STRAIGHT TO THE KRANKENHAUS

Admittedly, Jazz-Rock is one of my fave genres and as such, I had to check this band out - of course. Alas, my expectations were somewhat ill-placed here. This final studio album is definitely better than previous efforts, but it still falls short of being impressive. Let me explain.

Undoubtedly, there is some excellent musicianship present here and one can tell that these cats are trying to do their best. Sadly, I have to conclude that their best is still not good enough to please.

Whilst echoes of Brand X, Gary Boyle spring to mind, don't let that deceive you. This work falls far short of the complexities associated with those peers. Indeed, one is left for wanting. In other words, so near, yet so far.

The issue is - as is often the case - the actual compositions, or more like the lack of such. No amount of spirited effort on the instruments succeeds without a decent framework, something that's in very short supply here.

This is far from jamming-type improvisations (that I would have perhaps enjoyed more), but more like trying to be lyrical. The end result is rather weak, hollow pieces lacking body. In other words, meandering aimlessly and boring to the point of irritation. Talk about falling between two chairs, neither here, nor there.

With some more attention this work could have been made much better, but as it is I find it quite disappointing, a let down. Compared with their other releases I am compelled to nominate 3 stars. As for my personal enjoyment as a Jazz-Rock fan, I couldn't go above 2.5.

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