CAROL OF HARVEST

This is a very serious, sad and emotional record, and it made a very big impression on me. The songs have stunning melodies, and the overall feeling is very psychedelic. The dreamlike surrealistic solutions are also done with a good style, and the band hasn't gave room for any unconsidered stupidities, but still keeping touch to the uncalculated channels to the subconsciousness. The amplified acoustic guitars are often processed through an echo reverbs, and there are also some great moody electric guitar solos to be heard. The production date of late 1970's is revealed only by some more modern sounding synthesizer tones, which could not have been present on late 1960's or early 1970's recordings. There's also quite strong rhythm section in this band, and there are some faster and more complex movements in the compositions. I'm sure that they have studied their classic jazz recordings. Beate Krause's deep voice is truly stunning, and she also pronounces English in a very good manner, this being a quite rare achievement in the underground recordings from continental European countries.

As only small negative aspect of this record I would detect the similarity of some melodic manners being repeated on the songs, so there are no big contrasts on the music. There are three long compositions here, which lengths vary from six to sixteen minutes, and two shorter more conventional folk songs. The opening track "Put on Your Nightcap" rises from ethereal winds or waves, as undistorted amplified electric guitar begins to weave the soothing web of sound. The lyrics criticize war and institutional religion, and during the violent days of our time this is sadly a good song as background music while watching muted television news. The composition is interesting, as it has many different and very beautiful sections in it. "You And Me" is then a traditional folk with acoustic guitar and the lady singer, and it has even few major chords, which are a rarity in this record. "Somewhere at The End of The Rainbow" is another longer stunning psychedelic voyage like the first track, which really hypnotized me whilst listening to it. "Treary Eyes" is another shorter tune, which is followed by the song "Try A Little Bit", which is the last longer tune of the original album, and played with amplified guitar. The last three songs are bonus tracks from a concert, which are only found on the CD reissue. The sound quality of these live recordings is not very good, but they are a nice addition to the record. "River" is a short, instrumental psychedelic rock passage, which works as an intro for the following song "Sweet Heroin". This performance starts with a moody, abstract sound wall, from where mysterious and powerful song rises. The composition has a mellow and calm feeling, where the fast and loud parts emerge from time to time. The vocals are also treated with weird effects during the verses. "Brickstone" is then only a short excerpt from an interesting sounding performance, alas this being faded out after a minute as maybe the tape or band ran out.

The greatest moments of this album are among the most essential musical moments that I have yet founded from the genres of both artistic folk and psychedelic music. Therefore I recommend it warmly to the fans of moody and beautiful art music. Found also as on praised bargain-priced vinyl reissue.