The Pink Years Albums: 1970-1973

Reading reviews of these four albums known collectively as "the pink years" is not really helping prospective new comers to the strange universe of Germany's Tangerine Dream, a logical mixing of the strangest Floyd, especially tunes like "Set Your Controls For The Heart Of The Sun", "A Saucerful of Secrets" and the underwater sequence on "Echoes" and Can, the equally adventurous and even stranger German band traveling basically down the same road but in different lanes, and maybe bits and pieces of Alan Parson's weirdest moments, although that element would come later when the band incorporated choral voices in future albums. Edgar Froese was the mastermind behind TD, but all three were pioneers, using early Moog/synthesizer and tape loop technology to create what can best be described as nearly four hours of sound waves refusing to stay on the rails. Thankfully, the proceedings, while they definitely portend the industrial music, new wave synthesizer bands and futuristic bands that would arrive in another 10 years or so, are not as abrasive perhaps as some of the more cacophony you might expect from Can's most twisted moments. That doesn't mean it doesn't get out of Earth's orbit and quickly at that. I can only imagine, as I'm not in my 70's yet where I might have had a chance to hear them as a new band and consumed various "leisure" products, what this band would have sounded like. Even imagining them on some good reefer is wild, and in a way I wish I had, because it's that kind of music, the kind that seeps in, settles in, swishes around in the skull for awhile and then slowly dissipates. But if it's a longer, stranger trip you are looking for, and I do NOT advocate drug use of any kind, but just want some weirdness to listen to on a creepy night drive or Halloween, "Zeit" is the gem of the four albums. It reaches nearly 80 minutes, and never worries about providing mellow beautiful passages to interfere with its message, whatever that is. Not hard to listen to, but rather like ambience that pays little attention to conventional notes and arrangements. More approachable albums would follow, but this is prime stuff for some of the trippiest stuff out there. If you're the type who would love to hear "Echoes" go on for an hour in the underwater sequence, this is for you.

Another run to remaster the first four albums. This time they come in a little box with digipacks for each separate album. Cherry Red did the last issues in nice plastic double CDs with great packaging, and here they go for a bit of a different look.The sound seems to be better and less messed with than the last releases. Full dynamic range not much noise reduction that I can hear. I think there seems to be a better sense of clarity in the audio. That being said if you are not paying attention their last remasters were probably not too bad just a bit different.These seem about as faithful as you will find out there. With the original masters of these albums unknown as to their use in remasterings, I am totally happy with this package. I have Zeit in just about every incarnation it has been mastered in including the double CD from the 80s. I would say this is about as good as you can hope it to sound. The packaging is efficient, and the digicases are fine by me. It's a great affordable presentation of the first four albums from a titanic in the electronic music spectrum. For any music fan this is a must buy. Zeit is a timeless record that deserves anybody's time. The other albums all have their moments, but Zeit just remains a stone cold icon in electronic music development.

Bing the first four albums, Tangerine Dream is still in the experimental stage of making electronic music. There are some brilliant moments here but if you are new to the sound, you may want to start with the albums that followed these. If you are interested in the history of electronic music, this box is essential. This box set is expertly produced. It could have used a more through booklet but the sound quality is what is important here, and it is superb.

Great way to have multi albums joined in a few CDs. A little odd at first but I am so glad to have these for long road trips or just relaxing at home.

I love this anthology of the first four albums by Tangerine dream. The first album electric meditation is freat, "journey through a burning brain" is a really fun track. Then the next album Alpha Centauri, with the title track is great. Zeit, I would have to go with "birth of liquid palades", Atem, is really solid. The best part of these albums when the suddenly start speaking.

Great box set with all the pink era albumsWithout breaking your bank

Very nice

Well, I am a completist. That was the only reason. Really. I had to . Nice packaging, nice LP mini reproduction (but no booklet). Beautiful picture covers, great art. But..... this "music" is... too much; or should I say, too little. This is NO music. They are creepy dark electronic sounds. Beatless. That's it. Pioneering yes, but... why it took them so long to get to PHAEDRA? Rubycon? Stratosfear? Not recommended. Here is no music. At all.

La época que precede a los famosos Virgin years. The pink years (desconozco porque se titulan así, más allá de la portada de Electronic meditation) que incluye sus primeros álbumes por un precio muy bajo.

I've been listening to these albums since I was a kid, on vinyl to start with when my brother gave me the Atem and Alpha Centauri double album, I have to say that the quality of these remastered albums is simply great, if you like these early albums I highly recommend you buy this box set.Not much point in my writing a review of the actual music, there's plenty of that if you look around the net, as well as the fact you can listen to all of this material on Youtube, before you commit to buying these higher quality recordings on CD.Oh, and please ignore the bad ratings on this box set, the usual fools, and that one star guy !, who doesn't understand anything about this music, and obviously any electronic ambient music, so funny, it's worth reading.

Fantastic package of early Tangerine Dream albums all with miniature replica sleeves including gate folds. Top notch.

TGs early albums are very Floyd like, swirly organs and atmospheric long tracks. The first album is only 36 minutes long, so I think this set is overpriced, especially as the two Virgin box sets are less than £10.The music is a lot more basic than later TG stuff, consisting or flutey, long improv type music and ambient soundscapes.Good stuff but way over priced, greedy Esoteric

What can I say that hadn’t been said before Tangerine Dream a very influential band within there genre the musicianship is first class all four albums are incredible if i’ Going to be picky about the box set it no booklet with the information about the band and albums but a that’s really been picky