STRATOSFEAR

As many have mentioned, this may well be TANGERINE DREAM's most melodic album. Nothing really too dark or experimental about this one, making it an excellent place to start for someone wanting to check out their sound. This is also the final album with the classic lineup, and they have done away with the side long track that they were always known for. Interesting that all three guys play mellotron on this one.

"Stratosfear" opens quietly with gentle guitar and synths before that electronic beat comes in. Synths help out, and the sound gets louder after 2 minutes. This is so melodic. Check out the guitar as it comes ripping in at 7 1/2 minutes. A change before 9 minutes as gentle guitar and electronics end it in a melancholic way. "The Big Sleep In Search Of Hades" opens with mellotron flutes and harpsichord. Then a minute in we get synths and mellotron building and collapsing for a while. This section is as dark as this album gets. The intro melody returns to end it. Nice.

"3 AM At The Border Of The Marsh From Okefenokee" has this somewhat experimental intro with background harmonica.Then 2 minutes in we get this heavenly wall of mellotron. The mellotron 3 1/2 minutes in is gorgeous as electronic sounds pulse, and spacey sounds follow. Some harmonica late as well. I'm a big fan of the soundscapes they create in this one. "Invisible Limits" opens with a faint beat as spacey waves come in. Such a beautiful soundscape after 2 minutes. Drums and a change 3 minutes in. Guitar a minute later as those pulsating sounds arrive. We get an eerie section before 7 minutes.The song becomes very calm.The piano after 9 minutes is surprising, and it continues to the end of the song.

This is different from the others I have heard, but it's still TANGERINE DREAM and I like the intrigue they have created.