SEE YOU LATER

Another oddity and another soundtrack to an obscure film. This is not among my favorite Vangelis albums but I have discovered that it has to be taken on its own to be appreciated. More of a pop album really, but still inventive with many of Vangelis' signature techniques ? usually in this case as means to embellish the songs rather than the core of the compositions. And songs they are. About half instrumental and half vocal, including one appearance by Jon Anderson on the extensive final and title track. There are two tracks that I really like, "I Can't Take it Anymore" and "Suffocation." There is also one song I find jarring, "Not a Bit ? All of It," with its satirical voice over. It's a parody of commercials and consumerism. I get the point, I agree with the point. I just don't like the song. "Multi-Track Suggestion" is a bit of a shock if one is expecting typical melodic instrumental Vangelis. Yet this track tells us we are listening to something very different. Not a bad song, but it does remind us that this album came out in the wake of the disco era (and it is not a disco song). It also foreshadows one of his later works, Direct. The remaining track, "Memories of Green," received replay on the Themes compilation and is also featured on the Blade Runner soundtrack. It is a very pretty, if melancholy, instrumental. The theme of the film, and subsequently the album is rather dark ? apparently the destruction of our planet's biosphere. The sense of ecological disaster renders this an interesting but not uplifting listening experience. Few Vangelis fans would really get into this one and I think most would put it right down there with Beauborg. I think it is a step above, though. Less interesting, but more listenable. Another one to bring out every few years.