NOVALIS

The beautiful album cover is a clue to what's inside.The band called ther music "Romantic rock music", while others refer to it as poetic, dreamy, flowery etc. You get the idea. They named themselves NOVALIS after the great German romantic poet Friedrich Von Hardenberg who used the name "Novalis" instead of his real name when putting out his works. Actually the final track is a poem of his that the band put music to. The lyrics are sung in German and they suit the music well. Almost forgot to mention that TOMORROW'S GIFT guitarist (Carlo Karges) joined NOVALIS prior to this album, so they had two lead guitarists. He played an important role in writing a lot of the songs as well as playing.

"Sonnengeflecht" sounds so much like CAMEL to me. Very much a synth driven track early before the guitar then the piano take over. The guitar solo before 3 minutes is excellent. Then the original melody returns. "Wer Schmetterlinge Lachen Hort" has such a great sound to open with the organ, bass and drums standing out. Vocals come in for the first time on this album. Guitar after a minute then the drums become prominant. Vocal melodies after 3 minutes are a nice touch then we get a heavier sound a minute later with the guitar taking the lead. Check out the organ after 6 minutes !

"Dronsz" is an instrumental with floating organ leading off as the sound builds after a minute. Great sound after 4 minutes, kind of dark. "Impressionen" is another instrumental with floating organ again taking the lead. Drums join in. Guitar and a fuller sound before 2 minutes. The guitar lights it up 5 1/2 minutes in. Organ only 7 1/2 minutes in then it kicks back in. What a great track ! "Es Farbte Sich Die Wiese Grun" is a beauty with those reserved vocals to open with keys. What a beautiful sound a minute in as the guitar tastefully plays. More gorgeous guitar before 2 1/2 minutes. Keyboards take the lead before 4 1/2 minutes. The guitar sounds fantastic a minute later. A calm after 6 minutes as vocals return. The guitar is amazing 7 1/2 minutes in to the end.

Easily 4 stars for me. Relaxing, lush Symphonic Prog at it's best.