Customer Reviews

Direct

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It has taken me years to finally force myself to buy this Vangelis title. Back in 88 I was 18 and sampled this album only remembering that I thought it was not Vangelis-sounding enough (whatever that means). Now, almost 15 yrs later, these tracks sound crisp and fresh with plenty of artistic vitality. In retropsect this truly, like most of Vangelis' work sounds ahead of it's time and even timeless for 2002 (or fits in perfectly). Many of the tracks sport an almost Bladerunner movie theme quality with an edge of Cosmos without being pretentious or slipping into the elevator muzak category ! This is definitely a Vangelis project worth keeping for many listens to come...The album is rich in synthesized orchestrations with one opera-like tune without sounding cold or contrived. Direct is pure genius !

Released in 1988, Direct has to be one of Vangelis' best and most accessible albums. He infuses elements of classical, rock, funk and jazz into his electronic style, squarely placing it outside of normal "new age" boundaries. On one of the best tracks, "The Will of the Wind", pan flutes are used against a slow, funk beat -- we can see that he has beaten Enigma to the punch, along with all the other abusers of the pan flute sound. Upbeat, streetwise songs like "Rotation's Logic" and "Ave" are balanced by gentle, classical-esque pieces like "Glorianna" and "The Oracle of Apollo", not to mention the ominous, portentious operatics of "Message". "Intergalactic Radio Station" serves as a terrific closer with an intergalactic DJ signing off (or on), no less!

Anyone remotely curious about Vangelis -- looking beyond his movie scores -- should not miss this album.

I've been a Vangelis fan since the early eighties and must say "Direct" is my personal favorite. This album rocks but also has some absolutely beautiful pieces as well. It's not so much ambient as it is a work of themes. If you have just found Vangelis, be sure to get this one. A true classic.

I am listening to Direct right now. It is the first album I've bought categorized as "New Age", though I doubt there is any category the music of Vangelis can fit without bursting through the stitches. Direct evokes powerful images and can best be appreciated through a surround sound system lounging back with your eyes shut. At times during listening I became frightened because I really believed I was suspended in mid-air.

This album is classic Vangelis and perfect in every aspects. The other Vangelis I'd recommend are <Cosmos> and <L'Apocalypse Des Animaux>.

...words usually used at the close of classical performances, here used to convey the neo-classical elements in this album. Is that Rachmaninoff we hear at counter 2:30 in Track 5 ("Dial-out")? "Polyester Landscape, Nylon Oxygen..." ...words used by the DJ of the "Intergalactic Radio Station" cut conveying the forward-looking statement of this album - it says that the future of music is a blending of all styles, and that the results will be wonderful. The good news is that there is something for everybody, and I dare say it's a cross-over album for music listeners of virtually all influences. It has been 13 years since the golden year of electronic music - 1988 and "Direct's impact" (all puns are intentional) is still with us. My only concern is when is Vangelis going to approach the polished genious of this work again? There must still be room for universal appeal. (Sidebar: The only thing that fixes this album's date to the late 1980's is the artwork, which, taking an educated guess, was created on the then cutting edge "Deluxe Paint" software of the era, maybe even on an Amiga computer.) You must buy the CD version to get the last cut: "Intergalactic Radio Station" - you must. Oh... By the way, "It's been a beautiful morning. What a morning!" "...Great morning. It's a great morning man..."

Because I've found my self forced to give them away or just worn them out. I've played this album for friends that don't anything with a genre "New Age" in their collection, and feeling like i'd be taking somthing from them afterwords, have either kindly left it be hind or have outright given it 'directly' away. The title explains the album, no wistfull hidden meaning here. The music is present, up front and very easily listened to, over and over again. To quote the last song, Intergallactic Radio Station: Hi John! Let's break some rules! It's been a beautiful morning, man!

V opts for a more conventional, even rhythmic, sound with this collection--and just nails it. Every track resonates with a remarkable brightness and energy. Crank up the old CD and listen to the magnificent "Ave"...there are no words. I've purchased copies of Direct on LP, cassette and CD...just in case.

With DIRECT Vangelis went to a more musical style including more rock elements. The highpoint of this style became eminent in 1492. After that Voices and Oceanic gave way for his forth change after Aphrodites Child. Direct has phenominal brilliance and transparancy. Eclectic until the last second!

Now days most people are able to simply program the best tracks into the memory of their cd players. My past experiences with many, many Vangelis albums are some tracks are really not to my taste while others are simply fantastic. However, for Direct, I put away the programmer--there's not a bad track anywhere on the entire cd. It is a rich tapestry from beginning to end--evoking images/sensations from ancient mythology to the futuristic space age...a 2001 space odyssey...