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This album is one of the strangest in Vangelis' discography. The pieces on this 1980 work are a concept album, like many of his early works, but it's not immediately clear what the concept is.

The six tracks are songs that seem to about a dystopian future. "I can't take it any more" basically repeats the title over and over, with a chorus of "Too loud, too loud!".

"Not a bit, all of it" is one of the strangest songs ever put to record. It anticipates Vangelis collaboration with Ridley Scott in Blade Runner, because the lyrics sound like the babbling of one of the characters in Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep", the story that Blade Runner was (loosely) based on:

"Hysteria and insomnia
stress, neurosis

please give a better impression with clever use of cosmetics

amang others at this very happy wedding
Were Mr. and Mrs [peep]
the bride looked very pretty
wearing a dress of old lace, designed by [peep]

Last week I had been to this beautiful memorial service held at [peep]
for the late [peep]

laaaa, la da dia haoo ...

This man is a professional singer

we think his voice will develop

la, lala lala lalala

Here is the bride
la la la la la la la la
Holy bright
tra la la la la la la la
Not a bit
la la la la la la la la
all of it
Here is the bride
la la la la la la la la
Holy bright
tra la la la la
Not a bit
all of it

I made myself interesting again today

Obviously"

The song "Suffocation" has an equally disturbing theme. Voices repeat, in Italian "Attention! Attention!
All persons with children immediately go to shelter B37!" The main vocal asks a series of questions:

"Where in my place?
Where is my home?
Where is my place?
Where is my friend?"

The music doesn't provide any answer to the questions it raises.

The most memorable cut on the album is probably "Memories of Green". This was featured in Scott's Blade Runner, but is presented here in a slightly longer version. On this track, Vangelis plays a sad melody on piano that has been treated to sound slightly distant, while sirens and strange synthesizer effects provide a disturbing background. The result is that the song conveys a sense of loss of natural beauty, a sense of alienation from what is natural.

See You Later is a very interesting work, but not the best introduction to Vangelis. It's most similar to his work on Earth, or on 666. If you like his music for Blade Runner, you'll find a lot to like here. Blade Runner fans may even feel a little deja vu, because both his synthesizer and vocoder work are similar the Blade Runner soundtrack.

Vangelis

1/17/2004

Vangelis is one of the most acclaimed electronic musicians of all time. He has recorded a great variety of music over the last thirty years, won the academy award for musical score, composed hit songs, and written the scores for several ballets. Vangelis is best known for his music featured in the television show Cosmos, and his scores to movies. His scores include Chariots of Fire, The Bounty, and Blade Runner.

Synthtopia Reviews of Vangelis' Music

Vangelis - 1492 Conquest of Paradise

2/19/2004

Conquest of Paradise is a sumptious combination of orchestral electronica, folk melodies, choral vocals and renaissance influences.

Vangelis - Alexander Soundtrack

11/18/2004

Alexander, the soundtrack to the Oliver Stone biopic, features Vangelis at his best. It is a rousing score, a satisfying album, and a likely Oscar contender.

Vangelis - Beaubourg

12/7/2003

This is one of Vangelis' most daring and experimental pieces. Listeners that love Vangelis experimental side will love it, while listeners that like his new age side will be covering their ears.

Vangelis - Blade Runner

2/20/2004

Blade Runner is a science fiction classic, and it has a classic electronica score to go with it.

Vangelis - Chariots of Fire

1/18/2004

When Chariots of Fire was released in 1981, it came with a unique soundtrack by Vangelis. At that time, putting a soundtrack of electronic music on a period film was unheard of. The music worked, though, because of the simple, beautiful melodies and the way Vangelis used synthesizers in an orchestral way.

Vangelis - China

12/6/2003

If you're interested in a real fusion of Chinese and western musics, this isn't it. But if you like the music of Vangelis, China is work from one of his creative peaks.

Vangelis - Direct

1/17/2004

This 1988 Vangelis CD is a bridge between the symphonic electronica sound that Vangelis made popular in the eighties and is current, more dense orchestral sound. Direct is a mixture of electronica, new age, space music, and folk sounds, mixed together in the unique style of Vangelis.

Vangelis - Heaven and Hell

1/3/2004

This 1975 recording is the first time Vangelis fully realized his lush orchestral style. The music contrasts images of heaven and hell. After nearly 30 years, it holds up as a classic of electronic music.

Vangelis - Oceanic

4/18/2004

Oceanic is a collection of tone poems with Ocean themes. On this 1996 release, Vangelis creates a soothing 50 minute journey through deep oceanic spaces, sounding a bit like a Hearts of Space show. The new age music showcases his wonderful ear for melodies and lush synthetic orchestration, but does not have the edge or sense of experimentation that marks his best work.

Vangelis - Opera Sauvage

11/22/2003

Vangelis' Opera Sauvage is one of the classics of popular electronic music.

Vangelis - See You Later

1/3/2004

This CD is one of the strangest that Vangelis has ever created. The music is the soundtrack to a dystopian future, or maybe just the ugly side of the present. This cult record is not for the new age fans, but Blade Runner freaks and people who like the darker side of electronic music will find a lot to like.

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