PETE NAMLOOK & K. SCHULZE: THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOOG V

To such an extent, I have been receptive to these "Moog" albums so far. Three good ones, another average piece (the fourth and preceding album): so far so good even if no masterpieces can be taken into account, the great man offered fine but no grandiose music to his fans with this series.

I was quite pleased with the initial part from this fifth opus dedicated to the dark side of the moog. Since there are no relation between the original Floyd title and its KS counterpart, I was not expecting the worse from this "Psychedelic Brunch" which of course refers to the quite disputable "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast" from AHM.

The second part is truly memorable for its ambient and melodic atmosphere. Beautiful synthesizers, a gut feeling and splendid harmony. Such kind of moment which is reminding me of the great works KS provided in the seventies. The same feel is shared with the moving "Part IV".

As usual, this hour long musical anthem has been sliced into different sections (or parts) of which the longest one (the fifth one) do share some lines with the great "Invisible Limits" from whom you might have heard.

It borrows the basic line without sharing the immaculate beauty of the original which I consider as one of the highest point in the huge TD discography. This one is not playing in the same division but is still enjoyable although less inspired. But I compare this song with a masterpiece, so?

The best is sharing the average (even within the same section); but it is a feature that most of the "Moog" fans are aware of. The sixth part is the best example to point out this feeling: a weak and dance debut for a short while followed by a sublime and spacey counterpart. Did you say contradiction?

I have the deepest admiration for the wonderful and totally atmospheric "Part VII" which is the reason that I rate this work with three solid stars even if there are some ups and downs here.