Customer Reviews

Exit

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Hello, fans of Tangerine Dream!
I will reveal the mystery of Russian words in "Kiev Mission"! Of course, I like the album because of this track.
The humour of TD is the following: for English or German speaking listener these words sounds as spoken by Russian girl, while for Russian listeners (girl speaks-whispers-sings with the strong foriegn acsent) it sounds as Russian words spoken by friendly foreigner.
The words are the following:

Continents
Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, America
It`s - the Earth
Past tense
Present tense
Future tense

World is we are

To understand
To ask
To answer
To talk
To start thinking
Transmission...

To associate (to communicate) with the friends...
To exchange opinions...
Infinity
An intelligent being
Talking, dialog
Continents:
Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, America
It`s all - the Earth.

As you see there were nothing poltical in these words. Only idea of global unity which is close to people of different countries.
I think that Russian words were choosen because they sounded exotic for the Western ear and beacuase of their rhythm.

By the way, electronic music by TD and Jarre was popular in the USSR in time of cold war... And still is popular in Russia.
As to cold war itself -
We lived the same normal usual every-day life as you but with our own problems. For the people in the state which lost more than 20 million lives in the 2WW - nearly every family lost its relatives - every talk and wish of possibility of new world war was a kind of sacrilege. And Chrustchev didn`t told: "We will bury you". He spoke vulgar Russian-Ukrainian slang, so English translation was complete fake (the meaning was lost in translation). He meant that (in his humble opinion:) USSR will win competition with America and would show much better results of development. So don`t think of political stupidity of the cold war - simply enjoy the music!

Also I recommend you best albums by TD:
Le Parc (1985)
Underwater Sunlight (1986)
Goblin`s Club (1996)
Try also "Jeanne D`Arc" (2005) and interesting solo albums by former TD members (though music differs from TD sound still it`s dynamic and interesting):
Christopher Franke "The London Consert" (1992) and "Celestine Prophesy" (1996), Paul Haslinger "World Without Rules" (1996).

Exit(1981). Tangerine Dream's 14th(?) studio album.

All throughout the 70s, Tangerine Dream had been experimenting the limits of various keyboard, pedal synthesizer, and sequence effects in order to create very atmospheric musical soundscapes. They weren't meant for everyone, but each album proved to be an interesting listen for those who could get into them. Every release would have very few, yet lengthy tracks, and that aspect didn't really change much over the years. Phaedra(1974) and Rubycon(1975) were the peak output of those type of TD albums, and served as the first real means of gaining a cult fanbase. Then Force Majeure(1979) saw the group beginning to incorporate rhythms into the music, making it more accessible to new listeners. This culminated in 1980's Tangram, which was the last album to feature one giant album-length song. Shortly thereafter, the band created the soundtrack to the movie Thief(1981), shortening the lengths of each instrumental and making them more numerous, and this would carry over onto Exit.

This album is the first one of theirs to have more than four tracks, and most of them rarely go beyond 5-6 minutes. Unlike most of the TD output to be released throughout the 80s, Exit carries a dark, futuristic feel to it, and it can be felt all over the album. White Eagle(1982) continued to explore in the same vein, and Hyperborea(1983) went for a dark ambient sound with cultural references, but Exit probably pulled the theme off the best during this period. Much of the style is brought over from their Thief soundtrack score and given its own breathing space on Exit. High-reverb keyboards had begun to be incorporated heavily into the melodies, and although sounding VERY 80s and maybe coming off as cold to some people, it works for its warish 1984-type atmosphere.

And speaking of future wars, the first track 'Kiev Mission' delivers 10 minutes of melodic rhythm mayhem. The story here is that this track was written as a protest statement against the Cold War in Russia, and many copies of this album were sold throughout the country to get the message across. It starts out with a few bangs, then slowly the synthetic drum beat pulses in and carries a powerful theme around, shortly before an unnamed Russian girl vocalist whispers her plea against a world war. This is where the whole "protest" theme came from. It doesn't end as strong as it starts, but the final part of Kiev Mission shouldn't be skipped. 'Pilots Of The Purple Twighlight' is run without any drumming, but carries an awesome melody that repeats for several minutes. 'Chorozon' is a bit more upbeat and positive sounding, and could easily fit on White Eagle. I love the title track's slow, dark, and powerful bass synth that plods along, complete with a memorable keyboard line and rain sound effects. Then 'Network 23' has a surprisingly non-dated techno drum sequence which sort of serves as a prototype for some 80s and 90s techno. Finishing off Exit is the outstanding 'Remote Viewing' which goes through a few different transitions in its 8-minute span. The first 3 minutes or so has sort of a dark soundscape reminding the fans that TD still held onto their 70s era to an extent, and wouldn't abandon it completely over the next couple of albums. 80s TD may be somewhat less complex than TD's earlier material, but it still was very well produced. Then the song ends with a lighter section that repeats a number of times.

