Hi Dave,

You're not really comparing like with like. Tangerine Dream have done well over 50 albums - some are experimental and pushed the boundaries of synthesis at the time but are not melodic. Others are very melodic while being less experimental.

If you like Oxygene and Equinox then you clearly like a large slice of melody with your EM - in which case you have bought completely the wrong TD albums. You might be better off with any or all of the following: Underwater sunlight, Le Parc or Exit.

Some of their albums fall somewhere between these 2 extremes - consisting of long, evolving pieces where melodies emerge, evolve and fade again - perhaps into an altogether different melody or perhaps into some interesting sounds to keep you occupied until the next tune comes along. For me, these are the best of their albums and they include Tangram, Hyperborea, Logos and Livemiles.

Oh - they've done a fair few film soundtracks too but I don't go a whole bundle on those.

I have Phaedra on vinyl. It has a beautiful gatefold sleeve ... but I never play it :-)

Simon.