really bad everything. This is, personally, the only time that I think that really Frank sings bad. I really enjoy his charming voice, but on this on, it sounds terrible. There is a cool guitar solo in the middle of the song, and the bassline is good, but that's really about it. The drums are stiff, the keyboards are cold an uninteresting and the lyrics are not very good for an Eloy song. "Seeds of Creation" is another 1980's song, but with better music than the first track. The keyboards are still very cold and dry, though well played, they never add interest. The bassline is good, and the vocals are great on this track. The drums are still stiff and so standard sounding, it kind of annoys me to the point I want to turn off the music. The lyrics are alright for 1980's Eloy track. "All Life is One" is one of my favorites, great intro, to say the least. The keyboards actually make you interested in this one. After the intro, it turns into more or so a ballad kind of sound, with inspirational keyboards, and all the stiff and slow drumming that you can get. The bassline is fairly slow and melodic on this one. The vocals are really wierd, it's like harmonies, but in an odd tone and very high, a special effect definatly. "The Stranger" is another 1980's track, same old same old. The riff is okay on this one though, I definatly do not mind. The keyboards are really odd sounding to me though, not very enjoyable. The vocals are very good on this track, really good singing. The lyrics are kind of pointless though. "Follow the Light" is a great extended suite with a really nice intro. It's one of the few good tracks on this album, and it's worth the wait. The vocals are powerful and emotional, the keyboards are interesting and so intense on this track. I love the few minutes of intro. The rest of the song is powerful and engaging, especially the ending with it's very sweet and soft sounding synthesizer sounds, this is a beautiful track. "Nightriders" is back to the same, great riffs, but all that 1980's production and sound. The bassline stands out on this one, holding down the rhythm better than the drums at times. The keyboards are alright, not adding anything. The vocals are not great on this one, but I do like the lyrics for some reason. "Metromania" is a masterpiece, honestly, one of the best 1980's tracks ever. The keyboard intro is great, and the drums finally sound a little more natural for some reason. I really like the guitar on this one too, and the whole thing works well. Vocals and lyrics are fine.

Though there are some really bad songs on this one, there are a few tracks that standout. I can't give it anymore than a 2 stars, I love Eloy, but not their finest hour.