GERMAN OAK [AKA: DOWN IN THE BUNKER]

A very unique sounding album from 1972. Apparently this was recorded in an air raid shelter and unfortunately you can tell. It's muddy and murky sounding and I spent a good deal of time trying to adjust my stereo so it would sound half decent with no success. It is what it is (haha). So while this is hailed by many for being original and very underground sounding, in my opinion it just sounds bad. Poor sound quality. I should mention my cd has no bonus tracks on it, just the original songs.

"Airalert" opens with sounds that build but it hard to tell what the sounds are. Organ takes the lead late in this short intro track. "Down In The Bunker" features sounds that echo, bang and drift. Again it's very muddy sounding. Drums start to lead before it turns spacey after 9 minutes as a beat follows. Guitar joins in making some muffled sounds. This is a tough listen as it goes on for 18 minutes.

"Raid Over Duesseldorf" is the only song that sounds clearer. I don't know if it was recorded somewhere else or just differently but this track brings this recording up to a 3 star album for me from the 2 I would have given it. It's a great tune as they jam in that Krautrock style. "1945-Out Of The Ashes" is back to the murky waters with organ and a beat but i'm not sure what else.

3 stars for the one track alone, but overall a disappointment.