SUN SET: 1973-1981

The Sun Set is the final testament of Klaatu. Through a progger's eyes only CD1 might be interested, as it contains outtakes and alternate mixes of their early singles and, most important in my own opinion, the first (final) full mixes of the Hope-album (Including Epilogue, which was dropped on the original release), never released in that way before. CD 2 is more pop based as it contains tracks from their last 3 LPs, although it's interesting, too. 2 live tracks (Older & Dear Christine) among with alternate mixes and basic tracks. It's hard to rate this box, 2 very different styles of music, I think, CD1 must have a 5 star (cos the Hope mixes), but CD2 only gets 2, so 4 stars might be right rating for both.

The next best thing to wholy new or newly discovered Klaatu tracks is this collection of singles, demos, alternate and early versions of most of the songs from their 5-album career. Always interesting and frequently as brilliant as the "proper" original releases. The booklets of history and facts rounds out the set - simply indispensible for any fan.

I miss these guys. I miss the sort of musicians who cared about the music. I miss the sort of musicians who didn't let their ego overcome their focus & dissolve talent into self indulgence. The original singles, the highlights from their career, the Complete Orchestral Hope, a classic if there was ever one. The remixes, the demos, the unreleased songs. Remastered, but best of all remembered as a standout in prog, a lost treasure that unlike some we see reviewed is not about being avant-garde, not about being accessible to a few, but a diamond meant to shine in the sun. The type of music you remember some of your idols like the Beatles, Moody Blues, Pink Floyd were putting out. Serious music, but serious about the quality, the content, the connection. Oh well, as they say, we still have the old albums to listen to.