One reviewer here stated that Vangelis is comparable with Mozart and Beethoven and that he is the greatest composer of the 20th century. I cannot quite agree. Vangelis' composing does not have the degree of sophistication and refinement that the music of Mozart and Beethoven possesses and also the music of the best contemporary "classical" composers, such as Stockhausen and Boulez, just to name two (the former is also one of the most important pioneers of electronic music, see for example his Gesang der Juenglinge (1956) and his Kontakte (1960), and has created awe-inspiring synth music as well, such as Oktophonie (1991) - all those works are available at stockhausendotorg).
Vangelis' composing in Albedo 0.39 at times - though not always - seems a bit coarse, abrupt and when it comes to changing keys, simplistic (there should be more modulation involved) and a tad too obvious (arguably, the often maligned but in my view also great Chariots of Fire, for example, is more mature in that respect). However, his craft of composing is sufficiently impressive such that in connection with his truly awesome musical inspiration, the sheer power of his sonic imagination, his innovative and soulful use of synthesizer timbres that also convincingly adapts these to the diverse development stages of a given track, and his astonishing mastery of a great variety of styles, Albedo 0.39 becomes a fantastic and rewarding musical experience. The combination of above virtues also clearly makes Vangelis one of the greatest electronic musicians.
Moreover, the sometimes found simpleness of presentation of musical ideas (there is enough satisfying complexity as well) by Vangelis in Albedo 0.39, rather than routinely being just simplistic, often seems to be the result of a superior musical mind that knows that appropriate simpleness may be useful to achieve a powerful emotional effect. The abrupt transitions in the music and the few sudden - even slightly naive - outbursts of climactic, glorious or triumphant tone (on occasion they seem to symbolize moments of star birth) can be remarkable in their power, and sometimes the sudden transitions in the music appear to be sheer genius, such as in the track Alpha.
In this track of moderate tempo Vangelis paints boldly with broad brush strokes, presenting the original theme and counterthemes to it in varied and inspired ways, with the variations either dropping in suddenly or - towards the end - smoothly developing from the previous material. The large-scale build-up of this 6-minute-piece, easily going from a quiet, delicate "ticking clock" atmosphere to a glorious, free-flowing climax, is simply astonishing. The build-up is able to sustain unerring, powerful directionality over the very diverse stages, a directionality that is also aided by the seamless integration of the solidly driving rock rhythm into the tension of development.
As pointed out by others, the range of music on Albedo 0.39 is huge. You get quality synth-pop (Pulstar; I love those chords ferociously slashing through the music), jamming jazz-rock (Main Sequence), fast-paced and exciting power-rock where the thematic/melodic lines chase with high speed (Nucleogenesis 1 and 2), the above somewhat ballad-like Alpha, and a few quiet pieces that partially show Eastern timbral and melodic influences (especially Freefall).
I agree with many reviewers here that Albedo 0.39 is a most important and impressive work of electronic music. And highly enjoyable to!
Two more points:
1. Vangelis' playing of drums and percussion, though maybe not wizzard-hand virtuosic, is musically just awesome. Always the right and amazing accents.
2. Two passages in Albedo 0.39 sound eerily similar to two highly characteristic and very unique passages in Bruckner symphonies, in # 3 (1889 version) and in # 6 (1881). Compare Pulstar 2'52" to 3'10" with 11'08" to 11'28" in the Karajan recording of Bruckner Symphony 3, 1st movement and Nucleogenesis Part I 5'13" to 5'36" with 13'26" to 13'52" in the Karajan recording of Bruckner Symphony 6, 1st movement (the magical soft treatment of the main theme in horns and trumpets leading to the final climax of the coda; the Karajan recordings of these symphonies are the ones to get).--Are these striking similarities pure coincidence?
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Albedo 0.39
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Albedo 0.39
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MP3 Music, September 1, 1976
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Vinyl, Import, January 28, 2022
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Track Listings
| 1 | Pulstar |
| 2 | Freefall |
| 3 | Mare Tranquillitatis |
| 4 | Main Sequence |
| 5 | Sword of Orion |
| 6 | Alpha |
| 7 | Nucleogenesis, Pt. 1 |
| 8 | Nucleogenesis, Pt. 2 |
| 9 | Albedo 0.39 |
Product details
- Product Dimensions : 5.62 x 4.92 x 0.33 inches; 3.84 Ounces
- Manufacturer : Sony Legacy
- Original Release Date : 1997
- Run time : 42 minutes
- Date First Available : December 7, 2006
- Label : Sony Legacy
- ASIN : B000000NN4
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #448,188 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #748 in Electronic Rock
- #6,072 in New Age Meditation Music
- #26,720 in Dance & Electronic (CDs & Vinyl)
- Customer Reviews:
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Customer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
147 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2003
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2007
This 1976 release by Vangelis appears to be a favorite amongst prog fans. As a prog fan myself, I enjoy this album because the music is very exciting, with great drumming (by Vangelis no less) and dramatic flourishes on banks of synthesizers. Although the dreamier, spacier tracks on Albedo 0.39 are enjoyable, I also like it when Vangelis "cuts loose".
