Customer Reviews

Mars Polaris

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This was, strangely enough, my first Tangerine Dream album, and as a result I was instantly hooked on to them, resulting in purchases of many of their albums (all of them from TD's early years, even though Mars Polaris is from 1999).

Tangerine Dream beautifully orchestrates the many different moods and whims of space travel in Mars Polaris. Beginning with a great bath of synthesizers and witty but uncomplicated melodies, they do not forsake the importance of keeping music interesting.

While Tangerine Dream has exhibited their classic style from their early years -- toothy saw leads, crunchy and melodic electric guitars, and most importantly a sense of eccentricity -- they definately show signs of improved craftsmanship. The theme is science fiction, and it sounds like science fiction. Their tracks stray a little too long sometimes, but they -never- seem annoying or repetitious.

The best tracks, in my opinion, are especially 1) the adventurous "Comet's Figure Head", with it's ambient noodlings, dreamy synthesizers, a moody but noninvasive guitar, 2) "Deep Space Cruiser", which might as well be the theme to an exploration-theme sci-fi film -- the early-TD type guitar is especially juicy, 3) "Outland (The Colony)", a very experimental, chiptuney, fast-paced track, and 4) "Astrophobia", which begins like a slow horror film but becomes a modern-inspired opus (some parts sound like Aphex Twin's percussion or Nobuo Uematsu's beautiful videogame orchestration).

Recommended for, well, Tangerine Dream fans, science fiction nuts, space enthusiasts, electronic music fanatics, NASA scientists, and--why not--ordinary people. A very brave and unique album, indeed.

Once again the father and son duo that now makes up Tangerine Dream has brought we the faithful another sonic departure from day to day reality. The track layouts flow perfectly from one to the next, with the first track being a full ten minutes long. (Not that this is anything new, as all long time TD fans know) The music is based around the mars lander project and is blended to evoke the feeling that man has proven that you can achieve anything if the mind is open. The style of the music is not from any specific area of their long careers, but a highlight of all styles to bring their work into the next century, even though they were always years ahead. Basically, for old fans, or even someone entirely new to Tangerine Dream, this is one hell of a way to get started. Enjoy.

Being a long-time fan of T.D. I have heard them change and morph and progress throughout their career. Edgar and Jerome Froese have come up with one of the best efforts of the band's catalog. There are a lot of sounds and textures that have not been on any T.D. release throughout time and some familiar ones as well. The tracks are very interesting and leave me wanting more!!! There are some cuts that sound like the early 80's style and some that, unbelievably, don't sound like anything that the band has ever released!!!! Which is saying a lot about their creativity because they have released some 65 + albums in the 30 years of their existance. When Edgar's son joined the group, I was very aprehensive with his known tastes firmly entrenched in Heavy Metal. He is a big fan of Van Halen and Joe Satriani. But his influence has been great for the band and I hope it continues for a long time. Mars Polaris is a must for the long time T.D. fan and probably a good document to start with if you are new to them.

Well, this was one of the surprises for the end of 1999. This new CD by TD. It's one of the best CDs the group released so far. Just hear the first track (and play it loud) and you know what I mean. Take on the headphones (this Cd is made for headphones) and fly away....

I like the "old" Tangerine Dream (TD)! That is: The nice synthy sound - it does have rhythm, but no drums... TD used to be like that. Now, it seems, drums become more and more important. I myself play The Drums, but stil don't like it with TD. Sorry. If you buy this CD, be aware that you will get Drums with the synths.

"Mars Polaris" is a journey into space itself, and it definitely shows the progression of Tangerine Dream, the electronic master artists that were doing it before anybody really new what their classification of music really is. It is fresh, invigorating and upbeat, perfect for getting the juices going at the beginning of the day. The photo of the planet Mars on the cover with the gold embossed lettering of "Mars Polaris" and "Tangerine Dream" is almost worth the price alone, showing surface detail that astronomers still admire. The list above is missing track one called, "Comet's Figure Head" as shown on the 1998 TDi release. At first I thought I was listen to the Patrick O'hearn album, "Ancient Dreams (1986)." It starts out slow, building momentum on a solid bass-drum rhythm, picking up tempo with a catchy beat, until it docks with track 2, "Rim of Schiaparelli" and thrusts forward into high gear.

From there, track 3, "Pilots of the Ether Belt" moves on course, and sounds highly reminiscent of the 1970's Tangerine Dream (Phaedra, Rubycon), but with the permeated, solid rock beats and the keyboard magic of Edgar Froese and his son, Jerome. The sequencer software was accomplished with help from Steinberg Cubase VST/Audio. Do not judge this album instantly; give it time. Do not expect the same thing from track to track, as the syncopated rhythms and gleams of chords will work on your attitude to improve your mood. An excellent, unmatched album, full of life, especially track 6, "Spiral Star Date (Level P_)". Intro tracks 7 and 8, "Mars Mission Counter" and "Astrophobia" the tempo takes a retro burn, slowing down, with pleasantly creepy waves of synthesis and pangs, a flashback again to the older TD days such as "Zeit." What a musical accomplishment this is! Track 10, "Dies Martis (TransMercury)" gently touches down, laying off the drums and bringing the glorious sounds of synthesized clarinet and strings to the foreground, preparing to separate you to the world again. If you're like me and want to feel that you're actually in the 21st century, then get this album today, and listen to it from beginning to end, then hit the REPEAT button (if you have the time). Ensure you get the album with all 10 tracks on it. Not to be missed! Top recommendation.

Tangerine Dream has done a masterful job of creating a specific mood that lends itself to the topic of space exploration. But as good as some of the tracks on this CD are (tracks 1, 9 and 10 are excellent), the overall collection can become a little monotonous at times.

If you're a TG fan, this one may take some time to grow on you, but it's definitely worth a listen.

I've been a TD fan for a long time now and have seen them grow and grow. Not only do they consistently come out with new music, but the music is great as well. Edger and Jerome Froese continue the odyssey that was begun when Jerome joined the band. I was very disappointed when Haslinger left the group (Optical Race, Melrose, Lily on the Beach). I should have known better. Mars Polaris, is the type of music that will get you to move your feet and dare to dream. It is not space music, or anything cold and mechanical. It's alive with feeling and emotion. If you are daring enough to experience the Tangerine Dream, then this would be the best place to start. By the By, the first and fifth track are my favorites. TD continue to be innovators and architects of sound design.

I'm actually a huge fan of T.D.'s '70's and 80's material and never really got into anything beyond "Live Miles"- but I have heard all their albums. This album attracted me because the cover reminded me of their earlier album Zeit which was a heavy cosmic exploration and I was curious to see if they could pull it out again today. Nope. However I wasn't totally disappointed the music here is very much like a soundtrack to a detective mystery film and moves along quite well. The opening track is the best as the middle two or three tracks are very tedious and some what bland. If you were hoping for floating dreamy space music it ain't here it's all strong industrial beat driven stuff. Over all its a pretty good album- though, just once, I wish they had turned off that damn drum machine and floated in deep outer space for awhile. The music just stays in "Gotta rush" mode all the way through. What happened to stopping and floating in mysterious space- where's the damn fire!?

I, too, love Tangerine Dream's work. I have already had the chance to recommend this album to a stranger at an expensive music store. But, if you enjoy this album, let me direct you to Tomita. His works - Kosmos and Mind of the Universe - are also great. TD- thanks for another great album.