The reason Fantasies & Delusions is one that even Joel's most faithful followers aren't advised to hear isn't because the music is bad. Rather, it's due to the sharp divergence from everything that he's done. As the album's subtitle alludes, the only instrument present is the piano. No vocals, no drums, no guitar; just the piano. One should also bear in-mind that this isn't a short trip. Fantasies & Delusions has no problem taking time, clocking in past the 75-minute mark. In other words: Joel has released an album that's intended for very specific audiences; especially when compared to what he'd given us since Cold Spring Harbor.
So, given that this is a long-winded collection of ten piano opuses, one still might be curious as to how it all holds up. Truth be told, it's not half bad. Granted, a key reason behind this is because Joel and performer Richard Joo are clearly paying homage and tribute to influences from music's classical days. The melodies and piano-playing we're given are nicely handled, lending a rather good level of progression for just one instrument. Some might compare it to elevator music, or think of it as little more than what an instructor would use for training piano students. However, credit at least has to be given for Joel and Joo giving us an acceptable and, all told, nicely played collection which is perfect for relaxing to.
Yet this also leads to what Fantasies & Delusions fails to accomplish: stand out. Again, technically speaking the music is fine, but there's next to no distinguishing characteristics. Even with wonderful piano melodies and tunes being the music (literally), it's simply not enough. Most listeners will likely put the album down well before the halfway mark because of how long most of the individual tracks are. In addition, it's really a challenge to make over an hour of piano-only instrumental pieces feel differentiated from each other. Unfortunately, it's tough to say that Fantasies & Delusions overcomes this task. The opuses are very similarly played which, although lending to a nice flow throughout, means it all goes together too well. And for a release this long, that's not going to leave a positive impression on listeners.
Some might argue that River of Dreams is Joel's last true studio album. And while it's definitely his pop/rock closing, we still have Fantasies & Delusions as being among his collection. As said, this album is bound to leave many of his fans feeling sour; especially if they go in expecting more of the same. But if one can open their tastes for something notably different and very classically-oriented, then this isn't a bad release to appreciate for what else Joel has strived towards. Fantasies & Delusions really does have a nice, beautiful sound to it in many places, but it has little to no personality to help it stand, even in an empty field.
Tracklist for Fantasies & Delusions:
1.Opus 3. Reverie ("Villa d'Este") 9:31
2.Opus 2. Waltz # 1 ("Nunley's Carousel") 6:58
3.Opus 7. Aria ("Grand Canal") 11:08
4.Opus 6. Invention in C Minor 1:04
5.Opus 1. Soliloquy ("On a Separation") 11:26
6.Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): I. Innamorato 7:46
7.Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): II. Sorbetto 1:30
8.Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): III. Delusion 3:37
9.Opus 5. Waltz # 2 ("Steinway Hall") 7:00
10.Opus 9. Waltz # 3 ("For Lola") 3:28
11.Opus 4. Fantasy ("Film Noir") 8:56
12.Opus 10. Air ("Dublinesque") 3:46
So, given that this is a long-winded collection of ten piano opuses, one still might be curious as to how it all holds up. Truth be told, it's not half bad. Granted, a key reason behind this is because Joel and performer Richard Joo are clearly paying homage and tribute to influences from music's classical days. The melodies and piano-playing we're given are nicely handled, lending a rather good level of progression for just one instrument. Some might compare it to elevator music, or think of it as little more than what an instructor would use for training piano students. However, credit at least has to be given for Joel and Joo giving us an acceptable and, all told, nicely played collection which is perfect for relaxing to.
Yet this also leads to what Fantasies & Delusions fails to accomplish: stand out. Again, technically speaking the music is fine, but there's next to no distinguishing characteristics. Even with wonderful piano melodies and tunes being the music (literally), it's simply not enough. Most listeners will likely put the album down well before the halfway mark because of how long most of the individual tracks are. In addition, it's really a challenge to make over an hour of piano-only instrumental pieces feel differentiated from each other. Unfortunately, it's tough to say that Fantasies & Delusions overcomes this task. The opuses are very similarly played which, although lending to a nice flow throughout, means it all goes together too well. And for a release this long, that's not going to leave a positive impression on listeners.
Some might argue that River of Dreams is Joel's last true studio album. And while it's definitely his pop/rock closing, we still have Fantasies & Delusions as being among his collection. As said, this album is bound to leave many of his fans feeling sour; especially if they go in expecting more of the same. But if one can open their tastes for something notably different and very classically-oriented, then this isn't a bad release to appreciate for what else Joel has strived towards. Fantasies & Delusions really does have a nice, beautiful sound to it in many places, but it has little to no personality to help it stand, even in an empty field.
Tracklist for Fantasies & Delusions:
1.Opus 3. Reverie ("Villa d'Este") 9:31
2.Opus 2. Waltz # 1 ("Nunley's Carousel") 6:58
3.Opus 7. Aria ("Grand Canal") 11:08
4.Opus 6. Invention in C Minor 1:04
5.Opus 1. Soliloquy ("On a Separation") 11:26
6.Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): I. Innamorato 7:46
7.Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): II. Sorbetto 1:30
8.Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): III. Delusion 3:37
9.Opus 5. Waltz # 2 ("Steinway Hall") 7:00
10.Opus 9. Waltz # 3 ("For Lola") 3:28
11.Opus 4. Fantasy ("Film Noir") 8:56
12.Opus 10. Air ("Dublinesque") 3:46
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