SYMPHONIC PICTURES

4.5 stars. This album is very influential to say the least. If you've heard ANGLAGARD's music then listen to this record and i'm sure you will agree that SFF had to be a big influence on their sound. You have two of the band members playing mellotron, moog and clavinet. Frohling plays a self-built double neck Les Paul guitar / Rickenbaker bass combination. Frank Zappa was so enthusiastic about this band's sound that he was willing to produce their first album, but had to drop out to record his own album that was to be recorded at the same time this was to be done. The band ended up with the very capable Dieter Dierks producing their debut album. If you like Symphonic music with lots of mellotron you'll love this album.

"Too" has over a minute intro of which all I can hear is the mighty mellotron. Just an amazing symphonic passage follows.The best part of the song though starts before 4 minutes. It reminds me of GENESIS and includes guitar and mellotron to incredible results. Great track ! "Solution" features mellotron, acoustic guitar and xylophone. A very pleasant song. "Dialog" opens with some intricate drumming as different sounds come and go including mellotron. A melody arrives before 2 1/2 minutes,guitar and loads of mellotron follow.This is amazingly good.The intricate and complex melodies with mellotron again remind me of ANGLAGARD.

"Sundrops" features more intricate sounds and check out the melody 2 minutes in. "Pictures" is a side long suite that is the most obvious reminder of what ANGLAGARD would eventually record. Haunting sounds a minute in as the song starts to build to a melody of drums and mellotron. Oh my ! Pulsating keys follow. Piano 11 minutes in as the song has settled right down. Waves of mellotron arrive with some piano then coming in. It's building to a full sound 14 minutes in. Amazing ! The mellotron here really brings to mind the great ANEKDOTEN.

"Symphonic Pictures" has to be one of the best releases of 1976, and it's really a must have for prog lovers everywhere. I am so impressed with this record.