Customer Reviews

See You Later

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

 

 

"See You Later" is in a completely different vein from vastly better-known Vangelis works such as "Opera Sauvage" or "Chariots of Fire". Perhaps only the track "Memories of Green" is widely known, and that mainly because of its inclusion in the "Blade Runner" soundtrack.

"See You Later" was released when synth-pop was freshly emerging as a respectable genre; the album reflects some of those contemporaneous influences. At the same time, it looks both backwards, towards Vangelis's prog-rock "666" and "Earth"-styled roots; and forward, to works like "Direct" and "The City". Perhaps more than on any other album, Vangelis sets loose a quirky sense of humor here, particularly on "Not a Bit, All of It", a frankly surreal piece which may [or may not?] address consumerism and/or the fashion industry.

"Multi-Track Suggestion" is the standout on the record (aside from "Memories of Green", which again is probably familiar to even casual listeners from the "Blade Runner" soundtrack). "Suggestion" gives off hints of Kraftwerk, and perhaps a few other late-1970s/early 80s synth pioneers; but it also radiates a sumptuousness and sensuality which were then, and still are, rarely found in electronic music. Vangelis's gifts for timeless melodies, and his widely-noted integration of acoustic and synthetic textures, was rarely better either before or after "See you Later".

This album would likely annoy or dissapoint someone new to the music of Vangelis. However, if you've already heard all the so-called "classic" Vangelis albums, and find yourself wanting more, this is a great place to start.

Those fans of Vangelis who are more familiar - or at least more comfortable - with some of his lush film scores or the gentler thematic suites (Voices, Oceanic, El Greko) might be surprised to find the content on this album. In some ways it bridges the early Vangelis, a founding member of the European supergroup Aphrodite's Child who did concept albums like 666, and the Vangelis of the late eighties who produced the amazing improvisatorial "Direct", and pounding electropop rhythms in the Blade Runner end titles. His side career of composer/producer for a huge range of European pop stars is perhaps also a pointer to this album, a largely unbuttoned and humorous view of a dystopic (dyspeptic?:-) ) future.

A highlight of the album is the original version of the very very very beautiful piano piece "Memories of Green". Supposedly director Ridley Scott's favourite piece of music - he used it in "Someone to watch over me" and "Blade Runner."

None of the other pieces are collected elsewhere, and should be sampled for informing further discoveries of Vangelis' 35+ year career at the forefront of musical discovery.

At first listen, the concept behind this album is difficult to grasp since most of Vangelis' works have little to do with social commentary or global issues. Also, this album is a transition into new territory with hints of jazz and electro-funk. The real gem is the track Memories of Green with it's piano and bleeping-like siren sounds.For all the listener knows the effects could probably be a life support machine chirping away. It sets the mood for a melancholy western-saloon theme in a futuristic world( it almost feels out of place yet offers a tranquil atmosphere against the other compositions). Memories was featured in the sci-fi film cult hit BladeRunner in reference to the replicants in the film with implanted/artificial memories.The social commentary on Not A Bit, All Of It is a quirky look into the excesses of the world of glamour and glitz, consumerism,commercialism, and the media (materialism in Hollywood ?).The rest of the music has an almost half-finished studio feel or outtake (it is not an over-the-top orchestrated album at all).

See You Later feels more like an E.P. (mini-album or "experimental project")! It is also a rare find at most c.d. shops (import). Any Vangelis fan should check this title out...

At one time, extremely obscure but so deserving of more recognition. It's among my most favorite Vangelis works. The tracks are distinct songs rather than an epic composition. Novice Vangelis listeners will find the entire CD easy to like; fans won't be disappointed.

This 1980 album was something of a departure for Vangelis in that it features a significant amount of vocals throughout, again featuring Jon Anderson. Never critically acclaimed, this album is mostly a concept album, seemingly a pessimistic and satirical look at a dystopian future that almost foreshadows Blade Runner, with its notions of technology, noise, pollution, alienation, overpopulation, etc. Most of the songs are funk and jazz-oriented, with the notable exception of the "Memories of Green", the gentle and haunting piano piece later featured in Blade Runner. One brief, humorous moment -- "Not a Bit - All of It" -- which sharply skewers glamour and commercialism, is reminiscent of The Beatles' novelty "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)". This is certainly not Vangelis' best album, but it's still very enjoyable.

While many might save the Vangelis movie scores for their memories, this is one album I would never part with.
While many might think "Chariots of Fire" when thinking of Vangelis... I think "See You Later".
These tracks evoke cinematic grandeur and "important" pop, rock, fashion, and electronic visions ... that make you pay attention!
_Memories of Green_ ... sweet, poignant and timeless.
The Bass and percussion lines in _I can't take it anymore_ might just wake you up out whatever doldrums you might be nursing, and the vocal pleadings will Sooth _and_ Haunt you.
_Not a bit-All of it_ .... you Must hear this one, trust me! Humor, savvy, fashion, irony... please take a drag of this sophisticated and charming satire! ... and might even entertain your teenager at home all cantankerous and bored n stuff. lol
_Suffocation_ (is this an actual soundtrack from a film?... I don't know) but it is like a 9 minute cinema for the ears, provocative, some familiar classic and grand "Vangelis" elements and possessing some delicacy as well.
_See you later_ is not only pretty and dramatic, it has a fantastic complex hook, possessing of some grandeur and some fun elements... a great guitar solo line, this is one memorable track ... and while its vocal finale is deeply plaintive it is heart-filling.
Ok, that's enough, you probably get the point... um, I like this album! ;o)

While the current price option is rather daunting at the moment.... put it at the top of your wish-list, by all means.

The music of Vangelis can be described as a film soundtrack without the film. In many cases his music has been used for film even though that was not its original intended use. When people hear "Heaven & Hell" they immediately think of Carl Sagan's celebrated tv series "Cosmos", or "L'Enfant" they think of Peter Weir's oscar winning "The Year of Living Dangerously" starring Mel Gibson. Now having heard "See You Later," Vangelis proves once again how cinematic his music is.

"I Can't Take It Anymore"
-A very nice little electronic song. Sounds like a machine successfully breaking free.
"Multi Track Suggestion"
-A somewhat downbeat tune. Not one of the album's better efforts.
"Memories of Green"
-A Classic!!!! A sad,reflective,sentimental and haunting piece. One of his best ever. Ridley Scott used it brilliantly in a scene where Rachel and Deckard come to terms with their humanity or lack there of in "Bladerunner"
"Not A Bit - All of it "

-A very quirky but catchy song. Sounds as if it came out of a TV broadcast from the world of Terry Gilliam's "Brazil".
"Suffocation"
-A nice 1980's electronic song. A bit dated but good nonetheless featuring vocals by Jon Anderson.
"See You Later"
-A story within a song without having to use lyrics. A piece that gives you a sense of movement then climaxs to a calming revelation. Sort of experimental but doesn't necessarily succeed for me. But I admire the effort.