The year 1988 brought us only two releases from Tangerine Dream (which is little only if compared to their output in previous years) - a studio album "Optical Race", and a soundtrack, "Miracle Mile". Released for public consumption a year later, the album provides us with some very good music, almost worth comparison with previous efforts from the band. Almost, but not quite. On the one hand the album contains watered-down themes resembling previous work on "Canyon Dreams", "Near Dark" and "Heartbreakers". A derivative work, but worth listening. Perfect examples might be 'One for the Books', 'Running Out of Time' and 'After the Call'. On the other hand, we have some unique and original tracks, which are consistently in the moody percussive rhythmic mode. A pleasure to listen, undoubtedly, but nothing that would set us on our knees. Good representative tracks that set the mood on this album are 'Teetering Scales' and 'All of a Dither'. Musically, these tracks do not contribute to the musical heritage of the band, but nevertheless represent solid, good soundtrack work. Proceeding further, we once again come back to slightly derivative work in 'Final Statement', 'In Julie's Eyes', and 'People in the News'. Good old times, one might say. However, time and again we scratch our heads with a powerful deja vu.