TO OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN

It is really a suprise for me how can this album be so overrated... After "The Shining" this is the second album of Gandalf that features vocals in almost entirely. Well, what can I say... this album simply looks to be the worst moment in the career of this fine Austrian multi-instrumentalist. Don't expect to hear those wonderful guitar solos or tons of different instruments that you usually find on most other Gandalf releases; this album features female vocals in the best part of the record, vocals that sometimes even irritating. With the exception of four average instumental compositions you'll get average to bad songs with vocals.

This album is about an important problem of destroying our enviroment and with it, our future as well. But the serious lyrics don't save the album: it is an interesting example how can a collaboaration of a professional musician and a talended singer result a work that's below their standards. The strong and harsh vocals of Tracy Hitchings simply doesn't fit to Gandalf's well crafted, complex but still gentle music. Best pieces are the title song and "Aquarius" which is re-released in an instrumental version in the following Gandalf album (and is better without vocals) while "The Machine" is the absoulte bottom.

If you're a newcomer to Gandalf you shouldn't start with this album. Instead, try almost any other outings from the 80's, especially "Visions" or "Magic Theatre". If you prefer vocals, you might try the earlier album "The Shining" where the vocals fit a lot better to Gandalf's music.

This album is a sad ending of a great period of Gandalf's career; but after this forgettable release he switched to a new record label and had started to find fresh new ways to express his wonderful musical thoughts again and again...