AUSSCHUSS

Germany played host to a myriad of bands in the 70's, all sporting different directions and styles, yet bundled together in the cramped box labelled krautrock. I find the term somewhat narrow and it may be that the term simply means "progressive rock from Germany". If so, I'm fine with that. As far as genres are concerned Germany was just as exploratory and/or adventurous as any other country.

I have always enjoyed the jazzier side of rock. It is something dear to me. Eulenspygel was exactly that, jazzy and hellbent on creating the perfect blend of progressive rock where jazz takes a prominent role. In their attempt to do so, they created one of the greatest albums to ever emerge out of Germany in the 1970's.

Though their first album may be a more cohesive affair I think that "Ausschuss" really is the Place to start, since it boasts the 22- minute epic of "Abfall". That song or suite is one of the most accomplished pieces I have ever heard. Simply outstanding. Everything just falls into place, melding and forging the elements into something out of this world. The vocals are emotional, the organ majestic and the overall orchestration flawless. It's certainly raw but not as in unrefined. Simply delicious. The opening mellotron is just thrilling and eerie.

It's hard to follow up on a track like that and subsequently the remaining tracks seems less brilliant, while they're actually not. They are all very good. "Menschenmacher" is very much a riff-driven track and "Teufelskreis" acoustically performed. The songs are all very good indeed but in comparison to the magnum opus inferior. What else is there, really, to expect?

The vocals are all performed in german but don't let that hinder you. The lyrics are politically left-winged and performed with passion.

This is an amazing album and really Worth checking out. I love it to bits, especially "Abfall".