OPTICAL RACE

With the departure of Chris Franke, Edgar Froese and Paul Haslinger searched for new musical horizons which they obviously cristalized on "Optical Race", released year after "Tyger". This albums marks a remarkable change in TD's music, much to the shock of some of their older fans. Many hate this album, but many also receive it with open arms. As a "progressive rock" album I give "Optical Race" two stars, as a regular TD release it could receive even three. After the first listening I was very disappointed. The music sounded "flat", it lacked the energy, creativity and power of their earlier releases, like "Tyger". But I gave it another chance, though I almost regretted I had bought it. With next listenings it really grew on me, I began to like it, though still approached the album with caution. Now, after ca 6 listenings I think I like it, however it will never be one of my favourites. TD has too many great albums, and comparing them with this 1988 outing, "Optical Race" is really somewhat weak. A strong "80s flavour" makes its way through the album, making it sound a bit outdated, not as many of its predecessors, even from the early 70s. Melodies are OK, but they are not gripping, and only after few listenings you can really pick up what's going on. "Mothers of Rain" is second to none the best cut here. Other very good tracks include "The Midnight Trail", "Sun Gate", "Cat Scan" and the title track, which sounds a bit "dancey", but at least has a distinctive melody, which makes it likeable. You may also enjoy the 8-minute long "Marakesh" and "Turning Off the Wheel", which begins clumsily but unfolds and then sounds OK. The worst track here is certainly "Twin Soul Tribe", which is a boring flop, while I'm still not sure whtether I like the rest of the tracks. Strange album indeed, confusing. Not creepy as, say "Rubycon", but upbeat and warm, also uptempo but you'll probably need time to like it. I always wanted to listen to "Optical Race" and I don't think I regret buying it after all. There's no link (I suppose) between this album and their more progressive 70s period, so those who enjoy "Phaedra", "Rubycon" and the like, may skip this one.

Optical Race is one of these "up-beat" albums that Tangerine Dream can come up with once in a while. Edgar Froese and Paul Hasslinger after Chris Franke's departure, produced this excellent record with shorter tracks but with the right amout of energy in the composing and instrumentation. Many die-hard fans originally turned their noses away from Optical Race since Tangerine Dream usually features tracks more than 10 minutes long. The guitar/keyboard into on Marrakesh, followed up by sequenced drumming and beautiful played Roland soundscapes makes this "opening" intriguingly positive towards a renewed Tangerine Dream and Atlas Eyes comes in in a very mellow mood, reminding the listener of Canyon Dreams. The track speeds up and gains the same energy level as Marrakesh. Mother Of Rain is the track that brings the energy level down a bit to the normal TD beat. An easy piece of music with wonderful alternative soundscapes. Twin Soul Tribe continues the more mellow soundscape where drums/percussions interlaces with synth flutes, this ebb's out into the title track Optical Race which is a high energy produced, very easy "digested", track where a clear rock'n roll element is the lead. Cat Scan is more leveled out with nice clear piano sounds and guitar's. Sun Gate is more in the oldtime TD style with elements from Underwater Sunlight and a fabulous guitar riff surrounded by perfect synths. Turning Of The Wheel is again a tune that ressembels Canyon Dreams moody soundscapes. The Midnight Trail has the still moody symphonic melodic and features sequenced percussions set's a fast pace counterbalanced by the FX Roland patch so here its back and forwards with the pace. Ghazal is the last track and starts off with a guitar solo (acoustic). The track progresses into a high energy frenezy with an array of synths and sequencers in perfect balance, giving the track a well deserved second title; Love Song...Thats what it is. There are so many beautifully structured Tangerine Dream elements here enough to consider this album among Tangerine Dream's best.

There is not really that much to say about this album, in my opinion. It's flat, boring, and have nothing to do with TD's experimental and fringe past.

It's an 80's album, and this is absolutely clear, so I think that most prog fans should just skip this.

Yes, Optical Race is indeed a flat and mostly boring album with a few good tracks such as Sun Gate and Turning Off The Wheel. For fans only, and only acceptable if it's cheap.

The best album from this early post-Franke period (1988-1990) is Lily on the Beach. This one is full of lively and beautiful tracks, with one or two fillers that don't hurt.

... and Chris Franke left Tangerine Dream. Optical Race is a bit better than its predecessor Tyger (vocals have at least been removed, that's a good point), but is still a flat and mostly uninspired effort.

