ABOUT the time these two albums were first released, 1970-71, I was a drummer in a pub band, and I'll swear this is what we sounded like when we were trying to get our instruments in tune (not always successfully, if memory serves).

A few months ago I reviewed a Tangerine Dream anthology, and now we have their first two albums remastered from the original tapes. The accompanying press release says they have been "repackaged with attractive slipcases and insightful sleeve notes".

But, sadly, remastering still fails to instil any discernible tune or rhythm into this series of mournful bleepings, screechings and twangings.

Eelectronic Meditation, a miserable 36 minutes long, is a cold collection of early Krautrock ramblings, while Alpha Centauri, a good seven minutes longer, presents a synthesised move towards 'space rock'.

Edgar Froese and co are playing to sell-out crowds to this day and are due to release a new album, so someone must like them. But can I bring myself to like this stuff? In yer Dreams!

Updated: 10:02 Thursday, January 02, 2003