Tyranny of Beauty

cantosis
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Post by cantosis »

Polls are rubbish one fans favorite album will be anothers least fav. I would say seven letters is probably in my top 5 favorite TD albums yet its near the relegation zone on that poll.....How Tyranny can be higher I really don`t get.
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Hobo
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Post by Hobo »

cantosis wrote:Polls are rubbish one fans favorite album will be anothers least fav. I would say seven letters is probably in my top 5 favorite TD albums yet its near the relegation zone on that poll.....How Tyranny can be higher I really don`t get.
They're not designed to reflect your personal views, merely to judge popular opinion. Just because the majority of fans rate one album higher than another, it doesn't mean it is more worthy. All polls are subjective and I don't put too much store in them.
"In the absurd often lies what is artistically possible." - Edgar Froese
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Chris Monk
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Post by Chris Monk »

Hobo wrote:All polls are subjective and I don't put too much store in them.
Me too ...........unless the agree with me and then they're gosple. :wink:


PS This doesn't happen very often.
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redziller
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Post by redziller »

I love Little Blond in the Park of Attractions - the last guitar section really rocks - love the, well it's not exacty rhythm guitar, but does play a sequence almost under the lead with that simple-but-right piano refrain. Glorious.

Title track too - loveley scratcht guitar.
imho

TD

/ did \
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Pertou

Post by Pertou »

Tyranny of Beauty, 1995. 6/10

Zlatko Perica does not play his guitar this time, on the other hand Mark Hornby and Gerald Gradwohl have done their best to match his virtuosity. They do it so well, I don't miss Zlatko, but like the last time, the guitar playing makes the music, considerable better. Tyranny of Beauty is a strong improvement upon the sound quality and music of Turn Of The Tides.
The intro of Catwalk consists of a vocoder, which we haven't heard since way back. When the track is less than a minute old the, typical TD-melodies starts, but soon after, it takes a turn which is slightly darker, and definitely the height.
Catwalk is dance inspired with a flamenco guitar, but the two things are not mutually exclusive. With Catwalk, Tangerine Dream has somewhat rediscovered the ability to orchestrate a tune decently. This track is one of the reasons why Tyranny Of Beauty marks the beginning of an era where the range of music is listenable again.
Birdwatcher's Dream opens with competent guitar, played by Gradwohl or Hornby. I don't think the sound has been updated to something contemporary, when we hear a very metallic synth, like it was something from the late 80's. The track is in all its relaxed atmosphere quite nice to listen to, with the guitar playing, but doesn't reach the Catwalk-level.
Little Blond In The Park Of Attractions is drowsy. Obviously, a saxophone solo doesn't better things. Fine guitar playing by Jerome, who challenges the structure of the song, and makes it faster and more listenable. Unfortunately, the drowsyness returns.
Living In A Fountain Pen is suitably cheesy the first four minutes to penalize the overall impression. Even the acoustic guitar can't save anything, and why should we be tormented by the saxophone? It simply don't fit in the with my concept of Tangerine Dream!
It get's a lot better when a Dream Theater inspired solo is added after 4½ minute. This solo sets the scene for a cool and heavy piece, with awesome rhythm guitar and guitar show-off. Just enough to save the track.
The re-recording of Stratosfear is in my ears very successful. The introductory and gorgeously pulsating sequencer, resembles the original finely. Even the all-familiar tune, is here played on guitar, and suitably recognizable and different at the same time. That gives Stratosfear '95 a raison d'être. Also, the tempo is very fast, which makes the track rockier than the original. There is also room for a lot of show on the guitar. A bit unnecessary to tell that it's the best track on the album?
Bride In Cold Tears is quite eventful within the first two minutes. First we get tasty guitar playing, which is taken over by eurodance-like piano chords. It becomes ethnic for some seconds, then there is a pieced played backwards, which is quite psychedelic, compared to the rest of the album, and one of the many highlights of the track.
Bride In Cold Tears is the most progressive and versatile track. It is ethnic in its scales and rhythm track, and the decrease of tempo at the end, works as intended.
Haze of Fame is a relaxing piece without much appeal, but it's interesting, as it stylistically isn't far from something from the Underwater Sunlight album. Extremely calm, with equally calm guitars from Edgar Froese.
The title track is guitar swanking, which makes the hairs rise on the arm. No more to be said about this track.
Largo (from Xerxes) by Händel is the worst track. No doubt about that. I find it strange that they repeat the failure from Turn of The Tides, where they mercilessly molested classical music into grim muzak. Largo could be heard at your local Italian restaurant along with panpipe renditions of Celine Dion and Phil Collins tracks, and could do fine to create a romantic mood, but it simply don't belong on a record with serious music. Tyranny of Beauty could be rated much better without this catastrophal blemish. Largo is a foul way to end an album, so try to find the version with the bonustrack called Quasar. Nevertheless, Tyranny Of Beauty is a relief upon Rockoon and Turn Of The Tides, and the rest of the century get's even better.
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epsilon75
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Post by epsilon75 »

I much rather TOTT to TOB..............but that just my opinion :arrow:
RIP Edgar. I am going to miss you.
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Hobo
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Post by Hobo »

epsilon75 wrote:I much rather TOTT to TOB..............but that just my opinion :arrow:
I haven't got TOTT. TOB has some good tracks, but is an average album overall.
"In the absurd often lies what is artistically possible." - Edgar Froese
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Laserdisc Dream
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Post by Laserdisc Dream »

I Like The Seattle Years. :D





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epsilon75
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Post by epsilon75 »

Hobo wrote:
epsilon75 wrote:I much rather TOTT to TOB..............but that just my opinion :arrow:
I haven't got TOTT. TOB has some good tracks, but is an average album overall.

Mick
I can sort that for you if you like,send me a mail :wink:
RIP Edgar. I am going to miss you.
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Hobo
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Post by Hobo »

epsilon75 wrote:
Hobo wrote:
epsilon75 wrote:I much rather TOTT to TOB..............but that just my opinion :arrow:
I haven't got TOTT. TOB has some good tracks, but is an average album overall.

Mick
I can sort that for you if you like,send me a mail :wink:
Thanks Colin, I'll be in touch.
"In the absurd often lies what is artistically possible." - Edgar Froese
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epsilon75
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Post by epsilon75 »

No Problem :wink: Listen before you buy 8)
RIP Edgar. I am going to miss you.
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Post by timer »

I really did'nt like TOTT, but as always time may be a great healer so i'll dig it out.
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epsilon75
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Post by epsilon75 »

timer wrote:I really did'nt like TOTT, but as always time may be a great healer so i'll dig it out.
Galley Slaves Horizon 8) Really like that track as i do the whole album :arrow:
RIP Edgar. I am going to miss you.
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Post by 24db »

TOTT? not too bad...bar those weedy drums
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Chris Monk
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Post by Chris Monk »

Nothing wrong with TOTT. For me it was a continuation in the same direction as Tyranny of Beauty which isn't bad either. Some very good tracks on TOTT. Strangely though the thing that stands out for me is the quality of the recording and the production which is top notch.
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