| Track by Track Review
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CD One
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Drastic Plastic
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The Original Stereo Mix
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Electrical Language
This cut is electronic as it starts, feeling very much like 80s music. The guitar breaks are elegant and melodic. They are both tasteful and tasty. The same can be said of the keyboard breaks. This is a cool tune that is a great opener. |
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New Precision
A bit more rocking, this is a killer track that has quite a helping of New Wave built into it. I am particularly fond of the guitar work on this. For some reason I'm reminded of Devo just a little on this. |
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New Mysteries
This tune has a little bit of a funky edge. Roxy Music seems a valid comparisons in some ways. |
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Surreal Estate
Another classy cut, this has a new wave meets prog approach. It gets into more symphonic prog zones as it moves forward. There is some whistling at the end of this. |
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Love in Flames
Here I'm again reminded of Devo, this time even more so. This is up-tempo, to the point of being crazed. It's also very classy and dramatic. |
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Panic in the World
Now, this makes me think of something David Bowie might have done in the 80s or 90s. It has more of a proggy edge, though. It also gets decidedly New Wave. |
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Dangerous Stranger
A cool rock and roll element is on the menu here. This is a playful tune, but far from the proggiest number on show here. |
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Superenigmatix (Lethal Appliances for the Home with Everything)
There is a playful, theatrical edge to this cut. It's bouncy, New Wave based and a lot of fun. |
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Visions of Endless Hopes
This is mellower, proggy and intricate. It's also quite beautiful, making me think of Genesis just a little. |
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Possession
Punky, this is a New Wave based tune that is artsy and fun. |
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Islands of the Dead
I dig the island vibe to this cut. The number is classy with a bit of a dreamy edge. The guitar work is so tasty. |
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Bonus Tracks
A & B sides of single |
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Released as Harvest HAR 5135 Sept. 1977
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Japan
With an Asian vibe to it, the lyrics here are dated, but the cool prog meets new wave groove is fresh. |
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Futurist Manifesto
I really dig the trippy kind of groove on this. The vocals are largely spoken, and there are some intriguing musical textures at play along with the echoey vocals. This is so artsy and so effective. |
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B side of single
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Released as Harvest HAR 5147 January. 1978
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Blue As a Jewel
This is another effective piece with both New Wave and prog elements at play. |
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Autosexual
There is some funk in the mix on this cool tune. It has a great groove to it. Yet they bring some serious New Wave into it, too. It turns hard rocking later and the guitar seriously soars. I think I like this track as much as anything on the album proper. |
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Face in the Rain
This is a short tune made up of an acoustic guitar and vocal arrangement. |
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Lovers are Mortal
The lush keyboards that produce layers of symphonic styled atmosphere over the top are classy. This has a real old school prog vibe in a lot of ways, feeling like something that Procol Harum or The Strawbs might have done. |
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Blimps
Backwards tracked stuff and other weirdness are heard on this strange piece. |
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Speed of the Wind
A high energy prog rocker, this is so strong. I like this as much as anything on the album proper. |
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Quest of Harvest for the Stars
I can make out hints of David Bowie on this track along with more pure progressive rock elements. There are folkier moments, too. |
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CD Two
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Drastic Plastic
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|
The New Stereo Mix
|
|
Electrical Language
This cut is electronic as it starts, feeling very much like 80s music. The guitar breaks are elegant and melodic. They are both tasteful and tasty. The same can be said of the keyboard breaks. This is a cool tune that is a great opener. |
|
New Precision
A bit more rocking, this is a killer track that has quite a helping of New Wave built into it. I am particularly fond of the guitar work on this. For some reason I'm reminded of Devo just a little on this. |
|
New Mysteries
This tune has a little bit of a funky edge. Roxy Music seems a valid comparisons in some ways. |
|
Surreal Estate
Another classy cut, this has a new wave meets prog approach. It gets into more symphonic prog zones as it moves forward. There is some whistling at the end of this. |
|
Love in Flames
Here I'm again reminded of Devo, this time even more so. This is up-tempo, to the point of being crazed. It's also very classy and dramatic. |
|
Panic in the World
Now, this makes me think of something David Bowie might have done in the 80s or 90s. It has more of a proggy edge, though. It also gets decidedly New Wave. |
|
Dangerous Stranger
A cool rock and roll element is on the menu here. This is a playful tune, but far from the proggiest number on show here. |
|
Superenigmatix (Lethal Appliances for the Home with Everything)
There is a playful, theatrical edge to this cut. It's bouncy, New Wave based and a lot of fun. |
|
Visions of Endless Hopes
This is mellower, proggy and intricate. It's also quite beautiful, making me think of Genesis just a little. |
|
Possession
Punky, this is a New Wave based tune that is artsy and fun. |
|
Islands of the Dead
I dig the island vibe to this cut. The number is classy with a bit of a dreamy edge. The guitar work is so tasty. |
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Bonus Tracks
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B side of single
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Released as Harvest HAR 5147 January. 1978
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Panic in the World (single edit)
A single version of the previous tune, this is works well in this format. |
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A & B sides of single
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Released as Harvest HAR 5158 May. 1978
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Electric Language (single version)
Here we get another single take, but you probably figured that out. I like this a lot. |
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Love in Flames (single version)
A screaming hot single version, this is great. |
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Recorded at Villa St. Georges, Juan-Les-Pins
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May and June 1977
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Islands of the Dead (Take four)
I like this version of the cut. It has a bit less of that island sound, feeling a bit more like something Al Stewart might have done. |
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The Saxophonist (Juan-Les-Pins version)
The guitar soloing on this tune is so jazzy. In fact, I'd consider this piece to be a fusion number. |
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