Has to be taken on its own terms
rubidium84 | Ft. Calhoun, NE | 09/02/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Every once in a while, someone releases a record that is so bizarre in it's musical approach that it has to be regarded and analyzed apart from everything else. This is one of those albums; it belongs in the same vein as Amon Duul's "Psychedelic Underground" or King Crimson's Beatclub performance. All of these records share an experimental approach that is so outlandish, so extreme, that it can barely be described as having any structure to speak of. Its weirdness is so colossal that any previously made assumptions have to be thrown to the wind, and the music taken on its own terms.
This record starts out with some quiet, unsettling noises produced on organ and treated cello, and joined by some muffled drums. This section gives kind of a general feel for the whole album - somewhat unnerving, eerie and unstable. The rest of the record merges these sounds with all kinds of spooky passages for acidic guitar, organ, and VERY heavy-handed drumming. In particular check out the drumming at about 10:00 and following on the second track - Keith Moon fans take note of the FORCE exhibited here. It's almost as if the drums had to be put in the back of the mix or they would overpower everything else. And those guitars - Craaazy.
In the end of the third track, the guitar develops a problem - it makes screechy feedback if it isn't continually struck. So the guy just keeps striking it. End of problem. This is typical of the musical approach taken throughout the album, where the instruments seem to be more in charge of the music than the musicians.
Don't expect this to be anything like other TD records - it's totally different. A very weird disc, but sure to find some fans."
Alucinante despegue
jaimeurrutia | MIAMI, FLORIDA United States | 03/28/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Grabado a fines de 1969, el debut de Tangerine Dream es un alucinante viaje, 35 minutos de confusión, locura, experimentación y libertad sonora. Se pueden percibir ecos de Pink Floyd en algunos pasajes, pero aquí no hay canciones, sólo desenfrenados desarrollos instrumentales que parecen provenientes de alguna remota galaxia.La guitarra de Edgard Froese es uno de los ejemplos más claros de lo que debería ser una sonoridad ácida, sus incursiones en Journey through a burning brain y Cold smoke ya por si solas justifican el valor del álbum. Klaus Schulze y Conrad Schnitzler por su parte hacen una notable labor en la batería el primero (gran potencia) y al cello y violin el segundo. Sumado a esto los efectos electrónicos y el órgano le dan al conjunto una densidad y riqueza aun mayor. La calidad sonora deja algo que desear, pero las condiciones de la epoca y la experiencia del grupo tampoco eran las más adecuadas.Tangerine Dream jamás volvería a hacer algo similar a Electronic, aunque hubiese sido muy difícil igualar la energía y originalidad aquí presentes. Un verdadero monumento a la experimentación y una de las páginas más perturbadoras del fascinante libro de la sicodelia y del rock de vanguardia."
Sweet, sour and juicy- just like a tangerine should be
B. E Jackson | Pennsylvania | 11/27/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Is there a way to define THIS band? I thought Pink Floyd and King Crimson were the only experimental bands from back in the day. Nope, these guys are just as insanely atmospheric and experimental. Sometimes when I listen to this music I get the feeling they were influenced by the Doors more quiet and atmospheric bits, and of course, the legendary Piper at the Gates of Dawn album. It's like a blend between the two. An album well worth checking out. I get the feeling the band Yes was listening very closely to what these guys were doing for their Tales from Topographic Oceans album. You want music that's completely warped and in its own little world? You found the right album. Electronic Meditation it is. Either this is one of the most talented bands ever created, or I just care too much about experimental ideas in music."
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1