STRATOSFEAR

Formed in 1967 by Edgar Froese, Tangerine Dream is considered the greatest link between the prog rock music and the electronic music in the last century. Tangerine Dream had a history marked by several different phases. The first phase, between 1969 and 1973, reflects a strong influence of early Pink Floyd's psychedelic work. It comprises the first four studio albums of the band, "Electronic Meditation" from 1970, "Alpha Centauri" from 1971, "Zeit" from 1972 and "Atem" from 1973. These were the years that became known as "The Pink Years". The second phase of the band, between 1974 and 1983, is remembered by fans as the main sound transition period for the project, with keyboards, synthesizers and sequencers being used in their own way. This phase comprises their next eleven studio albums, "Phaedra" from 1974, "Rubycon" from 1975, "Stratosfear" from 1976, "Sorcerer (OST)" from 1977, "Cyclone" from 1978, "Force Majeure" from 1979, "Tangram" from 1980, "Exit" and "Thief (OST)" both works from 1981, "White Eagle" from 1982 and "Hyperborea" from 1983. This phase also includes their first three live albums, "Ricochet" from 1975, "Encore" from 1977 and "Logos... Live At The Dominion ? London" from 1983. This was the phase that became known as "The Virgin Years".

The futuristic sound of Tangerine Dream has influenced several generations and is still remembered today for the absolute singularity that it carried in its productions. This is even more evident when we are talking about the 70's, especially about of their albums that belong to "The Virgin Years". That was also their golden era that is also the phase with their best line up, which comprises Edgar Froese, Christopher Franke and Peter Baumann. This is particularly evident with their albums "Phaedra", "Rubycon" and "Ricochet" which are considered the three main masterpieces of Tangerine Dream. Even in that period they released "Cyclone" that is the only album of their discography with vocals.

So, now let's talk about "Stratosfear", which is the subject of this review. "Stratosfear", the last Tangerine Dream's album by the great trio Baumann, Franke and Froese, shows the group's desire to advance past their stellar recent material and stake out a new musical direction. "Stratosfear" took the style that had been developed on the three previous albums into slicker, more melodic and slightly less abstract territory. It was the first album since their debut to not feature a side-long track. However, "Stratosfear" still is an album consisting of only four songs, where two of them were over ten minutes, cannot be accused of being a commercial sell-out, not even by 70's standards. The organic instruments take more of a textural role, embellishing the effects instead of working their own melodic conventions. "Stratosfear" is also the beginning of a more evocative approach for Tangerine Dream. "Stratosfear" marked the beginning of the band's evolution from their early 70's synthesizer experiments towards a more recognizable and melodic sound. It contains even a stronger blend of Tangerine Dream's acoustic and electronic influences than before.

The title track opens with some relaxed and pleasant chords on guitar, which creates an atmosphere that fits the track very well. The electronic rhythms then start, introducing one of the best and most recognizable melodies that Tangerine Dream ever wrote. "Big Sleep In Search Of Hades" starts with harpsichord laying the foundation for a little melody played on Mellotron-flute that quickly gets stopped by a sinister synth-theme followed by some dark Mellotron strings. The mid-part sounds Eastern influenced. "3 AM At The Border Of The Marsh From Okefenokee" introduced something as unlikely as harmonica to the sound. But, it was used entirely just as an atmospheric effect on the beginning and end of the track. Most of the composition is made up of a pleasant electronic rhythm that slowly moves forward and evolves while Mellotron-flute and atmospheric synths are gracefully on top of it. "Invisible Limits" is the lengthiest track on the album. The funky guitar style on the slowly building opening adds some 70's influences. The opening climaxes in a very loud burst of Mellotron before slowing down to a melodic and laidback guitar theme leads into far faster and more energetic electronic rhythms. The finale sounds quite emotional with its melodic grand piano and longing synth lines.

Conclusion: "Stratosfear" represented the natural and necessary evolvement from the previous albums and that at a time when Tangerine Dream still could change within their signature sound. By treating the sequencers as a third instrument rather than an electronic foundation, "Stratosfear" builds on the softer moments creating a surprisingly warm immediate album. The cyclical nature of the arrangements gives the impression of individual songs rather than a single, epic tone poem. The brisk pacing and accessible melodies would continue to play a prominent role in their subsequent work, especially on "Force Majeure" and "Tangram". As I mentioned before, "Stratosfear" would be the last studio album from the trio Baumann, Franke and Froese and many rank it as one of the best from this fruitful period. And if you like of "Stratosfear", you definitely also should listen to Baumann's first solo studio album "Romance 76".

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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