Tangerine Dream - Exit

Released during a period of tense Cold War saber rattling, Tangerine Dream's Exit (1981) shows that even a machine-driven electronic band can claim a social conscience. Its first track, "Kiev Mission" (which the label misspelled on the album), opens with explosions, sirenlike wails, and then, against a stark sonic backdrop, a whispered plea (a female voice speaking Russian) to end the threat of a "limited" nuclear war, a genuine and much-discussed danger at the time. Some of the album's atmospheric pieces are a touch dated and static (though the X-Files-like "Remote Viewing" merits a thumbs-up). Still, Exit contains two of the most intriguing short-form compositions the group ever released: the driving "Choronzon" and the pulsing, ever-evolving "Network 23," a truly arresting piece in its day, and one that still sounds good a few decades later. --Terry Wood Amazon.com

a good way to get outside of yourself

Admittedly, TD purists may have a problem with this album, and they may have a point. This is a clear departure from what they had done up to this point. However, I still find this album to be a great listening experience. Not their best album, kind of short, but still very pleasant. This is more of an '80s album...more beat-oriented, with clear, distinctive melodies, haunting, seductive '80s melodies that draw you in, and then help you find a way outside of yourself. Drum machines were becoming a tool that TD started to lean on. Sequencers and synths with that distinctively '80s sound, creating mesmerizing melodies that just draw you into their web. The opening tune has some vocals...a female voice speaking in Russian, according to the product description above. The girl seems to be listing off the continents, then giving a plea in Russian to end the threat of a limited nuclear war (a very real threat at the time). Of course like most fans, I prefer TD's instrumental stuff. But it's only the one song that has vocals, it doesn't last long in the song, since it's in Russian, it doesn't detract from the music like lyrics often do...it's spoken, but still feels more like '80s pop, not Rap (thank God!) Take it from me...a man who definitely prefers instrumental music, from TD and everyone else...it does not ruin this album! Even though this is not TD's best, it is still a worthy (mostly instrumental) album! The synths take on an '80s pop feel with their instrumental melodies, and this album is a clearly haunting and mesmerizing work. I don't mean to imply the album sounds totally like an '80s pop album! Believe me. This album has plenty of the TD haunting, gloom and surrealistic qualities that you want in a TD disc. They were just moving on and keeping their style fresh, while moving into a new decade. Take my word for it. Go now...find the nearest exit, and go give this disc a spin. Your head will thank you. September 2, 2008

very possibly my favorite 80s TD release

"Exit" (1981) was my introduction the world of Tangerine Dream; I actually picked up a vinyl copy of it an LP store for $1 a couple summers ago, but didn't give it a quality listen until I got the CD version a couple years later.

The pure-synth, pure 80s sound evokes an aura of fall and early winter for me (probably in large part due to my many college fall/winter "bike adventures" listening to this album along with TD's "Hyperborea" and "Radiophonics" by Robert Fripp, both amazing albums as well). The opener "Kiew Mission" is very similar in structure to the title track of "Hyperborea" and evokes an otherworldly feel. The lead synth (or guitar?) near the end played over the final theme is haunting and amazing. "Pilots of Purple Twilight" is a fun, rhythmic track that is full of awesome 80s synths, as is "Chronozon." "Exit" is the second best track on the album after "Kiew Mission", evoking a rainy fall day (the rain effects on the track help with that!). The final two tracks are excellent as well.

Definitely one of my favorites from Tangerine Dream, and essential for any fan of TD and/or 80s synth music.

Best Tracks: Kiew Mission, Exit June 3, 2008

Exquisite

This was the first TD album I ever heard or bought. After this one, I was hooked on TD for life.

Exit is a departure from previous TD albums in that it has more than just 2 or 3 tracks and each track is considerably shorter than older, traditional TD compositions. This, in my opinion, brought TD one step closer to mainstream music but without the band losing any of their mystique and uniqueness.

Each song is a sleek, modern (for 1981) foray into electronic realms that evoke pictures of a thriving, pulsating, neon-ridden, rain-soaked metropolis. TD's sound had evolved with this album and it was only a sign of the great things yet to come from such a remarkable band.

Any TD fan SHOULD own this album.

June 19, 2007

Another upbeat must get TD album

this is another upbeat TD album that is worth getting if your a td fan i usually skip the first track cause there is some spoken word in russian i think. but then every track is pretty good after that. network 24 really gets you into the groove. good driving music too. worth getting for shure if your a td fan. especially if you like upbeat stuff. May 5, 2007

Even though I love their 1970s output, this album still holds interest for me

I really do enjoy this 1981 release even though 80's tone colors and textures are starting to creep in around the edges - perhaps even moreso than on the excellent Tangram (1980). Fortunately, there is enough of a brooding and organic feel to Exit that it all balances out in the end. The six tracks on the album are pretty short by Tangerine Dream standards and range in length from 4'07" to 9'18". Although there are no weak compositions on the album, I do have my favorites and they include Kiev Mission, the title track Exit, and the closing track Remote Viewing.

Although the music on Exit is clearly different than the music from their peak during the mid-1970s, it is still pretty darn good and is certainly one of their better albums from the 1980s. If you enjoy this album, it is likely that the wonderful Tangram would also prove enjoyable. If you have not explored the 1970s material, start off with Rubycon (1975). Many fans (and critics) feel that it is the high point of their entire recorded output. May 21, 2006

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