TIMECODE

Five years were necessary for "Chandelier" to release this album after "Facing Gravity". But it seems that time had no influence. Same stuff, but less interesting.

For sure, one has to be deeply rooted in the neo-prog genre to acclaim this band. I must agree that I am no alien to this genre, but sub-par clones of clones are too much at times. And this album might well be the one too much.

I could find them decent with "Pure" or "Facing Gravity", rating both works with three stars. Because each of these album did hold a couple of great songs. Unfortunately, I can't find such one here. Basic and third tier neo-prog.

Extremely long album as well: over seventy minutes! I wish I could have experienced such a length with my beloved "Genesis", "Tull", "Led Zep", "Purple", "Floyd" etc. But in those remote times, the format was not as such even if "Selling." clocked at over fifty minutes. But this was a masterpiece.

One has to recognize that "Half Empty, Half Fool" sounds pretty good. Heavy keys and fine vocals (which is not frequent for a German band). I have already mentioned Martin's capabilities in terms of lead singer. Of course, he sounds exactly as Nicholls (who sounds as .), but emotion and feeling are on the rendezvous. And I like this. Udo Lang's guitar work is truly good. THE highlight.

And even if the words "Nursery Rimes" appear on "Child Of Hopes", there is nothing great to expect form this song (even if Udo is offering a quite decent guitar break again).

Overlong compositions, dull and uninspired music are mostly what you can expect while listening to "Timecode". Major problem being song writing, because musicianship is rather OK (Udo being really above average). But to listen to a long complaint like "Living In The Human Race" is such a pain!

I'm afraid I can't share the same enthusiasm as other reviewers (without written text to defend their point of view). This album has little to offer even if "Ferengi Lover" doesn't sound too bad after all.

Udo Lang is really the one who holds this album on his shoulders. But he can't do no wonders and "Have A Break" is just a disaster. It combines the poorest that neo-prog can offer. Almost plagiarism from whom you might know.

The secong good song here, is Mountain High. It features real passion, which means a lot to me. Needless to say, two good songs are a little short to make a good album. Two stars is the rating. Nothing brilliant, just average music. Average rating is just what this album deserves.

Third album named Time code of this unknown neo prog band from Germany. Hmm, this time Chandelier needs 5 years to come with another album, this one and is not as good as the predecesor for sure. Quite enough time to come with something great or at least good, but this time Chandelier proves that they are running out of ideas. While the album is not bad, has some good moments in places some very strong ones but the overall atmosphere and the tempo of the album is rather dull and without that passion of Facing gravity. With Time code they enter in the same league with the mediocre bands from this genre, same arrangements , same vocal parts, same tempo of the pieces to much mid tempo without bursting out at leats on one or two pieces. Martin Eden the vocalist , who I realy like him on previous work this time sound tired and with not a lot of passion, only on some 3-4 traks is good, on the rest is nothing realy something worth intrest. Now the main man behind this album isthe guitar player Udo Lang, he did all the hard work here and is clear that is a good guitarist and a great songwritter, on some pieces is realy good like on Half Empty, Half Fool, the beggining of the piece is offered by 3 min of instrumntal music and truly shies there, excellent , another highlight is the last track called Mountain High, the reat of the pieces are from mediocre to little good. For ex Have a break beggins like I'm listning some Queen Hot space era, the drums sound horrible, typical '80's. As a whole now the band sounds more towards AOR combined with neo prog, not far from Saga or Asia fame, the keys are rather in background and only sustained the atmosphere , no more that special moments from Facing gravity. I don't quite understand how was possible to release such a mediocre album when you had 5 years for rehersal composing and other arrangements, and is far from previous album, they are now a tired band with no more vein to play, no wonder is their last album, soon after Time code in 1998 they disbanded. Sad, because was a promising band from german lands who offered at least one great album from the three of their career. I will give to Time code 2 stars, well rounded up to 2.5 , a weak album but not realy a disaster.