Views From A Red Train
- epsilon75
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How about compositional credits?? All given to Edgar??Nero wrote:Cool review, Mr. Cox! You simply came to the point, compliments!MrCox wrote:TD's music always has been "travel music" of sorts. Think about the journey through the Mojave desert ("Mojave Plan"), a journey through different parks all around the world ("Le Parc") or a certain "Jungle Journey" on "Turn Of The Tides".
"Views From A Red Train" must be considered as TD's latest chapter in musical journeys, but something has changed. This album has a sense of urgency to it, the different tunes are highly energetic and joyful (at least partially).
Edgar's work throughout the year 2007, especially the various EPs, was dominated by fast sequencers and strong melodies. These can also be found on "Train". The ten tracks are (with only one exception) full of fast rhythms. Additionally Edgar Froese added a lot of electric guitars to his recent sound, reminding the fans of some 90's material. But one shouldn't worry, this album works perfectly in the tradition of TD's last years.
"Carmel Calif" is a great opening track. I can't believe that it was added to the album at the eleventh hour as it fits perfectly to the rest of "Train". Here you can find more of these vocal samples Edgar already used on many tracks last year. The guitar parts were recorded by Edgar and Bernhard Beibl.
"Passing All Signs" is very quiet, almost in a "Seven Letters From Tibet" kind of way. This composition doesn't fit to the album, although its melodic nature makes for a nice change. It's like the calm before the storm.
This storm breaks loose in "Leviathan". It's already a classic TD track, including drums played by Thorsten Quaeschning. The guitar parts by Bernhard a pure rock, some very strange solo parts for a TD release. The fact that Edgar borrowed the bass line from the "Dragnet" theme doesn't weaken the overall impression.
"Hunter Shot By A Yellow Rabbit" is the most complex tune on this album. More female vocal samples and a emotional melody soon make room for more heavy rock guitars, this time played by Edgar. Iris adds some great percussion to this track.
"Nutshell Awakening" - a tribute to Stephen Hawking - works equally well. It's one of the compositions that start quite gently but soon build to a haunting theme. Edgar often composes repetetive structures adding layer upon layer of rhythms and melodies. This one is a perfect example for this technique. Once more Iris Camaa adds electronic percussion and Bernhard Beibl plays guitar.
"One Night In Space" is in fact the recording from last year's EP, but Edgar added more synth parts, Thorsten plays drums and Bernhard plays electric guitar upon the backing track. This composition still is one of my favourites from TD's recent output.
On "Serpent Magique" you can hear another gradually building composition. Here Linda Spa is credited with horns and sax, but I think her contributions were mixed into the background, at least these instruments are inaudible.
With "Lord Of The Ants" the album reaches almost 90's territory, but Edgar's guitar parts are much more focussed and melodic. Linda's sax once more is credited but unfortunately can't be found in the final mix.
One of the highlights of the album is "Fire On The Mountain", maybe the fastest composition TD ever recorded. The only complaint may be caused by sound effects that already featured very prominently on "Summer In Nagasaki". The urgency of these compositions is nowhere as prominant than here. Iris is featured once more on percussion.
"Sound Of A Shell" is the perfect album closer. It contains two very different parts that fade into one another very slowly. Here Edgar and Bernhard play acoustic guitar together.
Over a year ago TD announced this album as Edgar Froese's forthcoming new solo album. Now it mutated into the new TD album, but somehow it still feels like a solo record. The other musicians (especially Bernhard Beibl) add to the foundation Edgar laid with his synth and piano parts, but how much they changed the recordings can't be told without insight into the recording process. TD announced that "Train" would be the "most rock orientated album they ever did", but this description may lead to false expectations. Many elements are typical for Edgar's work, but overall the music is much faster. Many tunes may not hold your attention immediately as they're very complex. It may take repeated listening to really get to know them. The sound of 2007 still can be found here, but the guitar solos change the overall mood, so the "rock" classification is not wrong entirely. It's a great album, not only for train journeys.
Rating: 9 / 10
Red Train is an album you will never leave in the drawer!
Can't wait for these discs to reach the other side of the pond. Probably still have weeks to wait.bigmoog wrote:well, I now have all my new TD goods
late last night, I listened to PD and VeeeeeeeeeFart in the manner of BM, ie...on headphones, in darkness....awaiting the music
I have no desire at the moment to write streams of [un]conscious thought on the music, suffice to say that now, 2008, Edgar still has (did he ever lose it?)...surprising creativity and focus.
Actually, the music touched me quite deeply, helping me forget life's current trials.
When I listen again, perhaps I will write further, but the TD star continues to shine brightly through veils of the mundane.
Long live the music.
rattymouse wrote:Can't wait for these discs to reach the other side of the pond. Probably still have weeks to wait.bigmoog wrote:well, I now have all my new TD goods
late last night, I listened to PD and VeeeeeeeeeFart in the manner of BM, ie...on headphones, in darkness....awaiting the music
I have no desire at the moment to write streams of [un]conscious thought on the music, suffice to say that now, 2008, Edgar still has (did he ever lose it?)...surprising creativity and focus.
Actually, the music touched me quite deeply, helping me forget life's current trials.
When I listen again, perhaps I will write further, but the TD star continues to shine brightly through veils of the mundane.
Long live the music.
Did he ever lose it? Relisten to 92-98 and report back.
I am excited by all the reviews and look in my mail box each day with great anticipation. I have to pay 11 Euros for shipping and it boggles my mind at that price that they are not shipped by express courier.bigmoog wrote:rattymouse wrote:Can't wait for these discs to reach the other side of the pond. Probably still have weeks to wait.bigmoog wrote:well, I now have all my new TD goods
late last night, I listened to PD and VeeeeeeeeeFart in the manner of BM, ie...on headphones, in darkness....awaiting the music
I have no desire at the moment to write streams of [un]conscious thought on the music, suffice to say that now, 2008, Edgar still has (did he ever lose it?)...surprising creativity and focus.
Actually, the music touched me quite deeply, helping me forget life's current trials.
When I listen again, perhaps I will write further, but the TD star continues to shine brightly through veils of the mundane.
Long live the music.
Did he ever lose it? Relisten to 92-98 and report back.
well, Tom, for me, Vee Fart and Purple Diluvial in particular, sum up my current enjoyment and expectations of TD (and I remind the TD fan, that I consider the TD renaissance to have begun with J D'arc and that the nineties output is a matter of taste...), EF and TD during 2007-2008 are producing music that talks to me and I find it satisfying and worth repeated listenings. I would recommend both releases, but my preference is for PD at the moment as its interesting music - and thats what I expect from Edgar....mindmusic