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Eloy - Chronicles I CD (album) cover

CHRONICLES I

Eloy

 

Psychedelic/Space Rock

3.60 | 73 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
4 stars I wish every compilation albums would be of this genre. Usually, such albums are only a collection of the "greatest" songs of a band. Hopefully organized chronologically. At times (guess why), an unreleased or rare song will be added to seduce the fans.

With "Chronicles I", the band did much better. "Eloy" re-recorded these songs which gives a fresher angle, a more modern sound and better arrangements. A great idea and so much better than a usual compilation (as "Mostly Autumn" has also done with their great "Catch The Spirit").

The endless question of the tracklist will always be a point of discussion of course. And even if it is Bornemann who decided it, I would have liked more songs from "Ocean" and "Silent Cries & Mighty Echoes". These albums do belong to the best of "Eloy" IMHHO.

But the two songs from these albums are just phenomenal. An incredible journey in their spacey music. The versions for "Poseidon's Creation" and "The Apocalypse" are sublime. Much better than in the original work. As such, their are brightly shining. The two indisputable highlights from this album.

"Poseidon" is a psychedelic jewel. Rather hard-rocking as well. But this was how "Eloy" still sounded in the mid late seventies (the period I prefer in their career). Wonderful guitar break after the long intro . Gilmour is very close my friend. But "Floyd" has always been a major influence. I like very much the drumming in this number. But English vocals did not really improve much over the time. This will always remain their weakness, but we'll get some great synth parts (fully Banks oriented) to compensate.

"The Apocalypse" is IMO the song that benefits the most of this new life. It is my preferred track of this brilliant compilation. More guitar oriented than "Poseidon", it has a similar structure (long instrumental intro as well). The second part is just a jewel with great female vocals that can be compared to the ones from Clare Tory during "A Great Gig" on DSOTM. A masterpiece.

"End Of An Oddyssey" is very much Floydian as well. Also the best one from "Time To run" (but there won't be many). Another highlight. The long instrumental intro (five minutes) is a great musical moment. A pouring rain of synths of the best vein.

The unrealised song "Spirit In Chains" is much more than a fan's trap. This excellent song is a mix of "Yes" (vocals) and "Tull" (flute of course). It was a leftover of the "Destination" album. I really wonder why the band did not include it on this album. "Spirit In Chains" is one of the few good songs from these sessions. It could have easily replaced "Jeanne d' Arc" IMO. A very good idea to include it here, although I really don't like this marketing technique.

Only a few blunders like "Silhouette" which was released on "Colours". I was never enthusiast about this album. Still, the good news is that the best track from "Colours" is again featured here : "Illuminations" which is a mix of "Floydian Genesis" (whatever this may mean). The second (and last) blunder is "Say It Is Really True".

Since all the long songs are good (from the spacey "Mysterious Monolith", the Genesis like "Shinx") to excellent, I will rate this effort with four stars. A great entry point to start your "Eloy" discography and then build on around it (with "Inside", "Ocean" and "Silent Cries".

ZowieZiggy | 4/5 |

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