Search - Tangerine Dream :: Melrose

In quest of sensible direction

Brianna Neal | 01/14/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"In the fall of 1990, Tangerine Dream released a new studio album, "Melrose", which is proof enough that the band was looking for a new direction. For years, ever since Christopher Franke left the band in 1987, Tangerine Dream was a duo of Paul Haslinger and Edgar Froese. The former felt constrained in Tangerine Dream, and subsequently left the band, and emigrated to America, where he started a musical career of his own. The latter was quickly getting out of ideas, and desparately needed help, as it was. The band thus made an extraordinary move - employing Edgar Froese's son, Jerome, as a full member in 1990. Thus the band was again a trio, however shortly. "Melrose" is the only album composed by this line-up, and truth be told, it's no big loss that that direction was not continued from 1991 onwards. Sad as it is, the band shrunk to the father and son in 1991, and their common output was worse than might be imagind back in 1990. For all these reasons, "Melrose" is a turnaround, a significant album. It is the last one which with a stretch of imagination might be considered as a Tangerine Dream album. Efforts of Edgar and Jerome have nothing to do with Tangerine Dream as a band. The ensemble effectively died in 1991. What can be said about the album itself? Almost an hour long, it offers a significant improvement over the last several albums, although this does not mean much in general. It's directionless, painfully aimless, and the compositions are much too long, considering the contents. More often than not, it feels as if the band simply went out to lunch, forgetting to turn off the recording equipment and sequencers, as is evident on 'Yucatan', 'Rolling Down Cahuenga', or 'Art of Vision'. Other times, we are back to the times of cheesy tunes known from 1989 - the tracks 'Three Bikes in the Sky', and 'Electric Lion' in particular. Sometimes the knife opens itself in the pocket, and compulsively, we look for the 'skip' button - 'Dolls in the Shadow', 'Rolling Down Cahuenga'. Only the opening and closing tracks offer something that can redeem this sad, missed album. 'Melrose' is dynamic, glued from two separate tunes, one of which features a saxophone. What for? Where is the idea? Apparently they didn't have a cue themselves. What can be said about an album where a track like 'Melrose' offers the most musically? Not much, and the closing track, 'Cool at Heart', although begins promisingly, does never arrive where it seemed to be headed. Such a nice electric piano tune - a goodbye of Tangerine Dream."

Melrose: On the Road

Fishin & Grinnin | Nova Scotia, Canada | 02/14/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although many TD fans seem to be divided into two camps, pre-'83 and post-'83, I confessedly like pretty well all of it. There are times when a good book and an album like "Zeit" go together, or there times when a long highway drive finds "Melrose" and some of it's likenesses more appealing. Favorite tracks "Dolls in the Shadow", "Art of Vision", and "Rolling Down Cahuenga" are good driving music, that you can still converse to with a passenger. This CD being the culmination of what TD's website calls, "The Melrose Years", they are characterized by prominent use of electronic percussion, to drive fairly simple yet memorable melodies along the way. The only thing that prevents me from giving "Melrose" a 5-star rating is the use of the electric guitar. Unlike almost everything else they do, I find the guitar solos a bit too abrasive for my middle-aged tastes. As a final note, if you want soemthing to travel with, "Melrose" is a good companion, along with "Optical race" and "Lily on the Beach"."

Just what you want: Mellow, top-quality new age music,

Tom B | Westport, CT USA | 02/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A wonderful disc to relax to, and at the same time listen carefully to. You can put it on and set the volume for background levels, and you'll be peacefully conveyed to a place where all is calm, tranquil and, in fact, harmonious. At the same time, if your mind demands more stimulation all you have to do is lift your eyes and listen more closely, and you'll be stimulated by top-flight musicians, exploring new worlds of emotional expressiveness.



This is a wonderful album, no doubt about it. If you'd like music that soothes you at the same time as stimulating you, this is right up your alley. Energetic, dynamic and yet mellow -- no easy feat -- by three of the best in the business. This is an excellent album and a fine purchase. I'm still playing it, and enjoying it, frequently after nearly fifteen years.

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