Following on from the 2007 release of ‘Springtime In Nagasaki’ comes the release of the second instalment in Tangerine Dream’s Five Atomic Seasons series, entitled ‘Summer in Nagasaki.’ This instalment describes musically the summer of 1945 and ends with ’11:02 Am,’ which depicts the moment at which the first nuclear bomb was dropped in Japan.
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| Tangerine Dream: Summer In Nagasaki |
The Release begins with ‘Climbing Mount Inasa,’ which follows stylistically on from ‘Persistence Of Memory Part Six,’ the final track of ‘Springtime In Nagasaki.’ Evident in this track are the band’s deliberate attempt to write in a style to suggest uncertainty within a perceivable aural sensation of neutrality. Throughout this track occurs also the impression of strain afforded from the harmonic movement of the introduction and later extended sequenced passages.
The following track, ‘In The Cherry Blossom Hills,’ retains several characteristics from the previous track but develops into what becomes a more upbeat and, for the most part, less brooding track. The opposing moods continue throughout the release. ‘Mystery Of Life And Death’ introduces a foreboding sense of danger and to the novice musicologist would reward academic study for its suggestion of melody from moving harmony as well as several other musical elements.
Moving on to a later track, ‘Ayumi’s Butterflies’ is perhaps some of the finest writing on the release, or at least some of the most accessible for listeners who favour the group’s more consonant writing. This track sets to music a much more optimistic subject matter, underpinned by a shuffle drum beat and particularly interesting syncopated bassline. This particular track is the standout must-listen from the album.
The concluding track crystallises the suggestion of danger seen musically throughout the album and ends as the nuclear bomb falls, setting to music the impending tragedy which ensued. As the track ends, the die is cast for ‘Trauma’ and the rest of the following album in the series, ‘Autumn In Hiroshima.’
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