Vangelis plays all instruments on this album including bass guitar, various bits of percussion, a full drum kit, xylophone, and a gamelan (on Freefall). Although the exact synthesizers used on the album are not listed, it is likely that (based upon what I have read) some combination of the following synths was used: Minikorg 700S; Roland SH-1000; Roland SH-3A; Korg 800 DV; ARP Odyssey; and ARP sequencer. Non-synth keyboards that I can make out include pipe organ, Rhodes electric piano and acoustic piano. Found sounds on the album include recordings of the speaking clock and conversations between astronauts taken from the Apollo moon landing.
Vangelis really plays up a storm on this album and his drumming is pretty darn good. As is the case with his albums, he creates a number of moods with loads of keyboards and synthesizers - speaking of which, his use of sequencers on this album reminds me somewhat of Larry Fast's work around this time.
The nine tracks on the album range in length from 1:45 to the excellent two-part Nucleogenesis suite (a little over 12 minutes in length). The moods on the album range from deeply haunting and sad to vigorous and frenzied - I have to say that Albedo 0.39 features a bit more in the way of dynamic contrast than some of his other albums. Overall, there is a sweeping, almost symphonic grandeur to this album that I find very appealing (Alpha is a fine example of this).
All in all, this is an exceptional album by Vangelis and is highly recommended along with Opera Sauvage (1979) and Chariots of Fire (1981).
Vangelis plays all instruments on this album including bass guitar, various bits of percussion, a full drum kit, xylophone, and a gamelan (on Freefall). Although the exact synthesizers used on the album are not listed, it is likely that (based upon what I have read) some combination of the following synths was used: Minikorg 700S; Roland SH-1000; Roland SH-3A; Korg 800 DV; ARP Odyssey; and ARP sequencer. Non-synth keyboards that I can make out include pipe organ, Rhodes electric piano and acoustic piano. Found sounds on the album include recordings of the speaking clock and conversations between astronauts taken from the Apollo moon landing.
Vangelis really plays up a storm on this album and his drumming is pretty darn good. As is the case with his albums, he creates a number of moods with loads of keyboards and synthesizers - speaking of which, his use of sequencers on this album reminds me somewhat of Larry Fast's work around this time.
The nine tracks on the album range in length from 1:45 to the excellent two-part Nucleogenesis suite (a little over 12 minutes in length). The moods on the album range from deeply haunting and sad to vigorous and frenzied - I have to say that Albedo 0.39 features a bit more in the way of dynamic contrast than some of his other albums. Overall, there is a sweeping, almost symphonic grandeur to this album that I find very appealing (Alpha is a fine example of this).
All in all, this is an exceptional album by Vangelis and is highly recommended along with Opera Sauvage (1979) and Chariots of Fire (1981).
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2014
I am comparing this "remastered" edition vs the previous ones,
If you do not own any copy, get one.
The Good, (better tonality Equalized, but I can do that myself listening to the previous CD edition)
The Bad:Sounds like They Added artificial overall software\electronic reverberation on everything,
detrimental to the high notes, sounds too tststs...
reverb nice for stereo imaging, but yet wrong artificial and tiring.(I can add my own reverb if wanted to thank you very much)
The Disappointment: I expected a remaster to come out of a better generation analog tape
with better dynamics, less distortion, and better clarity, this sounds like they took the previous CD release and put it
on the bench for a little tweaking just to call it a redo...I also expected a proper jewel case and at least the same reprint of the original artwork, instead of an icon on a flip open caddy with no inner booklet. even the words "remastered by Vangelis" seem to be a last minute forgotten thing they slapped on the shrink wrap as a sticky label. I own the previous Vinyl and CD releases, why am I paying full price 3 times for the same music and less artwork? where is the value?
If you do not own any copy, get one.
