Tangerine Dream ‎– Force Majeure

'Picture disc'? What does that even mean with a cd.

After the hiccup that was Cyclone, Edgar Froese and Chris Franke decided to go on without Steve Joliffe, although they kept Klaus Krieger behind the kit. If anything, Force Majeure is a more intensely 'prog rock' sounding album than Cyclone was, almost over the top in its classical-esque melodies, guitar solos and rich full-band sound. As someone whose interest in what is traditionally considered prog rock ends around 1972, I'm saying a lot by describing Force Majeure as one of my favourite Tangerine Dream albums.

There is a furious energy running from start to finish on Force Majeure, and a feeling that every note matters. From the ugly, jarring discordant intro, through to the chunkiest sequencer line the band recorded, and the somewhat jovial outro, the title track is searing with energy and propulsion. It helps that, compositionally, each section of the piece is very strong. The track is the first of the band's extended suites which became more commonplace in the 1980s, featuring various often related themes interlocking into a 10 minute+ piece (as opposed to the more freeform approach the group's earlier side-long efforts). Given the album's style, there's surprisingly little focus on improvised solos compared to many other TD records here - indeed, composed melodies and strong chord sequences are given as much prominence throughout.

Second on the album is the record's shortest piece, Cloudburst Flight, which gives Edgar chance to show off his skills on the electric guitar. The extended solo here is less to my taste than the rest of the album, but more than made up for by the beautiful melancholic outro. The album ends on one of the truly experimental pieces of the post-Baumann era, the proto-techno of Thru Metamorphic Rocks, with a modulating distorted synth sequence running at full pelt. One of the most intense, urgent sounding pieces the band ever recorded, it's a fitting ending to this, probably the most extreme and heavy going of all Tangerine Dream albums.

Watch out; Side A of my copy is a mispress which includes Dutch folk songs from an unknown artist. (See: http://www.voices-in-the-net.de/force_majeure.htm). The label on y copy does not have Gema (as pictured), but unstead Stiemra and in black (instead of white) font.

Is anyone elses mislabeled? Mine are flipped. Really tripped me out before that side one had one song but with a distinct break in the middle, but side 2 had 2 songs that went into eachother seamlessly.