ELECTRONIC MEDITATION

Wow is all I can say for this album. A band that would change music history forever with their electronic and space travels, the band havent even gotten close to electronic with this album. Edgar Froese created Tangerine Dream with Cello, crafty Krautrock sensibilities, and a total need to resist any type of conformity. But behind the rough production, odd sound effects and total bizarre outlook, the band had created the secret masterpiece of all non - electronic albums.

1.Genesis - Possibly the wierdest of the bunch. The song is a really wierd opener, with Cello freaking out and soon-to-be synth wizard Klaus Schulze banging on the drums, the sound is truely haunting. The track could be closely related to awkward cow noises and avant-garde, if there is any such genre. Completely unique and experimental, start to finish. (8/10)

2.Journey Through A Burning Brain - Easily my favourite song off of the album. The longest of the bunch, it takes a much more Krautrock outlook on things, yet still retaining a huge amount of experimental followings and influences. Though Conrad Schnitzler does not play a huge role in this track as the last one with Cello, the sound is much more mellow and largely ambient, in the sense that the type of genre was not around. Organ's from Froese are excellent and almost calming. The guitar slides from each ear as it has some place to go, yet it doesn't quite know how to get their yet. The song stars to build up tempo into one of the most experimental. Schulze really destroys the drumkit on this song, as does Forese on the obviously aggervated guitar roles. The song is of complete intrest. (9.5/10)

3.Cold Smoke - Though not as infiltrating as the previous track, it's still an intense journey through worlds of bleak, isolation, and everything inbetween. It follows pretty much the same formula as the last track, as it has a huge ambient beginning, yet follows with a harsh and chaotic experimentation, this track utilizes a bit more "electronic" effects. The Cello is being freakishly played in an almost awkward state under the thrashing drums of Schulze and the frentric guitar of Froese. It's interesting as a continuation of the last track, yet it seems to stand above the rest in an odd way. (9/10)

4.Ashes to Ashes - Now these two ending tracks are much more psychedelic than the last few, as the experimentation is met with consistent rhythms and a much more melodic sound from Froese's guitar, not saying that this would make the top 10 any time soon, but it is much more accesible than the previous two tracks. It's an interesting trip to oppressed lands unknown. (6.5/10)

5.Ressurection - Church organ loud, spoken word "poetry" (recited in German), and a willing to be different, the song isn't the strongest ending I have heard from the band. After the interesting opening, the song goes into an almost dark ambeint and haunting acid trip kind of world, yet no place to go but down. An unfashionable way to break in their first album. (5.5/10)

The album was a huge leap for the band, and an even bigger leap into the genre known as Progressive Electronic. Though I cannot give it anymore than 3 stars, it's still an interesting way to learn more about how the group functioned with Klaus Schulze. I recommend to borrow from your local library if your willing to experiment with this type of music.