SOMMERABEND

Novalis' third is probably their best and most successful attempt to create beautifully flowing laidback symphonic rock. But there are some remaining flaws in their songwriting causing the album to remain just below excellence.

Aufbruch opens nicely with an instrumental that could have perfectly fitted on any of Camel's early albums. It has soft and spacey parts that sound exactly like Moonmadness and other bits that rock slightly more as on Mirage. The composition is nice and despite the obvious comparison I wouldn't call it derivative.

Wunderschatze is an extended ballad with warm and melancholic German vocals. It builds up some more power towards the end. It's nice again but not exactly overwhelming. Not exactly the next Firth of Fifht or Airborn.

Sommerabend is much more convincing. The first part is even brilliant, it's stunningly beautiful with its soft sadness . The vocal melody line is quite remarkable and original. It's very repetitious but that suits me fine. Halfway in the mood changes to a more upbeat pace and rather typical peace-love and harmony vocals. Instead of releasing the tension that was built in the first half it kind of spoils it for me.

A good symphonic album worth checking out, and probably more then satisfying if you love mellow symphonic rock.