Tangerine Dream - Madcap's Flaming Duty
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.99 You Save: $15.99 (67%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $4.97 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Madcap's Flaming Duty
Free Music Review: And Now for Something Completely Different
Hit: 5 Stars
As other reviewers have pointed out, Tangerine Dream is an old and very prolific group that has put out over a hundred albums that span a wide range of musical styles. With masterpieces like Phaedra and Rubycon under their belt, sometimes it's just too easy to dismiss the rest of their work as uninspired product, ignoring quality work that doesn't fit the same mold.
Occasionally TD does a "voice" album, and, truth be told, I tend to skip the lyrical songs when they crop up in my player. They aren't necessarily bad, but they're not what draws most people to TD. Imagine a well-known comedy actor doing a "serious" role and you more or less get the picture--even if it's done well, you can't help but think it's just wrong.
However, with Madcap's Flaming Duty, I was shocked to find myself putting the album on repeat play. First off, the instrumental work here is impressive, but it's really the lyrics and the vocals that make this album work. The lead singer's voice complements the instrumentals rather than overpowering or distracting from it. Furthermore, the lyrics are some of the best I've heard (and yes, I know they're adapted from old poetry and literature).
The album reminds me at times of some diverse groups, such as VNV Nation, Peter Schilling, later Depeche Mode, and Peter Murphy. It's soulful stuff that's quite inspirational, with only the occasional "muzak" flourish to make you wince (TD seems to struggle sometimes to avoid sounding like elevator music, especially when a saxophone is involved).
"Shape My Sin," "A Dream of Death" and "Lake of Pontchartrain" really stand out to me as the best songs on the album. These are catchy songs that I've been unable to get out my head since I first heard them. I was really surprised to hear such fine voice work from a TD album; it makes me wonder if they haven't found a new direction--though I also find their new "Blue Dawn" album a new high point in their career. It's exciting to be a Tangerine Dream fan again!
Free Music Review: 40 Years And Still Relevant!
Hit: 5 Stars
Having been a long-time TD fan (25+ years), discovering lyrics was initially disconcerting (in particular having listed to "Tyger" many years ago) and I opened this CD up with little in the way of expectations. I was also leery of a CD that was to be dedicated to Pink Floyd's Syd Barret, not quite sure what direction the disc would take musically. I love Floyd, but with Syd, it's all up for grabs. Imagine my surprise that, along with excellent sounds, the lyrical content was actually quite refreshing. This CD contains really good songs, built around selection number 7, Lake Of Pontchartrain, which manages to expand TD's horizons, yet maintain the same feelings of old. The best song on the album, number 5, A Dream of Death, is an amazing song that shows TD has not lost a step. I think the important thing here, concerning this CD, is that after 40 years, TD is still concerned with their long-term fans, but just might have opened the door to a more mainstream audience, which would open up wonderful music to a brand new generation. This is most definately a "must-have" for any collection.Free Music Review: If only 6 stars was possible
Hit: 5 Stars
I am not surprised to see reviews ranging from 3-5 for this album. As more reviews come in, I expect to see a few 1's from the die-hard fans. However, in my humble opinion, this is the best TD release since the early 80's and contains my new all time favorite track (Burning Babes Reality Song). This song was previously released as Earthlings Reality on Metaphor with keyboards from Edgar and Thorsten and vocals from Chris. I think this new singer is absolutely great and could easily fit into any group. I do admit something that helps boost my score and that is that I have the DVD/CD version of this which contains videos for the whole album...some just performance and some combination of performance and artistic. If noone else has seen the video, it is nice to see the group perform as there is a lot of guitar, cello, violin and analog drums. Even Thorsten sings on a couple of tracks.
I really hope people give this a chance. I don't like every TD album and certainly not everything they do with vocals but this is a 5 star gem easily.
Free Music Review: A Shining Diamond In The Field Of Art
Hit: 5 Stars
This is one ambitious project which demonstrates how the art of poetry and art of music can merge into a fresh, splendid package.
There is a special elegance that the music by Edgar Froese and Thorsten Quaeschning bring to the poems from the 17th & 18th century, with the lyric adaptation by Bianca F. Acquaye. The vocals by Chris Hausl are outstanding, with One Hour Of Madness the best selection.
Within art, there is a constant continuum which will remain timeless. By merging two major elements, Tangerine Dream places the legacy of Syd Barrett in its proper historical perspective, while producing their own masterpiece of sound.
Free Music Review: Get the DVD/CD release of it.
Hit: 5 Stars
Mindblowing, mystical, romantic, and brilliant. Can't stop playing it. Been a big fan since 1981... this one is one of my favourites ever and is easily the best TD album with vocals.... easily.