TANGRAM 2008

IMHHO, the original album was a masterpiece. One of their best record.

This new edition has been sliced into seven tracks (while the original featured one song; two parts). Needless to say that the whole sounds much more upbeat and dance oriented than the beautiful and moving spacey original.

It is a true massacre in terms of opening: what is called here "Wisdom and Tragedy" and that lasts for about eight minutes is almost an insult to the original piece of music which was called "Tangram".

At this stage of their career, I don't understand AT ALL what the band is trying to reach with such a record. Sales? I don't believe taht they have fooled millions of fans with this. Innovation? You're telling me!

So: what's left?

I really have no clue and I'm somewhat voiceless when confronted with such a work. Totally useless of course: just grab the fine original. Close your eyes and listen to its beauty. But not to such a denaturized "product". Because it is only a product. And not a good one (the awful and dance "Wu Wei" is the poorest moment available).

For healthy reasons, I guess that the short and moving "Leaving the Masters For Good" was imposed to get some good notes in all this messy mix. To be honest, I also have to mention that " Point of No Return" also features a great opening (for about four minutes). After this, the "dance" pleasure starts all over again.

You might have understood that this is another album which should have remained unreleased. But gluttony was stronger?Here and there, some decent portions of music, but really scarce. Like the fine closing "Terra Coda" which is close to the original.

Two stars (upgraded from three out of ten because I am a deep fan of the band).