Tangerine Dream - Underwater Sunlight

Underwater Sunlight is the second Tangerine Dream record with a clearly defined central theme-in this case, the ocean. (Their first concept album was the studio predecessor, LE PARC). One may speculate that the band's concurrent and successful soundtrack work inspired their newfound interest in making cinematic records. The song cycle opens with the two-part meditation "Song of the Whale," featuring digitally-produced "acoustic" guitars. This epic captures the feeling of the sun rising over the sea, the play of waves over the sand, and the gentle rollicking and deep moan of the eponymous mammal. Each of the succeeding tracks recreates an element of the hydrosphere: dancing dolphins, manta rays, scuba diving. Perhaps the most impressive track is the closing "Underwater Twilight," wherein lulling synths create the effect of sun-dappled waters, eventually giving way to an urgent, roiling tide. If you can't get to the beach, Underwater Sunlight will take you there.(RS)