Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Track Listings
| 1. Pulstar |
| 2. Freefall |
| 3. Mare Tranquillitatis |
| 4. Main Sequence |
| 5. Sword Of Orion |
| 6. Alpha |
| 7. Nucleogenesis (Part One) |
| 8. Nucleogenesis (Part Two) |
| 9. Albedo 0.39 |
Product Description
VANGELIS Albedo 0.39 (1976 German 9-track CD reissue of 1976 album picture sleeve ND74208)
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Albedo 0.39 was released in 1976 and finds Vangelis using a mix of synthesizers, percussion and a variety of other instruments. Some of the more melodic tracks achieved quite wide exposure at the time, most notably "Alpha", which was used on the American television series "Cosmos".
The album sounds very much of its time, especially with regard to Vangelis's use of the Apollo astronauts' voices in "Mare Tranquilitatis" and the British Post Office 'speaking clock' at the end of "Pulstar". Some of the tracks have an experimental feel and don't really work, most notably "Main Sequence". However, the "Sword of Orion" has a poetic elegance and the two "Nucleogenesis" tracks, very much 1970s rock but with unusual use of the organ, still sound quite exciting.
The narrator of the atmospheric "Albedo 0.39" track is not credited and some people assume it must be Vangelis himself, but apparently it was the album's recording engineer.
In summary, an interesting album but not as good as Vangelis's "L'Apocalypse des Animeux" or "China".
The album sounds very much of its time, especially with regard to Vangelis's use of the Apollo astronauts' voices in "Mare Tranquilitatis" and the British Post Office 'speaking clock' at the end of "Pulstar". Some of the tracks have an experimental feel and don't really work, most notably "Main Sequence". However, the "Sword of Orion" has a poetic elegance and the two "Nucleogenesis" tracks, very much 1970s rock but with unusual use of the organ, still sound quite exciting.
The narrator of the atmospheric "Albedo 0.39" track is not credited and some people assume it must be Vangelis himself, but apparently it was the album's recording engineer.
In summary, an interesting album but not as good as Vangelis's "L'Apocalypse des Animeux" or "China".
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Greek keyboard wizard Vangelis was one of the pioneers of popular electronic music, before he became famous for film soundtracks such as 'Blade Runner' and 'Chariots of Fire', for which he won an Oscar. ALBEDO 0.39 was released at the height of his commercial success during the late 1970s, and remains one of his most focussed and appealing albums. Not only does it avoid the classical pretensions of his earlier works, but also the tiresome experimental dabblings of subsequent efforts. ALBEDO represents the composer at his most 'electronic'. The album can best be describes as 'Space Rock', with each of the eight tracks having an astronomical theme and a cosmic atmosphere. There is little in the way of the orchestral simulations that have typified most of Vangelis' work, and we are left with a series of very precise pieces full of lively fuzzy basses, jangly fills and synthetic solos. This does not undermine the composer's celebrated sense of melody, however, as ALBEDO is loaded with catchy tunes, and every piece shows lots of musical interest. The standout track must be 'Main Sequence', a blistering assault of stunning percussion work and dazzling keyboard virtuosity. This is electronic rock/fusion at its wildest, punctuated by sudden bursts of melody amidst a crashing cacophony. 'Sword of Orion' is one of Vangelis' most beautiful and soaring pieces of electronic music. 'Pulstar' is instantly recognisable owing to its frequent use on television programmes, while the album concludes with the title track. This features the man himself, reciting a series of cosmic facts about the earth as it travels through space. Not that musical, but a fascinating science lesson for those who are interested! For Vangelis fans, ALBEDO 0.39 is essential listening. Fans of electronic music with an astronomical theme should also check out Brian Eno's 'Apollo' Soundtrack.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It is astonishing that this record was released in 1976. 'Freefall' is comfortably 20 years ahead of its time and is reminiscent of Boards of Canada's quieter moments. Ignore the unhinged and unrepresentative 'Main Sequence'; the scary 'Intestinal Bat' and the title track are far superior.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The end, recurring voice 'Albedo 0.39'
Albedo 0.39 was the third LP I bought of Vangelis's. It never struck me as his best but certainly one the most interesting. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Tim Kidner
Vangelis on heat
This has to be one of Vangelis best ever albums, it never let's up and builds up nicely to Main Sequence, slows down a little then hits you again with the two part Nucleogenesis,... Read more
Published 15 months ago by The Pez
Rating 0.6
Having listened to a lot of German electronic music from the 1970s, I decided to take a punt on Vangelis who I recall charting comfortably with this during the same era. Read more
Published 18 months ago by D. J. H. Thorn
Vangelis at his best
This i considor to be one of Vengelis's best albums, sorry cd, shows my age and that i have album tucked away. A must for Vangelis fans
Published on 11 Mar 2009 by A. G. Moore
Classic Prog Rock
I bought this album in late 1976 after reading Geoff Barton's glowing review in 'Sounds'. The dramatic melodies, swirling synthesisers and electronic percussion really conjure up a... Read more
Published on 12 Feb 2009 by John F
Yeah!
I agree with almost all that Mike Slade in his review (other than, apparently, it's not Vangelis going the title track vocal). Read more
Published on 17 Jan 2009 by Vaughan
classic 70's electronica
Produced in the 70's before he really hit the big time, this is a slice of what made Vangelis the master of synth rock. This is up there against Tomita and J.M. Read more
Published on 21 Jun 2008 by Baldman
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Music > Easy Listening
- Music > Pop
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