Replayability: medium. Enter the Exit often (pun intended).

Although the album's length is slightly less than 40 minutes, each of Exit's tracks is of high quality, and so I'll give it 5 stars. It ended up being my fifth purchase (of many!) for TD, but I would say that it makes a good starting point if you're first getting into 80s TD. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. The sad thing is that EVERY ALBUM IS OUT OF PRINT! Even the remasters! So don't expect to find these in the stores. Unless you know of a used cd shop that happens to get TD albums from time to time, you're best off ordering them online. There are many, many albums, but thankfully most all of them can be found for very cheap. Either version of the album works. There are no bonus tracks, and the volume difference is only minimal, so buying any of them is ok.

See also:
-Tangram(1980)
-Force Majeure(1979)
-White Eagle(1982)
-Thief(1981)
-Hyperborea(1983)

Most of the tracks on this 1981 Tangerine Dream album are fairly short and of a more lyrical nature than can be found on most of the band's earlier releases. Generally, this is gentle and introspective music that demonstrates something of a new care and purposefulness in its crafting than is exhibited in earlier works. In many ways, this album marks a turning point in the band's output, bridging the large-scale, freer-form works of their past with the more meticulously honed and technically impressive works that were to follow.

The most substantial item is probably the 9-minute `Kiew Mission', an early 80's (cold war) anthem for world peace, featuring the whispering voice of an uncredited Russian actress delivering its central message. As well as its Russian words, the track incorporates a number of jaunty tunes from a variety of sweet-voiced synthesisers, together with a simple, yet effective, sequencer pulse.

The majority of the album's other tracks are shorter numbers. `Pilots of purple twilight' is the sort of sequencer and synth ballad that was rapidly becoming a Tangerine Dream trademark and for which their music was in such demand as film soundtrack material-simple yet potently hypnotic throughout its entire 4-minute duration. Of similar length, `Choronzon' is built around a steady percussion and sequencer beat with more lyrical synthesiser and guitar layers, while the only slightly longer `Exit' is reminiscent of the relentless brooding music of their previous (soundtrack) album, "Thief". This track's stately main theme rides over a relentless beat, accompanied by some glittering running arpeggios. A nice touch too is the processed rain sound that underlies the track's closing few minutes. `Network 23' is another short and simple exploration of boppy rhythms and synthetic textures, with nothing to tax the unadventurous listener but of sustained interest for all that.

The album closes with a slightly lengthier (8:20) masterpiece, `Remote viewing', which is similar in structure to works on the band's "Stratosfear" album. This track starts out very moody and somewhat unstructured. Out of its slowly unfurling growlings, however, a sweet flute-voiced synthesiser suddenly emerges to sing a heart-rendingly lyrical tune, accompanied by a classically minimalist sequencer pulse, which steadily rises in intensity to carry the slowly developed melodic elements through to their gentle yet captivating conclusion. This track confirms the album's main message: one of hope for peace, harmony and tranquillity throughout the world.

The sound on the disc is excellent but it is woefully short at less than 37 minutes total playing time. It is this poor value that drops this release one star overall in my ranking.

