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Tangerine Dream - The Cinematographic Score GTA 5 CD (album) cover

THE CINEMATOGRAPHIC SCORE GTA 5

Tangerine Dream

 

Progressive Electronic

2.91 | 16 ratings

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Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars In this modern technological age, current generation video games are looking more realistic, as well as being able to offer greater depth and deliver narratives more cinematic in scope than ever before. With it's extended atmospheres and sense of drama, it's surprising that progressive related music is not utilized to back video games more often these days, the two mediums really quite a perfect fit for each-other! After the use of `Remote Viewing' from `Exit' on one of the in-game radio stations in `GTA 4', electronic project Tangerine Dream were extended the opportunity to properly soundtrack large sections of the fifth entry in the `Grand Theft Auto' game series for it's 2013 release. Founder Edgar Froese is the sole musician credited here, and this special edition CD entitled `Grand Theft Auto V - The Cinematographic Score' isolates all of the Tangerine Dream music recorded for the project for a consistent and atmospheric modern release from the group, if hardly anything particularly fresh or inventive.

The urban setting of the game series is an easy fit for Tangerine Dream. Polished and crisp electronics with lightly orchestral washes of cinematic synths perfectly convey the sprawling city landscapes of neon lights, spewing factories and cold industrial atmospheres that make up the game. With a heavy crime story, it's no surprise that much of the music is distantly comparable to their late Seventies soundtrack `Thief', especially noticeable on both opener `Place of Conclusions' and `Diary of a Robbery' with their sleek cold electronic pulses over Edgar's trademark chiming electric piano. There's heavier guitar powered blasts like `Downtown Los Santos', skittering pulses throughout `Blaine Country Sunrise' and cool slinking beats on `Burning The Bad Seal'. Pieces like `Mission Possible' thankfully bring some more uplifting and even victorious melodies, and `Beyond the Weakest Point' is more ethereal with a lovely New Age quality by way of soothing flute, gentle synths and unobtrusive pattering beats. The dramatic highlight of the album is the more melancholic and thoughtful `Draw The Line Somewhere'. A nice hissing beat never ceases over moody rising synths with expertly executed cinematic synth builds, yet it still remains restrained and subtle.

There's not a lot here that is particularly new to separate this disc from the endless glut of similar styled modern studio releases put out by Mr Froese and Tangerine Dream, with a borderline recycling of themes and ideas. But there's no denying Froese can create these sort of arrangements with commendable inspiration and energy, and `Grand Theft Auto V - The Cinematographic Score' is consistently strong all the way through for what it is - easy to enjoy and undemanding atmospheric electronic music best appreciated as a background listen, just like it would in the game.

Diehard followers of the group who take the time to listen to and appreciate their modern albums for what they're worth will still likely find much to enjoy here, but hopefully this release encourages younger gamers to check out this pioneering electronic group and discover some of their true classic defining albums.

Three stars.

Aussie-Byrd-Brother | 3/5 |

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