Tangerine Dream Transsiberia

Advertised as an “original motion picture soundtrack” it looks like this one was composed for a Russian documentary series. Have to admit that the first few times I heard this it left me stone cold. Not knowing it was designed to accompany visuals, I couldn’t believe that TD would bother to release an album of such mind boggling blandness. It was the early tracks I’d concentrated on though, and I didn’t have the volume turned up enough. Putting both to rights and having heard it further it’s not nearly as bad as I first thought, and some of the latter pieces are superb.

‘Yaroslaw Station’ is the appropriate starting point and immediately it’s evident that the rhythmical nature of train wheels on tracks is going to be an overriding element in the music. Busy sequential detail backs a heavy percussive rhythm. Wispy synths occasionally pierce the incessant rhythmic backdrop, but they are sketchy and not in any way designed to distract from a feeling of endless motion. ‘Smoky Karlow’ is a laid back chugger with very simple chord based thematics, while ‘Siberian Lights’ reintroduces a heavy beat and the combination of bass sequencing and some choice synth vox make this a more enjoyable excursion then the raw elements would initially lead you to believe.

‘Jenissei River’ features a moody main theme picked out on a whimsical lead synth with breathy pads to add texture. ‘Baikal Sunrise’ packs an incessant rhythmical punch which grinds its way through the piece with ambient synth details, while ‘Samowure Jure’ tones down the rhythmical angle allowing synth and piano based themes more room to grow and there are some impressive melodies on display here. ‘Ulan Udt’ continues the lush melodic stance superbly, while ‘Chingan Night’ is a real beauty with subtle themes caressing fine textural pads. ‘Russian Soul’ is another moody affair, and ‘The Golden Horn’ rounds off with a plodding rhythm and uninspiring synth effects. Overall this is patchy in places but seems a grower. (GG)

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