GÖRLITZ

My only experience with PULSAR up to this point was with "Halloween", an album many consider their best and most symphonic. Well I couldn't get into it at all, in fact I agree with kennethlevine's thoughts (second review up) on that one.Their last album before this one was back in 1981, so about an eight year hiatus, although they kept busy in the music industry. What I love about this album is the atmosphere, there is tons of it. There is an eighties vibe as well that I like.

"Gorlitz" is the opening side long track at over 19 minutes. It opens with the sound of this guy talking, then in the background we can hear this sound that gets louder and louder. It's a train ! See album cover. Suddenly we can't hear the guy at all, just the train. Cool. Keyboards take over with some atmosphere, you can hear children playing, then a change as drums, bass and guitar take over. Vocals 4 minutes in. Lots of atmosphere after 7 1/2 minutes as drums and bass throb while the guitar cries out. A more powerful atmosphere arrives 10 minutes in then the guitar fades out a minute later. It turns heavier 11 1/2 minutes in then the guitar starts to solo before 13 minutes. Nice. Vocals are back after 14 minutes. It's heavy again before 16 1/2 minutes as the guitar lights it up. The atmosphere rolls in a minute later as the heaviness subsides. What a great track !

"Fin De Voyage" opens with drums, atmosphere and vocals.I thought of DEAD CAN DANCE right away here. The guitar after 1 1/2 minutes starts to grind away. "Naufrage" opens with pouring rain as keys and atmosphere join in. The guitar comes in as the lightning cracks. We can hear voices and then it kicks in reminding me of ROXY MUSIC. Great sound ! "Pour Un Autre Depart" is a short mellow tune with keyboards and fragile vocals. A touching song. "Autour De Toi" has a good beat with atmosphere. Again "Avalon" era ROXY MUSIC comes to mind. Sax after 2 minutes then the guitar solos beautifully. "Tara" opens with a keyboard soundscape. Sax after a minute joins in. Lots of atmosphere and no vocals.

This has been such a pleasure to listen to over this past week. A solid 4 stars.