Klaatu's Album: Two Variations of 'Hope' Released
In September 1977, Canadian progressive rock band Klaatu released their second studio album, Hope. The album, a concept album about space travelers visiting a distant planet, was a critical and commercial success, winning a Juno Award for Best Engineered Album. Now, almost four decades later, fans of Klaatu can experience Hope in a new light with the release of an alternate version.
The alternate version of Hope includes a previously unreleased track titled "Epilogue." However, the key differences between the original and alternate versions primarily involve variations in mixes and track versions rather than completely new songs or arrangements. The alternate versions and reissues often include alternate mixes and single edits of tracks from the original album, offering fans slight variations in sound or production choices compared to the standard release.
Some compilations and reissues, like the Solology CD, bundle these alternate takes alongside rarities and live recordings, highlighting differences from the original studio album. These differences are mainly subtle production and mixing changes rather than entirely new recordings or major rearrangements.
The most significant change in the alternate version of Hope is the incorporation of the complete contributions of the London Symphony Orchestra. Klaatu collaborated with professional musicians from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for their recordings. The orchestral arrangements for Klaatu were typically based on piano parts that had already been recorded. In some instances, Klaatu brought in additional musicians to refine or add new elements to the orchestration.
These arrangements included brass and string sections, similar to those found in Beatles' music. The Orchestral version of Hope by Klaatu features different vocal and guitar performances, adding a new dimension to the original tracks. Listening to the Orchestral version of Hope after the original provides a new experience as a music producer.
The alternate version of Hope restores orchestral elements that were cut from the original. Klaatu, known for experimenting with various recording techniques and layering multiple overdubs to create complex arrangements, aimed to recreate the original orchestral sound that was lost during the mixing process.
Hope is Klaatu's second studio album and their first concept album. The album's track listing includes "We're Off You Know," "Madman," "Around the Universe in Eighty Days," "Long Live Politzania," "The Loneliest of Creatures," "Prelude," "So Said the Lighthouse Keeper," and "Hope."
An alternate version of Hope was released in 2005 as part of the Sun Set collection. For fans of Klaatu, this alternate version offers a fresh perspective on a classic album, showcasing the band's innovative approach to music and their dedication to creating unique and memorable experiences for their listeners.
[1] Information sourced from Klaatu Wiki and various online resources.
- The alternate version of Hope, released in 2005 as part of the Sun Set collection, includes a previously unreleased track titled "Epilogue," and its key differences primarily involve variations in mixes and track versions rather than completely new songs or arrangements.
- Klaatu's orchestral arrangements for Hope were often enhanced by incorporating brass and string sections, similar to those found in Beatles' music, and in the alternate version, these arrangements featured different vocal and guitar performances, adding a new dimension to the original tracks.
