Search - Tangerine Dream :: Rockoon

The Froese family

R. Legendre | New Orleans, LA | 06/26/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Well, it's 1992 and TD has been reduced to a duo once again. Paul Haslinger was forced to leave the band when his home country of Austria tried to draft him. Since military service was compulsory for all Austrian males, Paul fled to the good 'ol USA to embark on a very prolific solo career (mostly doing soundtrack work).



Nevertheless, TD carried on as father and son (Jerome Froese is Edgar's son for those of you not "in the know"). Jerome, having been marginally involved in the band since 1989 and then becoming a full-fledged member in 1990, had proven that he was a capable and talented musician in his own right (how could he NOT be?).



Rockoon definitely reflects Jerome's influence. Many of the tracks are rife with heavy, distorted electric guitars (frequent TD guest guitarist Zlatko Perica can also be heard on some of the songs) and convey more of a hard-rock, if not heavy metal, sound. The result is a new direction and a new sound that one would not easily identify as coming from Tangerine Dream.



Does the new sound work? Yes and no. Songs like "Big City Dwarves" (where do they get these titles from?!?!?), Funky Atlanta and Grafitti Street are deft compositions with some excellent guitar and keyboard work, but the rest of the album seems to lack any passion.



Is it enjoyable? Again, yes and no. Depending on your tastes as well as your loyalty to the band, I'm sure you will be torn on this album. It is definitely something different, which is what Tangerine Dream has always been about. I'm sure the band gained a new fan base with this album and I'm sure they lost a few long-time fans as well.



Was it worth it? Give this album a spin and decide for yourself..."