FLASHPOINT (OST)

This record has some electronic drums parts (like on Rush's Grace under pressure, but much simpler here!) There are many songs that are not really full of keyboards, and Froese's electric guitar is VERY discreet and rare: I have detected it on the "Plane Ride" track; The album borrows some elements from albums like Hyperborea and Poland: for instance, "Highway patrol" has a strong "Sphinx Lightning" influence. The tracks are short, often full of beat, not linear, and they have a rather film music style. An odd surprise is the "Flashpoint" track, a very banal rock song performed by The Gems. My 2 favorite tracks are: "Going west", a melodic keyboards oriented track with powerful electronic drums beat; the sound is pleasant and addictive; "Mystery tracks", a soothing piece full of mellow & melodic streams of keyboards. Like on the Stratosfear album, Tangerine Dream uses harmonica here, at the end of "Lost in the Dunes". This album has a couples of variations on the same theme.

Rating: 3.5 stars