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Eloy - Chronicles I CD (album) cover

CHRONICLES I

Eloy

 

Psychedelic/Space Rock

3.60 | 73 ratings

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SouthSideoftheSky
Special Collaborator
Symphonic Team
3 stars Spirit in chains

This is a compilation, but it is not an ordinary compilation. What is unusual about it is that it features re-recorded versions rather than the original album versions of some of Eloy's best songs from the period 1977 to 1982. The five original studio albums being represented are Ocean, Silent Cries And Mighty Echoes, Colours, Planets and Time To Turn. The songs are presented in roughly chronological order, beginning with Poseidon's Creation that originally opened Ocean. The arrangement is the same as the 1977 version, but the sound here is that of the early 90's. I would have hoped for improved vocals (less German accent), but it actually stays very close to the original. Great song nonetheless! Silent Cries And Mighty Echoes is represented by The Apocalypse. This song (or the album) was never a favourite of mine and this re-recorded version does not change that. Colours and Planets are represented by two songs each. These new versions have their charms, but they are neither better nor worse than the old versions overall. My all time favourite Eloy album Time To Turn is represented by three great songs. Again, these new versions, though great, add very little to the originals. To add interest for the fans and collectors, there is one previously unreleased song called Spirit in Chains. This songs does not have the same feel as the classics and is more representative of the 90's era of the band. It is not bad, but not very interesting either despite a rather nice Jethro Tull-like flute solo!

This is actually not a bad introduction to 70's Eloy, and for me it even competes with some of the studio albums from which the original songs were taken (especially as some of these 70's albums were far from perfect). However, for those who already have all of these studio albums, this compilation does not add that much of extra value. Besides, this particular reviewer is partial towards the early 80's Eloy of Planets and especially Time To Turn and would advise the beginner to start there as this compilation only offers a taste of Eloy's best.

SouthSideoftheSky | 3/5 |

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