Search - Tangerine Dream :: Oasis

An Emotional Oasis

Steve Benner | 07/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Your preference for TD's various "era's" come into play here, and if you prefer the hypnotic earlier material from pre-1980, you may find this one a bit too logical. That being said, I must agree with some of the other reviewers that this is indeed one of TD's finest soundtracks. Apart from the non-rhythmic jangling of "sleigh bells" (?) on "Hopi Mesa Heart", this is a first class listen from start to finish. My own TD favorites are ones which have several changes of pace in a compositional style, yet retain melody and rhythym throughout. Favorite all-time tracks of TD's are "Voxel Ux" (Quinoa), "Yellowstone" (Le Parc), "Beauty of the Blast" (Architecture in Motion), and "Waterborne" from this CD. To REALLY enjoy "Waterborne", listen to it on a system with a wide freq. response, and studio monitor style speakers that can really push air. There's a lot of lo-frequency stuff here that "bookshelf" speakers conceal. As has been said, the tracks "Summer Storm" and "Chia Maroon" also lend considerable weight to the value of this CD. This is more than just pretty tunes, there's a lot of depth and composition here that make this one a CD you can really melt into."

A newer, gentler TD

Jean Comeau | Montreal, Quebec Canada | 10/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is definitely softer than earlier TD. Marks a clear definite break with early TD, or music of that kind from the seventies, just like Vangelis (listen to early Vangelis work and you'll agree). I understand more today why people who enjoy this album don't like their earlier work and vice-versa.Very moody music, relaxing rather than hypnotic, as earlier TD music has often been described. A bit more "new age" in my opinion than Architecture in Motion, which at times I dare compare to "house" music (really!).In conclusion, if you enjoy atmospheric music, this is a definite buy."

Flashflood of impressions

Daniel A Kaufman | 01/19/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The year 1995 brought us only one proper release from the Froese family, but what release! I might say that "Oasis", a soundtrack to the environmental motion picture, is hands-down the best new-material album we got from the Froeses in the 90s. Funny - some tracks were good enough to replay them during concert tours. Yes, I mean replay, since the Froeses do not innovate on stage like Tangerine Dream used to in the days of old. The first track, 'Flashflood', is the example of a good tune which sounds better onstage than on the studio album. Mind you, this music is not terribly sophisticated, quite to the contrary, but Oasis definitely possesses something which other albums of the decade lack - concept and atmosphere. The second composition, 'Zion', is much like the cheesy tracks from "Miracle Mile", and I suspect Edgar Froese reheated some old samples, and rerecorded them, adding new stuff. What he added makes all the difference, for 'Zion' actually features an oscillating shadow of an arpeggio, something I didn't hear from Froeses Dream in about 11 years. The next track, 'Reflections' is a simplistic, but good enough tune in the New Age tradition. It definitely sounds like a soundtrack, which cannot be said about "Zoning" or "Destination Berlin", the recent entrees from Froese cutting board. 'Cliff Dwellers' brings us back to "Shy People" - although that is a distant recollection. Very likeable, it is not as obnoxious as their recent albums. Then, we are treated to a real pearl, 'Waterborne', a beautiful synthesizer ballad I didn't suspect them of being able to conceive. It's certainly the best composition recorded since 1988, or indeed ever after. One cannot demand too much, though, as we learn when 'Waterborne' ends, and 'Cedar Breaks' begins. Completely forgettable track, which reminds me of "The Seven Letters from Tibet". Fortunately, the album is long from being over, and we simply cannot believe our ears, when we hear 'Summer Storm'. Another brilliant ballad. The last track of the proper soundtrack, 'Hopi Mesa Heart', is strange, with sampled sounds bristling and whistling. Nothing special, but at least there is no sign of drums anywhere. My edition of the CD features a bonus track, 'Chia Maroon', which is too happy-go-merry to really appreciate it. As an aside note, it hints at the next studio album - "Goblins Club".All in all, "Oasis" is the most interesting entry from the Froeses in years. My advice would be the following. If you are not too fond of their music of the 90s, but want to go for the best, buy one good compilation, and one good album. I think that's it's a reasonable idea to have "Oasis" in your collection."