The first track Marakesh sounds very very little middle-oriental, and contains inappropriate changes of themes. Atlas Eyes is hardly an "empty" track filled with synthetizers. On the opposite, Mothers of Rain is THE track that saves the disc from the trashcan. In constrast with the rest of the album, this piece is very enchanting and puts you in a magic strange place when you listen to it. Then the theme goes stronger and stronger with upbeat and efficient sequenced waves. Then back to boring tracks. Twin Soul Tribe is empty and repetitive and the title track is irritating. Cat Scan attempts to re-use Mothers of Rain's theme but mananges to become cheesy at the end. Sun Gate sounds Pink Floyd-ish and is average with Froese's guitar solo. The last three tracks are flat, especially Ghazal. A "Love Song" from Tangerine Dream ? Horrendous !

I give two stars for the track Mothers of Rain, which carries well its name, comes in contrast with the other tracks and is definitely worth the listen.

There was a time when no other band on earth sounded like Tangerine Dream. But this 1988 album could have been made by anyone: a testament perhaps to their influence on popular culture, but also a sad reflection of the steady decline of this once pioneering outfit.

Blame the technology more than the talent. Ringleader Edgar Froese found a sympathetic accomplice in newcomer Paul Haslinger, recruited to fill the gap left by the unexpected defection of Froese's longtime partner, Chris Franke. But it was difficult in the 1980s to endow the latest digital equipment with any genuine character or personality. The state of the art in the 1980s insisted that music be programmed rather than played, and the result was that just about everything from that era sounded distressingly similar.

There are, thankfully, at least a few bright spots worth highlighting here. The album opens with several tracks sporting an almost exotic North African ambience: "Marakesh", "Atlas Eyes", and the evocative "Twin Soul Tribe". And it's possible to discern a lingering echo of that old, experimental Krautrock spirit, trying to break free of its glossy digital straightjacket in "Turning Off the Wheel" (the hypnotic monotony of the one-chord rhythms are faintly reminiscent of early CLUSTER, circa "Sowiesoso").

Too bad the rest of the album is so superficial, divided between upbeat but distinctly uncool dance floor grooves (as in the title track, and "Cat Scan") and the sort of saccharine ballads ("Sun Gate") unsuited to such an impersonal electronic production (this was, remember, still a few sessions prior to the fortuitous addition of Linda Spa, whose saxophone would warm the band's icy technological aura considerably). Heck, even the cover art here resembles a generic, pre-packaged corporate logo.

The final analysis can perhaps be left to Chinese philosopher Lao Tse, quoted in the CD booklet."The visible creates a work in form--the invisible defines its worth." The problem is there's not much here that isn't entirely visible. What you hear is what you get: another not unpleasant but utterly anonymous package of ersatz soundtrack fodder by the remnants of a group still searching for the rudder it lost years before.

TD is now a duo and the least that I can say is that this album has too little to offer. It has been ages that the band didn't release such a weak effort IMO (the controversial "Cyclone" actually).

It is a monotonous succession of ambient passages without structure and passion. The first to be different is the upbeat and popish title track. But I can't say that this is my cup of tea. The worst so far and the press next type of track, unfortunately.

Some other songs are also offering some electro beat feel like "Cat Scan" or "The Midnight Trail" and to be honest, this is not my preferred TD. But this side of the band is not present on "Optical Race" even if some fine guitar can be heard in "Sun Gate" which the most emotional number available. Good, but no more.

Let's get tribute to this great band. So far, their prolific output revealed very little blunders in terms of original studio or live releases (I'm not talking about their soundtracks here, that's another topic). So, I won't blame them too much for this one. Just average, I guess?

Two stars.

One of the least exciting Tangerine Dream album's I've actually subjected my ears to listening all the way through. It seems to me that a common theme arises in Tangerine Dream's albums after this point, in that their albums only contain one or two really good tracks with the remainder of them being throwaways. Of course that's a bit of a rash generalization, but it holds true for many of their albums during the late 80s and beyond.

The only truly interesting track on this album is the track "Mothers of Rain", which was and still remains one of my favorite Tangerine Dream tracks. Beyond that, there's a couple of somewhat interesting moments throughout the course of the album, but it's so scarce that I didn't know why I even bothered listening to the whole thing on several different occasions.

The year 1988 might well have been the peak for the new age genre, with the older baby boomers into their 40s and not wanting to be challenged more than by their workaholic bosses, stressed out spouses and lively offspring. If there was any justification for hitching TANGERINE DREAM to this label, it came in hitching them to the Private Music label, which specialized in mellow and inoffensive instrumental music. "Optical Race" delivers on both fronts, which is to say, it doesn't deliver at all.

Droning samey beats, likely programmed, unimaginative arrangements, minimal variety, and a smug unctuousness oozes from 2/3 of these grooves. Some tracks like "Mothers Of Rain ", "Sun Gate " and "The MIdnight Trail" sport buildups that promise an enthusiastic outburst but the ultimate delivery is shackled and disinterested. Others like the title cut and "Turning Off The Wheel" aren't even that good. In the end, the only completely satisfying cut is the opener "Marrakesh", thanks to an intriguing stratified structure and a series of melodic crescendoes. "Atlas Eyes" and "Cat Scan" are the only other true highlights in this disappointing release.

