Search - Tangerine Dream :: Electronic Meditation (Dlx)

Destroys all preconceptions of Tangerine Dream

W. T. Hoffman | Pennsylvania, United States | 02/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I found this title in the bargin bins, on cassette for $2 at the mall. Now, the only music I knew of Tangerine Dream, were some of their mid 70s LPs, with the endless synth arpeggiators and layered keyboards. Then starting around 1979 their sell out period starts. I had no idea, that the band helt a secret. After the first time I played this, I RUSHED OUT to find it ASAP on CD. It's fantastic, a real mind blowing rock album, with touches of the Kosmische direction. It manages to be spacey at times, rock at times, and freakout at times, while still being an organic whole. This is avante-guard Berlin music at its hippie heights, and I think ANYONE into the Krautrock scene, would fall in love with this title. Also highly recommended, are the next 3 LPs they recorded. None of them have the rock elements as well represented as they are here. I think that Froese ought to dig this LP out, blow tbe cobwebs out of his head, and listen to where he started from. If you do like the sonic wallpaper sound of later Tang Dream, this might not be for you, however. Geile Musik, Mensch."

A brain does indeed burn...

Jeffrey J.Park | Massachusetts, USA | 11/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded in 1969 and released in 1970, this debut is significant in that Tangerine Dream was finally up and running after a few years of false starts and shifting personnel. The harsh, mechanical "sounds" on Electronic Meditation bear no semblance to the synth-heavy soundscapes that Tangerine Dream would eventually become associated with, although this is still a very important work and reflects avant-garde tendencies that were being used during that time. Specifically, all of the pieces were heavily influenced by the experimental trends pioneered by the British psychedelic/proto-progressive band Pink Floyd - especially their multi-movement suite "A Saucerful of Secrets" (Pink Floyd, 1968). This tendency is best illustrated on "Journey through a Burning Brain" where tribal drumming that emphasizes the tom-toms and floor toms (by future electronica wizard Klaus Schulze), sustained "churchy" sounding Hammond organ chords played in a minor key (some passages quote directly from A Saucerful of Secrets), and heavily distorted guitar parts figure prominently. What sets this recording apart however, is the wild abandon with which the pieces are constructed. For example, the pieces lapse into free-form "chaos" that can get very, very heavy at times. Although instrumentation is sparse (organ, guitar and drums), other instruments such as the cello and the flute are also included and lend a somewhat pastoral aspect to the chaos. This CD was nicely re-mastered by Castle and features the original artwork, although the sound quality is pretty poor. Then again, Electronic Meditation was recorded under primitive conditions with primitive recording equipment, and it seems unlikely that any amount of fiddling would help improve the sound quality. This recording is for the adventurous or the devoted Tangerine Dream fan (like me). Also recommended from this early period is Alpha Centauri (1971), which is where the classic Tangerine Dream sound starts to emerge."

Creative Debut For The Great Tangerine Dream

Edgardo Beckham | Jacksonville,Florida | 01/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1970 debut from Tangerine Dream marks their first foray into mind bending unusual and unique music that cannot be categorized.However,unlike their subsequent albums after this,Electronic Meditation is not a space music or ambient music album.It is,however,an experimental album in the true sense of the word.TD's debut album was recorded when they were still,in a sense,a rock band.The album's title is deceptive,because there are no electronic instruments here except for the electric guitar.No trademark TD synths here.However,the album is still equally captivating,from the opening moments of the eerie,cello grinding,flute crazy opener,"Genesis",to the experimental rock jams of "Journey Through A Burning Brain" and "Cold Smoke",Electronic Meditation is full of surprises from begining to end,and never ceases to amaze me,every time I listen to it.If your'e looking for music that truly stands out from the rest of the ordinary competition,do yourself a favor and listen to this incredible,fascinating album.I guarantee you will never look at music the same way again.Have fun,and enjoy!I know I did!"