Tangerine Dream - Hyperborea

a fine album that marked the end of the Virgin years

Hyperborea (1983) would prove to be the last Tangerine Dream album released on the Virgin Records label, and the mood throughout is contemplative; even reflective at times. I have to say that this is a fine album and along with Tangram (1980) is certainly one of the better albums released by Tangerine Dream during the 1980s.

The lineup consists of Johannes Schmoelling (synthesizers, programming, keyboards), Edgar Froese (synthesizers, bass guitar, electric guitar, and keyboards), and Christopher Franke (engineer, drums, synthesizers). Although heavily synthesizer oriented, electric guitar parts do turn up here and there, along with drum parts (both electronic and acoustic). Synthesizer tone colors are generally warm sounding. Other instrumentation includes a sitar on a few tracks.

The four tracks range in length from 3:54 (Cinnamon Road) to the lengthy 20:01 closing epic Sphinx Lightning, with the total running time around 40:15. Overall, this is a subdued album that may take a few listens before it fully reveals its subtleties.

The individual tracks sound quite different from one another and range from the art music of India - No Man's Land features very subtle electronic "drones" and tabla-like effects generated on synthesizers, to the quirky, melodic track Cinnamon Road, which sounds like an electronic pop tune. Whereas Cinnamon Road is the most 1980s sounding track on the album (and is not totally satisfying), No Man's Land is one of the more interesting compositions on the album. On the other side of the coin, the gloomy and brooding title track and the epic Sphinx Lightning encapsulate the finest aspects of the "classic" Tangerine Dream sound. In fact, I could hear the faintest references to albums like Force Majeure (1979) and possibly Rubycon (1975). Throughout the entire album is a rhythmic element that is alternately subtle and "gently insistent".

This definitive edition is not so hot although the sound quality is very good. The liner notes are very skimpy and feature the covers to the albums released on the Virgin Records label, along with some generic notes on the band.

All in all, this was a fine way to close out the Virgin years; a period of incredible productivity and creativity. Recommended along with Tangram (1980) and Force Majeure (1979). November 25, 2008

The Land of Perfection

An incredibly special release, Edgar Froese, Christopher Franke and Johannes Schmoelling shape incredible soundscapes in the 1983 release.

The use of a sitar on No Man's Land delivers a new dimension to the TD repertoire, while the title track flows into Cinnamon Road for more than 12 minutes of artistry. Sphinx Lightning is an electronically-charged gem.

There is a fine crispness to the performances and is a foundation to a prolific output throughout the decade...and beyond. November 6, 2008

A blizzardy winter, in musical form

Having begun listening to this album last winter, I'll forever associate most of this album with the massive snowfall and tundra of a Minnesota winter here at my college. This is especially true of the amazing title track, which is like the auditory expression of a beautiful yet bittersweet dream. 'Cinnamon Road' is a simpler, catchier track with even somewhat of a verse-chorus pattern which is powerful and effective. The side-long closer 'Sphinx Lightning' combines the sounds of the previous two tracks with the sequencer sounds of 70s TD classics 'Phaedra' and 'Rubycon', making for a powerful and enriching 20 minutes of music. Oh, and the opening 'No Man's Land' is excellent as well though it's my least favorite on the album.

Overall this is one of my favorite TD releases and one of their best, if not their best 80s release. Essential.

Best Tracks: Hyperborea, Sphinx Lightning, Cinnamon Road June 5, 2008

Tangerine Dream's best album!

This is definitely Tangerine Dream's best album. Especially the first three tracks are great. The first track has a strong rythmic and melodic component and some Eastern influences. The second track is simply beautiful, melancholic, dreamy. The third, shortest, track of the album is a classic TD-song: rythmic with a haunting melody. The final track is the longest: just relax and let yourself drift away...

This album shows what creative potential TD has, unlike the last albums they produce (three albums a year, all rubbish, I regret to say). It's a classic TD-album, with mild rock elements (no guitars, unlike on other TD-albums), haunting melodies, strong rythmic components - everything a synth-music lover wants! February 1, 2006

Hyperborea Not Hyper-Boring

When I first bought Hyperborea I was only hoping that it wouldn't be a hyper-bore or leave me cold like some of my other TD purchases... so I was very surprised when it turned out to be my favorite TD CD, from my favorite TD period (Stratosfear to Le Parc)! I'm not a TD expert (I only own 14 of their CDs), so I won't go into individual tracks here, but let me say that for me Hyperborea seems to be an excellent summation of some of their past work, while also being representative of what was yet to come for them. If I had to grab just one - this would be it.
December 25, 2005

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