The only race here is from your chair to your turntable's cuing lever or the next button on the CD player. "Optical Race" is music for Lenscrafters.

After reading the other reviews for Optical Race, I had to add my 2 cents. I think this album rates much higher than 2 stars. I'll give it 4 stars. First of all the first track; Marakesh is a monster. This is one of the best TD tracks ever. If I could only play one track to anyone who has never heard of TD, I'd play this one. I love the progression to the best melody that always gives me goose bumps and then it recedes back to where is started. Very orderly and presice. One a hot summer day on the beach, I always have to listen to this song.

Most of the other tracks are good to very good, but they can't compare to Marakesh. Marakesh alone makes this a must have CD for any Prog Rock fan

If you love synthisizer, and you love 80's music, you'll love this album. If you love TD's Phaedra album and want more of the same, you won't like this album. I happen to love them both.

....and then there were two....

It's 1988 and the two survivors have left behind Jocelyn Smith, Christian Gstettner and most of all Chris Franke.

The album doesn't start badly: the opener "Marakesh" is a very good track. Hardly recognizable as a TD product if you come from the 70s, but surely good. Unfortunately what follows is not all at the same level.

"Atlas Eyes" sounds similar to Peter Bardens' "Seen One Earth": same sounds, similar chords and same period. Not bad for a thing released in the 80s, but quite uninteresting.

"Mothers Of Rain" is on the same line. Initially the melody is nice and let's imagine an ambient track to come, but when the drone drumming starts it's just new age of the kind that Pete Bardens was doing at the same time.

"Twin Soul Tribe" makes me think to Soft Machine's "Palace of Glass". Similar even though the SM track features a jazz orchestra. A nice track unfortunately followed by the ridiculous title track. Imagine Jon Anderson's South American dance songs just to have an idea..

At least "Cat Scan" is a Tangerine Dream track. Not one of the best, almost in line with what the band is now used to do on their soundtracks.

"Sun Gate" starts promising. No drone drumming, a keyboard's soundscape and a quite good piano. Even this track is very "80s" and quite new age, too. Edgar Froese places on it a nice guitar solo. Not a bad track, really. Probably the only one together with the opener which shows some value.

"Turning Off The Wheel" is another quite good track (for this period). It's a bit repetitive, and for Froese & co this is a good thing. Nothing special also this.

"The Midnight Trail" is probably influenced by the soundtrack works of the decade. It's a new age instrumental based on a trivial sequence of chords. Again Pete Bardens comes in mind.

The album closer is called "Ghazal (Love Song)" and I can't not call it new age. In that period I was effectively listening to new age and I remember a band called "CHI" (perhaps a duo if I'm not wrong) making very similar things. I quite liked them so I can't say that I dislike this track, but it has nothing to do with progressive electronic and with Tangerine Dream. It's also in line with Pete Bardens "Speed Of Light" (the album). In addition it fades out, that's something that I don't like.

I have rated Tyger with 3 stars so I can be generous also with this album, but please keep in mind that's not a proper Tangerine Dream release. Unfortunately this is what the 80s were made of for a lot of great artists.

However many Tangerine Dream albums have I got - I think I stopped counting when I got to 70. I first encountered them around the time of Alpha Centauri (a bit too "experimental", shall I say, for me), saw them come into focus when they signed to Virgin, saw them lose some of that focus after they left Virgin in the early 1980s. It was several years before I made contact again, having bought a Private Music sampler CD entitled "Some Music Is Private Music", which included tracks by such figures as Andy Summers, Eddie Jobson, Jerry Goodman - nothing second rate here. The third track was the longest on the CD - 8 Minutes 17 seconds of "Marakesh", from "Optical Race." Boy, were things back in focus, boy did they kick up the dust. I was back on board. I had to go back to catch up on "Underwater Sunlight", the first with Paul Haslinger.

There's a lot of snobbery around when it comes to Tangerine Dream. The supposed "Golden" Virgin years weren't all golden (Cyclone", anyone?) and the later years have too often been dismissed too lightly. "Optical Race" showed them starting to rock - no more "noodling and doodling" - it was loud and in your face.

I love this record. "Rubycon", "Stratosfear", "Force Majeure" had wonderful tracks, but I loved "Marakesh", "Mothers Of Rain" and "The Midnight Trail" as well. I carried on loving them well into the 21st century and the sudden loss of Edgar Froese affected me more than the loss of many of his contemporaries. Some of the later albums were better than others, but there was always something to inspire, something to make me want to listen.

"Optical Race" and its follow up "Lily On the Beach" are albums I often return to, both part of the wonderful journey that was Tangerine Dream.