DIRECT

A return to form after the minimalism of Invisible Connections, Direct has one of the worst covers I've ever seen, but the music inside is good. The electronics are still prominent, but the mood is clearly more rocking.

The Motion of Stars starts the album with a techno pattern, which is almost immediately ripped by a burst of staccato sound. The music kicks up a notch and stays with that general pattern. Will of the Wind follows with its heavy beat. Metallic Rain is dynamic, and is as close to heavy metal as Vangelis ever gets. This one definitely rocks. The remainder of the album goes through a number of moods in similar patterns, except that there are a few pieces that are lighter, particularly The Oracle of Apollo and First Approach. The sci-fi theme is strong here with tacks title along the lines of Intergalactic Radio Station and Rotation's Logic. The former features a solid heavy beat, a basic melody that leads up to an extended climax, and a voice over. This piece also ends the album on an upbeat note ? it is a galactic sunrise; a new day in the cosmos dawns as the music fades out, leaving a bright absence in its wake. Glorianna (Hymn A La Femme) features an operatic soprano, synthesized of course.

It had been three years between albums, and I myself was starting to worry about his lack of output. I needed my fix, and I needed it soon. Vangelis had not been idle during this time, however. He had been developing techniques to perform as much music virtually live as he could with a minimum of overdubs. Massive amounts of programming and sequencing seems to be the method. The result was this album, Direct, as in direct performance and recording. I doubt if any amplification was used. The whole thing sounds internal. Lush orchestrations have been abandoned for the sake of this more raucous electronica. Vangelis is letting his hair down and kickin' it. An unusual mood for the old boy but when the listener is in the right mood it works really well. Not one for your late night meditations. Play this one in the bright daylight. One feature definitely dates the album ? inclusion of a couple of bonus tracks not available on the vinyl version.