exactly. for the most part, i have something nice to say about every track on this album. i'm not sure why i recall Sad Merlin's Sunday being horrid (so i decided to edit my original review of it), as it's about as decent as people described it. maybe i was remember Elf June or something, cause that track just seems weirder and weirder every time i hear it. it has an off putting feeling in it. i probably got them mixed up, cause i had once recalled liking Elf June significantly more.PurpleTwilight wrote:That would describe my feelings toward 'Tangram Set 1.' Back when TD was completely alien to me, I heard the first 3 1/2 minutes of this track on Youtube and thought it was great. After all, everybody seemed to be raving about this album. But when I got the album over a year later, I was shocked to find that most of the music fell way below first three minutes. To this day, I still consider Tangram a big disappointment.Erik wrote: 1. Towards the Evening Star is great, and i can tell why it ended up on future releases. i really thought i was gonna enjoy this whole album from that point.
I also checked out 'Towards The Evening Star' once during those early Youtube days. I don't remember being blown away by it, but I distinctly recall thinking the vocals were a weird turn-off. This is coming from a guy who also heard 'Rising Runner Missed By Endless Sender' and loved it. But when I finally got Goblin's Club, I immediately fell for this song, vocals and all.
...'Sphinx Lightning' never really appealed to me. Just as 'SL' seemed like the odd-track-out on Hyperborea, 'Sad Merlin's Sunday' was in the same boat. It's probably the most experimental track on the album, and I simply couldn't get it for a long time. The track's length certainly didn't help. But it's grown on me a lot, though, so I actually don't mind listening to it now. It's not in the "worst" category, but it still remains my least favorite part of the album.
I've always been fond of 'On Crane's Passage' and 'Elf June And The Midnight Patrol.' In fact, I did a cover version of both those songs as a medley. Listening to it closely, I've come to realize that 'On Crane's Passage' resembles a straight-faced take on 'Graffiti Street.'
I agree with you about the drums on 'Rising Haul In Silence,' though. While I like the song, I think it could've used a better snare.
I find 'United Goblin's Parade' very listenable, but otherwise it's one of the weaker tracks. I don't mind Edgar's guitar solo, but I'd prefer he use a more distorted lead effect than the limp-sounding one he used. The same criticism goes for 'Haze Of Fame' on the previous album. But I agree about the beat on 'UGP.' Sometimes I think Edgar should've left most of the percussion duties to Jerome.
Sad Merlin's Sunday should've left out that first couple of minutes. the lone acoustic guitar just didn't work for me. after that it's nearly a worthy redemption. definitely not my least favourite moment on the album, but i still think it's a cold ending.
i really liked the vocals in Evening Star. i found them to be pretty tasteful. the vocals on At Darwin's Motel (which i KNEW i'd like more and more), are growing on me. both the woman's voice, and the ethereal backing vocals. and i can't stop thinking about the very start of that tune. it's so nice.
some stuff on Goblin's Club i just can't sit through. i can hear a good album in there somewhere...but there are just too many things i'd alter! this is the first time i think i'd ever do that to a TD album (although i'd replace Catwalk on TOB with it's 15 minute counterpart......i'm not kidding!).
so at their worst, they can still shine. that's remarkable. this is like the Mr. Gone of Tangerine Dream.
i'm at least glad i revisited this album. i can't say it wasn't worth it. when i was making my earlier review, i heard much more good in it than i did last year (which was my first time ever hearing it). ah the power of TD