ROCKFACE (LIVE IN BERKELEY 1988)

The mid to late eighties period for Tangerine Dream is one that takes plenty of flak from fans that joined in the early to mid seventies. Gone is the icy, space music of the likes of Phaedra and Rubycon, which are replaced by short, concise and more straightforward tunes with an 80's pop/rock production. Times and musical tastes have changed and so did TD. Long gone is Peter Baumann and in the past couple of years Chris Franke and Baumann's replacement, Johannes Schmoelling have also exited. Edgar Froese replaces them with two talented youngsters, Paul Haslinger and Ralf Wadephul. For people who accept the fact that this is a different type of music, there is much to be enjoyed here. The albums Tyger, Live Miles, Optical Race, Destination Berlin, Canyon Dreams and Miracle Mile are all represented. There are two tracks from days gone by that have been reworked. Phaedra 88 has a drum pattern added to it which I believe give it a bit more muscle and completely changes the feel of the song. Not better but a strong piece in its own right which now fits in with the other tracks. Logos 88 also gets a make over but it is not as drastic as Phaedra. It is also very good. I saw TD on this tour and while I had read about the darkened concerts from the past, this was a very good look at a very good band who had evolved into a sleeker more modern unit. While the music is for the most part not my definition of prog, it is a very good work.

4 stars.