I first heard this album on the radio late at night back in 1981 and was immediately hooked. IMHO, this album contains the 2nd best TD track - Remote Viewing. The second half of this track is eclipsed only by "Love on a Real Train" from the Risky Business Soundtrack. I'll never forget driving alone (and far from home) through the snow covered mountains in New Mexico at dusk as this song started playing on the car stereo. The solitude and eeriness on that two-lane road fell in on me in a way that I've never felt since. Although I'm not a musician, I think this album showcases the beginning of TD's most creative techniques of "layering" the simplest of tones and rhythms on top of each other to form a "song" that is different at each listening. Sounds fade in and out only to reappear later in the track in a different form. This effect is even more pronounced on the Soundtrack to the film Miracle Mile released in 1989. Sadly, that same effect is almost completely gone on newer albums (e.g., 220 Volt, Tyranny of Beauty) where, apparently without Schmoelling and Franke to restrain him, Froese has resorted to whining guitars to fill in time in otherwise decent compositions. The 1980's however, contain TD's most original material, of which Exit is surely among the best.

I really do enjoy this 1981 release even though 80's tone colors and textures are starting to creep in around the edges - perhaps even moreso than on the excellent Tangram (1980). Fortunately, there is enough of a brooding and organic feel to Exit that it all balances out in the end. The six tracks on the album are pretty short by Tangerine Dream standards and range in length from 4'07" to 9'18". Although there are no weak compositions on the album, I do have my favorites and they include Kiev Mission, the title track Exit, and the closing track Remote Viewing.

Although the music on Exit is clearly different than the music from their peak during the mid-1970s, it is still pretty darn good and is certainly one of their better albums from the 1980s. If you enjoy this album, it is likely that the wonderful Tangram would also prove enjoyable. If you have not explored the 1970s material, start off with Rubycon (1975). Many fans (and critics) feel that it is the high point of their entire recorded output.

"Exit" is quite a haunting and dark album, while at the same time conveying the sense of travel through a thrilling and dimly lit passage of infinite proportions. The opening track, "Kiew Mission", with its slow, deliberate beats and the mysterious whisperings of some russian women, will plaster itself to the innerworkings of your mind long after its completion. Unfortunately this wondrous track is followed by a rather mediocre one (by Tangerine Dream standards) called "pilots of purple twilight", which, although maintaining an interesting and driving melody, is far too repetitive, especially considering its 4:19 length. "Choronzon", possibly the most thrilling and upbeat song in existence, is another story entirely. Right away its fast-paced beat will draw your attention, and when that wave of synth layers and sounds begins, it'll hit you right between the eyes. Throughout its just over 4 minute length, my mind is to this day awed by its power and majesty. "Exit" is arguably the darkest track on the album, and conveys a sense of impending danger throughout its 5:33 length. "Network 23" gives the listener a sense of traveling through an intricate expanse of microchips and circuits, and has a beat that could be mistaken for a modern techno tune. Although this one is fairly simple, it's still endlessly entertaining, and ages well. The final track, "Remote Viewing", begins with flowing yet ominous synth noises and slowly evolves into a more upbeat track with some very pleasant flute-like meanderings and precisely calculated synth stabs. This song has most definitely been enhanced with time, and it is a fitting ending to yet another Tangerine Dream masterpiece. "Exit", although seemingly of a reduced scope when compared to their other works from that period, is by no means to be underestimated.

"Exit", recorded in the spring of 1981, is the ultimate electronic journey to the center of the earth. This is the first full-fledged studio album of the new era in Tangerine Dream's history, market by the creative presence of Johannes Schmoelling as a member of the band. This album is very moody and atmospheric, thought out from the beginning to an end as a structured symphony, where each composition is a perfect complement for another. Yet again Tangerine Dream proved that their inventiveness is unlimited, and that they still hold a primary pioneer role in the genre they created almost a decade prior to the release of "Exit".

There are six movements on the album. The bell, or rather, the gong - begins the musical journey, and within the first minutes, you are sure that this is a work of fantasy. 'Kiev Mission' - random words recited in Russian tick and trick you into believing that this will be another "Cyclone", albeit with female voice setting the pace. Yet that is far from true, and you are left off in a cold marsh at the border of Okefenokee, in the midst of Tolkien-like landscapes. 'Pilots of Purple Twilight', a rhythmic talkative synthesizer ostinato then comes to charm you into entering the cave in the mountain range, while the sun is setting down. The feel of nostalgia is interrupted when you begin your adventure, in the dynamic rhythm of 'Choronzon'. Layers of the earth pass by, and finally you come out on the other side of the globe, and 'Exit' the fantastic land in between. Whatever you have found there shall remain with you for the end of your days. Swinging with the melody of 'Exit', you return home, the vessel of travel rocking while the stars shine, only to be interrupted by the violent, yet distant thunderstorms of the wild forties, the wild seas of 'Network 25'. Having returned, the whole trip comes back to haunt you in your mind's eye, the 'Remote Viewing' as it is. Pure eight minutes of fantasy close this album, but fear not, it shall stay with you forever after.

