STARDUST MEMORIES

A pleasant change to my listening habits, Mueller's "Stardust Memories" sounded as a kiln of influences from decades of electronic music, resembling to Jean-Michelle Jarre, Vangelis, Kraftwerk (yes that too) and Mike Oldfield.

Under the banner of "Crossover Prog" here in PA but the album displays qualities that stretch beyond pop music, and although not quite a "Berlin-school" electronic prog album, the electronic element is dominant, along with a stream of symphonic rock, with references to Yes, ELP and even Marillion but in a "lighter" classical/symphonic atmosphere. Mainly instrumental, the album does not display complexity to a high degree, but rather invests on spacey soundscapes (check titles such as 'Alien Ambassador' or 'Lunar Sea') and solid bass lines. The more upbeat, adventurous passages are found in 'Venus Transit' and 'Alien Civilisation' and the grandiose 'Elysian Fields' and 'Some Things Never Change'. The single vocal attempt 'Break the Frame' does not add anything important to the recipe, which might have benefited from vocals in other tracks. Production-wise, there are no real problems apart from a couple of tracks with poor drum sound.

Pleasant release, without surprises but some highlights, which you can enjoy for free on Alfred's website, especially if you like the combo of crossover prog with the 70's nostalgic electro-feeling.

www.soniqtheater.de