DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC CAMEL ?

I was very impressed by the technical quality of the musiciens when I first heard this album. Because of the title I thought they were going to do a sort of parody of Camel's music but be reassured. We have here lush keyboards with a strong rhythm section which gives a very symphonic sound with Japanese singing which I really like. Never mind if you don't understand the lyrics, you really get carried away in another world. The music sometimes makes me think of big movie soundtracks.

I am quite perplexed about the whole work of this confidential band (at least outside of Japan).

The most difficult obstacle I had to overcome were not only the Japanese lyrics but especially the tone of voice of their lead vocalist. Megumi Tokuhisa sounding as a girl in her early teens for most of their albums. It was not too much of a problem for their debut one which was very much instrumental. But boy ! What a suffering afterwards. Until their previous album "Clockworked Earth" actually. Her voice had turned into some sort of Japanese Lene Lovitch (which I like very much BTW). Fortunately it will still be the case on this album.

Their style is now truely pompous. When you listen to "Do Androids", it is as if you were listening to "Laurence Of Arabia". Same sort of orchestration. Enjoyable melody, lush keys, some complexity and jazzy spices will make it varied. But still, these "Arabian" textures sound a bit strange...

"Maria" is in-line. A bit too much "orchestrated" at times. Some "Genesis" beats to make it catchy. A bit childish perhaps (vocals again...).

Their music is now fully symphonic (actually, I really don't know how to describe their work from "Egg the Universe" in 1988 and "Fable Of The Seven Pillows" in 1991). "Destination" confirms this feeling even if it takes a while to lift off. It is definitely the vocal improvements that are changing so much my miind about "Teru's Symphony". This song holds again some rather pleasant "Genesis" flavours.

The whole album is a nice journey throughout symphonic music with a pompous and grandiose accent. In this respect, I guess that band has listened to ELP ("Maiden Voyage" is another example).

If ever you would like to discover a mix between ELP and Lene Lovitch (quite a programme) this might be funny to discover.

Three stars.

Well this one is beter thanTthe Gate ,the other one i,ve listened.

This one has better melodies,the arabian touch to the symphonic prog make a very good combination.

Here the symph.prog sounds are very clear and pure and nevertheless is not very original and isn,t so good as the masters of this style of prog music,this is really symp.prog rock.Their next album showed a temptation to the poppy prog,and i think that was a step behind.

Vocals sounds better than ther next album and the instrumental interpretations are very good mainly the keyboards.

Four stars

Second Teru's Symphonia album i own with Fable of the seven pillow from 1991. Well this album is more elaborate and complex, musicaly speaking than the album from 1991. Here are 2 outstanding tracks and the best from this album: Do Androids and Destination and why not among the best symphonic prog pieces from entire japanese school of prog. Here Teru's Symphonia is more confident on their musical abilities, and because of that they deliver i think the best or among the best albums in their catalogue. The combination of symph prog with some arabian sounds give to this album a unique feeling, nevertheless sometimes is a little boring like the strange pice From sofly night - Till blessing Morning ( i never understand this piece no matter how much i try), the rest are good with a plus on that 2 pieces mentioned above. So all in all a good album, worth listen at least for me, and desearve 3 stars.