"Exit" is perhaps the single most musically innovative album of the 1980s. Ever since it has always been at the height of popularity, the ultimate bestseller. Why that is so, I can't explain beyond what I have written so far. Try to read a moody book, especially if it's an adventure book, be it fiction or nonfiction. Then you will experience the power of this album in full.

Several soundtrack albums by Tangerine Dream feature motifs from "Exit" - in fact, this short recording of below forty minutes set the mood for the upcoming three years, being however the greatest achievement of the 80s. From this point on, the road was downwards... All in all, this album is a masterpiece, excellent start for the beginners in the Tangerine world.

If you are not familiar with TD, or are new to TD, you have a lot of exploring to do.

It is hard to believe that (June 2009) this album is listed as not available -- Exit is a notable, strong album from the phase where TD developed a lot of sequencer-based songs - they would develop some string of notes to be played repetitively, often handling the rhythm in place of bass/drums would do in popular music. This style of setting up the rhythm section allowed mood to be incorporate with the rhythm - the type of sound chosen could vary, varying the mood, and the sound could be modified - flanged, compressed, and other effects done to the rhythm, allowing it to seem alive, moving, pulsing, and adding great dimension.

On top of that, TD would add some other music lines: also repetitive, or gentle washes of sound, or lead/solo type, etc. TD was always strong on this dimension back to their very early days as exploratory psychedelic rock band, with extended flute or guitar jams.

Exit might be TD's strongest sequencer-based album. Very memorable melodies, strong emotive moods created.

This phase of their career followed the more exploratory, free-form, trippy, meandering, improv-feel, lengthy-song phase, where Phaedra might be a stand-out example.

Some people preferred that early exploratory phase, and were upset as TD moved into this new phase, basically to never look back. Other people like this sequencer phase more.

Give each a try. Exit is a great example of the sequencer phase. Also, good examples are the soundtracks to Risky Business, and Firestarter, although Risky Business is only half TD songs - Risky Business has of course the classic "Old Time Rock and Roll," per the tidy whitey Tom Cruise scene, and also Jeff Beck, Prince, and others. But TD's "Love on a Real Train" itself, from Risky Business, is widely recognized as a stand-out TD song, maybe rising above its soundtrack status.

TD fans tend to enjoy the soundtrack-like quality of the albums generally, letting your mind follow its own movie, with soundtrack scored by these leaders of electronic music, whether the music was made specifically for a movie or not.

I don't rate this a "5" but I still think this is one of TD's best. The song titles are great although some of the songs don't sound as good as the titles (e.g. Pilots of Purple Twilight). As with some of their other albums I think certain songs become overly repetitive at times. I think some of their songs would sound better if they would stop doing one thing over and over or put it in the background so you can hear the sounds around it that do change. Still, there are good songs here. "Network 23" sounded great to me at first and it's still good but I've come close to listening out on it. My favorite song on this CD is "Remote Viewing". It lasts 8:20 and makes this album worth getting more than the other songs. Similar, overlapping synthesizer and mellotron sounds make this song. I rate it as one of their best.

Unlike their previous albums, "Exit" doesn't reveal the entire musical range of this band. The TD staff concentrates on shorter, more melodic and commercially oriented soundscapes that are a bit trite for a once pioneering band. Just remember their prog-rock album "Cyclone", as they've included lots of acoustic instruments and even vocals. Despite the robotic, cold and distant feel of "Exit", TD are able to create an atmosphere of considerable emotional depth. Highlights are the thrilling "Kiev mission", the dreamy title track and the more up-tempo "Choronzon". Overall, this album rather runs in the category of Jean-Michel Jarre's "Equinoxe" with its lightweight synth sounds. As a new fan to "old-style TD" you'd be better off with buying some of their '70s work or the outstanding compilation "Dream Sequence".