This album was my first TD album, so it set the standard for the many other TD albums I would purchase since then. I have listened to their previous works and their works since, and I maintain my position that Tyranny of Beauty is a high water mark for this group.

This is a fusion of many different musical styles, and the variety of sounds and instruments creates a genre in itself. Every track is good, with the possible exception of the final track.

Take this album on a road trip and listen to it from beginning to end. I have played this album more than anything else in my collection, and it still amazes me. I give it my highest recommendation.

I'm not sure why this disc has recieved the less-than-enthusiastic reviews that it has. But as a long-time fan of German synthesizer-meisters Tangerine Dream, I find this 1995 release to be one of the band's most memorable and musically satisfying albums. Unlike some of those long-term T.D. "fans" who inexplicably dismiss anything post-Christopher Franke (or worse, knock the band's use of modern synth & persussion sounds), I feel that, with perhaps a few minor exceptions, T.D. has aged VERY well as a creative force. In my opinion, the group's newer music (under the guidance of founding-member Edgar Froese) has remained of a very high quality, and quite true to the artistic spirit of Tangerine Dream's legacy. Built around complex chord progressions, bright melodic lines, gripping, evocative rhythms, and some of the most detailed and dynamic arrangements in modern music, the compositions here on "Tyranny of Beauty" rate right alongside T.D.'s best work, old or new. The father/son keyboard team of Edgar & Jerome Froese show that they are still full of solid musical ideas, and they recieve ample help here from keyboard/woodwind artist Linda Spa, and a couple of guest guitarists. Speaking of the guitarists; the use of clean, bright acoustic lead guitars on a few tracks really adds something new and fresh to the music, demonstrating that Tangerine Dream still have some musical horizons to explore and experiment with...So much for the critisism that modern T.D. never try anything new! : ) To my ears, standout tracks include the album opener "Catwalk" (which marries thumping techno-rhythms & layered synth-textures with an alost "classical" flavor...very clever!), "Birdwatcher's Dream" (very rich in melody, with nice use of thick, harmonized guitars in the beginning, and stacatto picking in the middle), "Little Blond In the Park of Attractions" (simple but hypnotic, with a calming "new-agey" feel) "Living in a Fountain Pen" (more of "rock" feel, with a melody that sort of sneeks up on you), "Haze of Fame" (the longest track on the album, with a very progressive structure and a beautiful "atmospheric" section at that appear like bookends and the begginning end of the piece) and, last but not least, "Bride in Cold Tears" (one of my favorite T.D. tracks of all-time, a perfect blend of churning rhythms, subtle melodies, quick chord changes, and unique sound textures as only T.D. can do!) Each of these tracks makes for an intriguing sonic journey on its own terms, and also works well in the context of the overall album. Let me say that this is an album that stands up well to repeated listens, and to be fair, some listeners may need a few listens to fully appreciate it's charms. For instance; at first listen I felt that the albums title track ("Tyranny of Beauty") was a weak link in the line-up of songs. However, after a few more listens that track became one of my favorites, and I now can't imagine the album without it! This is a true credit to the artistry of Tangerine Dream - in this World of "catchy" 3 minute sound bytes and disposable pop stars, Edgar & Jerome Froese are not afraid to create music that challenges the listener to really LISTEN! All in all, if you enjoy the music of Tangerine Dream, particularly the 80's/90's period of T.D., then ignore the naysayers and give "Tyranny of Beauty" a listen for yourself...You may find much to enjoy, just as I did.

In the trio of "Guitar" CDs that I consider of Tangerine Dream, this one ranks behind Turn of the Tides, but ahead of Rockoon.

"Guest musician" guitarist Zlatko Perica left the band sometime between the release of Turn of the Tides and the sessions for this CD. His replacement is Gerald Gradwohl, a competent guitarist to say the least, but Zlatko's fire on the previous CDs was partly the reason that they were so good.

Tyranny of Beauty has some great guitar work by Grohwohl and Jerome Froese, I love listening to this CD, but for whatever reason the tunes just aren't as memorable as those on Turn of the Tides. That being said, it is a great CD and there is some great guitar work. Turn of the Tides and Tyranny of Beauty should be in the collection of any instrumental rock fan or guitar enthusiast. I think the saxophone is more prominent on this CD than the predecessor, but it doesn't detract from the listening experience in my humble opinion. Some standout tracks for me are Catwalk, Birdwatcher's Dream, Living In a Fountain Pen, and Haze of Fame.

Similar to its predecessor, the only thing that could make this CD better would be the use of an actual drum set then the drum machine/synth samples that they use for their drums.

This is a highly hypnotizing and energetic blend of dance and dark ambient New Age beats all on one great CD! "Catwalk", "Little Blond" and "Living in A Fountain Pen" are just sheer beauty! Buy this CD! That's all I can say for now!

Having owned the CD for a few years I have recently re-listened to it over and over. What a treat! It is as rich, textured, and substantial as anything TD has done. As opposed to some of their other CD's, which have not aged well, this one is filled with swirling soundscapes which are as powerful as anything they have done. To my amazement most of the electric lead guitar, which makes the album work, is by Gerald Gradwohl, whom I've never heard of! (Clearly I was 'asleep at the wheel' on this one.) If you like the sound of mysterious, serious and brooding TD, then you will like much of this wonderful disc.