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MADCAP'S FLAMING DUTYTangerine DreamProgressive Electronic |
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![4 stars](static-images/4stars.gif)
Musically, TD have re-found their stride and any of the tracks here (sans vocal) would sit comfortably alongside tunes from Stratosphere or Force Majeure - Edgar Froese's lead guitar breaks are equally worthy of those albums alone (most notably on A Dream of Death). In fact it is the guitarmanship that really lifts the majority of the songs, for example the acoustic guitar overlaid with some seriously sustained electric/ebow guitar from Thorsten Quaeschning on The Blessed Damozel is just sublime. Add to this the vocals (adapted from 17th & 18th century poetry from the likes of Shelly and Blake) and Tangerine Dream have produced something really special.
![4 stars](static-images/4stars.gif)
![2 stars](static-images/2stars.gif)
It is of course not the first time that Edgar Froese has integrated vocals on a TD album, but he never did to such an extent. And after over an hour of this treat, I have to say that the mellow, uniform and inexpressive tone from Chris Hausl is quite working on my nerves.
I'm afraid that my perception of this album won't match the majority of (very few) my fellow reviewers. IMO this album is all flatness and (mainly) boredom. Some fine guitar during "A Dream Of Death". Big deal!
Out of almost fifty reviews from the band, I consider this album as one of the weakest TD work so far. Dull, pitiful and totally lacking of originality. Some deep "Talk Talk" feeling is even available; the most noticeable of these "moments" is probably "Hear The Voice". A typical and great "press next" track. Just as the painful "Lake Of Pontchartrain". One of the worst for sure. But is "Mad Song" any better??? I doubt.
It really hurts me when I have to review a TD album which doesn't fulfil its role. Without any spirit nor flavour: so is "Madcap's Flaming Duty". Fortunately, it didn't happen so often. This sounds as no TD at all. I can only recommend to avoid such an album. Unless you would like to listen to some sub "Human League" compositions ("One Hour Of Madness") or some sub "Spandau Ballet" ballad ("Man").
I guess that you have the global feel?
You can easily miss this release. I will be extremely generous because of the emotional link I have with the band: two stars. But gosh! These vocals sitting at each corner!!!
![3 stars](static-images/3stars.gif)
Anyway, this , 2007, "MADCAP'S FLAMING DUTY", is not strictly Progressive Electronic as such. Beyond sporting vocals, the majority of the 12 compositions could be pinned down to the Prog eclectic/crossover taggings.
The good news is that among so many acoustic instruments, TD as such is not recognizable, therefore a bit strange but tempting.
The bad news, as with most of TD's post 70s releases, music composition wise, this release will hardly impress any of that decade's followers, less any Michael Cretu's "Enigma" follower, like me (or any Robbie Robertson's follower by the way). But ENIGMA is the best parameter, as he established this kind of stylistic game far from Progland's usual audiophiles, due to the fact, I suppose, that he got air-wave attention. Therefore this TD sounds like an innocent attempt in these well sowed ENIGMA fields.
Good and fun but hardly essential ***3 PA stars.
![2 stars](static-images/2stars.gif)
Vocals have always been risky business for the german band. "Cyclone" was good but not due to its singer, "Tyger" had few rare pleasant moments, the "Dante" trilogy was controversial. Although different and incorporating unusal instruments, "Madcap's Flaming Duty" is globally flat. The songs sound not various enough and fail at catching attention. Chris Hausl's voice does not really improve the compositions. The bonus track "Burning Babe's Reality Song" does not make exception.
For the few rare good moments, there is sometimes some enjoyable floyd-ish guitar play. The only inspired and the most original track is Thorsten Quaeschning's "One Hour Of Madness". It can be described as a mixture of 90's big-beat and soft trip-hop, with typical TD synth sequence and an interesting progression. Only wish this mastered madness could really last one hour instead of 8 minutes.
As a big TANGERINE DREAM and PINK FLOYD fan, I can't help being disappointed by this album. Do not expect to find pulsating electronics nor trippy space rock here, however you may find sleep. For me, "Madcap's Flaming Duty" is only "Eight Minutes of Goodness"...
TANGERINE DREAM Madcap's Flaming Duty ratings only
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Ricochet (Victor) SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
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Redy60 (Radoslav Glushkov)
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kingfox67 (Jim Zuljan)
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Tedeward (Adam Słodowy)
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24db
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ultima_estacion (mauricio iturra)
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improove
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Ennio
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CJSrans (Jose)
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beebs (Bob Briggs)
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Richardw PROG REVIEWER
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jean-marie (Same)
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magoatem (Fabio Poggi)
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Muana (Sergio Martins)
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lord777lord7 (Kuehne, Axel)
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dark vador
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BORA
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bobyor
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CATALISIS (Mario Anzola)
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Justamops
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rwagom
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sensedatum (Giorgio)
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richardh (Richard Haydon) PROG REVIEWER
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Glubluk (Glubluk)
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kostas0918
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