Tangerine Dream - Tyranny of Beauty

Plain

Of course, we all are entitled to our opinions, especially regarding music taste, and I am glad many of you like this album. Unfortunately, I did not experience the same level of enjoyment as you did, and I regret it because I am a long-time fan of TD (I discovered TD with Stratosfear, and they immediately became my top 5 bands in the 70s). But, and here is the huge BUT on this album: it is too busy and at the same time too plain. Nothing stands out.

TD use to have very distinguishable (unique) melodies and rhythmic sections. This album has no pulse, and barely any life (listen to the closing song "Largo" and you will see what I mean: it ends the album with an attempt to a more classical note with a flute-like leading instrument that is just plain and uninspiring). Even the "new" version of Stratosfear 1995 does not come close to the original version (no I am not a snob who only prefers old versions - take the remake of Led Zep "No Quarter" by Page/Plant in 1994, and it has remixed songs that are unique and improved over the originals like "Nobody's Fault but Mine", with middle eastern musical accents that are beautifully arranged). Where the original Stratosfear was focused, sharp, and very effective, the remake is busy and diluted, with unnecessary additions in the rhythmic structure.

Overall it is an unsatisfying album. TD has created high expectations for their fans and they reap what they saw with this album. This CD is not a horrible exercise, but close to their worst one, and by far inferior to my favorite landmarks: Rubicon, Stratosfear, and Optical Race. November 4, 2007

Nice followup to Turn of the Tides

In the trio of "Guitar" CDs that I consider of Tangerine Dream, this one ranks behind Turn of the Tides, but ahead of Rockoon.

"Guest musician" guitarist Zlatko Perica left the band sometime between the release of Turn of the Tides and the sessions for this CD. His replacement is Gerald Gradwohl, a competent guitarist to say the least, but Zlatko's fire on the previous CDs was partly the reason that they were so good.

Tyranny of Beauty has some great guitar work by Grohwohl and Jerome Froese, I love listening to this CD, but for whatever reason the tunes just aren't as memorable as those on Turn of the Tides. That being said, it is a great CD and there is some great guitar work. Turn of the Tides and Tyranny of Beauty should be in the collection of any instrumental rock fan or guitar enthusiast. I think the saxophone is more prominent on this CD than the predecessor, but it doesn't detract from the listening experience in my humble opinion. Some standout tracks for me are Catwalk, Birdwatcher's Dream, Living In a Fountain Pen, and Haze of Fame.

Similar to its predecessor, the only thing that could make this CD better would be the use of an actual drum set then the drum machine/synth samples that they use for their drums. November 29, 2005

Awesome!

This is a highly hypnotizing and energetic blend of dance and dark ambient New Age beats all on one great CD! "Catwalk", "Little Blond" and "Living in A Fountain Pen" are just sheer beauty! Buy this CD! That's all I can say for now! June 24, 2003

Awesome!

This is a highly hypnotizing and energetic blend of dance and dark ambient New Age beats all on one great CD! "Catwalk", "Little Blond" and "Living in A Fountain Pen" are just sheer beauty! Buy this CD! That's all I can say for now! June 24, 2003

Unmatched

This album was my first TD album, so it set the standard for the many other TD albums I would purchase since then. I have listened to their previous works and their works since, and I maintain my position that Tyranny of Beauty is a high water mark for this group.

This is a fusion of many different musical styles, and the variety of sounds and instruments creates a genre in itself. Every track is good, with the possible exception of the final track.

Take this album on a road trip and listen to it from beginning to end. I have played this album more than anything else in my collection, and it still amazes me. I give it my highest recommendation. August 7, 2002

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