METROMANIA

Firstly I must admit that Eloy are a band I haven't investigated too much. I bought Metromania on vinyl on its release back in 1984 on the premise of it being a prog album. It certainly wasn't what I was expecting and not being particularly impressed it has spent many years in my racks with only the occasional play.

Listening to it now I'm inclined to look on it a bit more favourably and there is a certain amount of prog on show but I would describe much of it as symphonic pop, if there is such a thing. Some heavier guitar riffs here and there add a rock element, with an emphasis on melodic tunes pushing it into AOR territory here and there.

Side 2 of the original vinyl version is far superior to side 1 and is likely to be of greater interest to progheads due to Follow The Light and Nightriders almost hitting the 10 minute mark and deviating from the eighties synth pop style evident on some of the album. Both songs, particularly Nightriders, plod along with a kind of Led Zeppelin Kashmir groove pace, though not sounding like I hasten to add, the former bringing Pink Floyd to mind in the quieter sections. The only song from side 1 that captures my interest is opener Escape To The Heights for its infectious poppy melody, though toughened up a bit with a heavier guitar riff.

The worst thing about this album though is the very dated eighties production; the synth sounds that were prevalent amongst so many synth pop bands at the time and that fat synthetic drum sound which I've never liked. Of all the production sounds over the years the eighties has been the one that has fared the worst with time. No doubt Eloy were looking for a bit of commercial success with this one.

Some decent moments then, but three good tracks out of seven doesn't make a good album so just about hovering around the 2.5 star mark I think.