The Good, (better tonality Equalized, but I can do that myself listening to the previous CD edition)
The Bad:Sounds like They Added artificial overall software\electronic reverberation on everything,
detrimental to the high notes, sounds too tststs...
reverb nice for stereo imaging, but yet wrong artificial and tiring.(I can add my own reverb if wanted to thank you very much)
The Disappointment: I expected a remaster to come out of a better generation analog tape
with better dynamics, less distortion, and better clarity, this sounds like they took the previous CD release and put it
on the bench for a little tweaking just to call it a redo...I also expected a proper jewel case and at least the same reprint of the original artwork, instead of an icon on a flip open caddy with no inner booklet. even the words "remastered by Vangelis" seem to be a last minute forgotten thing they slapped on the shrink wrap as a sticky label. I own the previous Vinyl and CD releases, why am I paying full price 3 times for the same music and less artwork? where is the value?
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2014
I wish they wouldn't meddle with the original covers of the CDs, but at least the original cover is inside the digipak, with complete liner notes. The CD sounds superb. Best mastering ever.
This is for those who want to check this new edition. I won't discuss the music itself, since many others have already done it. If you're unsure which edition of the album to buy, this is the one.
This is for those who want to check this new edition. I won't discuss the music itself, since many others have already done it. If you're unsure which edition of the album to buy, this is the one.
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2020
Makes me so mellow I lie on the couch and vegetate!!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2017
Replacement of a long lost vinyl record. Not so much a fan of the jazzier parts, but the good parts are very good.
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2014
Classic Album restored by the Master himself.
Too bad it's not on SACD or DVD-A or Blu-ray. How hard can that be for the big V?
See all the 5 stars for content below
Too bad it's not on SACD or DVD-A or Blu-ray. How hard can that be for the big V?
See all the 5 stars for content below
Top reviews from other countries
F. M. Havicon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally out in remastered form, worth the wait
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2014
Looks like Vangelis is the last of the major artists to be bitten by the remastering bug - or as we music collectors call it, the "let's make them buy our CDs all over again" bug.
Some artists have even done that several times, shame on them.
The music here is known and loved throughout the world, being the first album Vangelis puit out that didn't have a pile of duff tracks on it. His previous work had revolved very much around the "one good track for every two dubious tracks" ethos, and many of his albums preceeding this one were something of a task to listen to. He got everything right with this one, and even included cover art that made you want to buy it.
So, the big question is: is the remastering any good? can you actually tell any difference? I listened to this and the previous version by swapping constantly between two different sets of headphones and there was certainly a noticeable difference, this one has more presence and an enhanced sense of reverb, though fortunately not the insane level of reverb Genesis recently attributed to their re-remasters. Vangelis has kept his foot off the pedal of enhancement temptation! It's the same music only much refreshed and the tinkly bell strings actually send shivers up your spine as they used to do in 1976.
Some artists have even done that several times, shame on them.
The music here is known and loved throughout the world, being the first album Vangelis puit out that didn't have a pile of duff tracks on it. His previous work had revolved very much around the "one good track for every two dubious tracks" ethos, and many of his albums preceeding this one were something of a task to listen to. He got everything right with this one, and even included cover art that made you want to buy it.
So, the big question is: is the remastering any good? can you actually tell any difference? I listened to this and the previous version by swapping constantly between two different sets of headphones and there was certainly a noticeable difference, this one has more presence and an enhanced sense of reverb, though fortunately not the insane level of reverb Genesis recently attributed to their re-remasters. Vangelis has kept his foot off the pedal of enhancement temptation! It's the same music only much refreshed and the tinkly bell strings actually send shivers up your spine as they used to do in 1976.
19 people found this helpful
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John
4.0 out of 5 stars
Packed well.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2020
Got 10 vangelis albums now and I have to put this at number 10. Good, but not the best.
Amazon Customer
2.0 out of 5 stars
Pre-scratched
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 19, 2020
After very carefully taking the LP out of its liner, I was disappointed to find several scratches on both sides. They are audible. There is quite a lot of crackle as well.
It is like getting a second hand LP. Not what you expect at this price.
It is like getting a second hand LP. Not what you expect at this price.
One person found this helpful
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Paul
5.0 out of 5 stars
quick delivery
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 9, 2021
sounds great
paul griffiths
5.0 out of 5 stars
Time travel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2019
Very old vinyl but well looked after, music really takes me back.
paul griffiths
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2019
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