STERN MEISSEN - STUNDENSCHLAG

It is very clear why "Stundenschlag" is not that popular in these quarters, as it marks a turning point of Stern Meissen to more radio friendly and straightforward songs and away from what we'd call the "progressive" style. Apparently, on the other side of the iron curtain, bands were not immune to this virus either, that befell many of our heroes around this time.

That said, I don't think that Stundenschlag deserves to be treated more harshly than the style change of many western bands around the same time or a few years earlier. Actually, as a transition album, Stundenschlag still has traces of the good old values. The instrumentalists are the same as on the marvellous "Reise zum Mittelpunkt des Menschen" and they haven't suddenly lost their quality. Guitarist Uwe Hassbecker is actually a welcome addition, he certainly knows what to do with his instrument, and bassist Peter Rasym is as creative and dynamic here as he was on the "Reise". Fissler does some more vocals here than on the predecessor, which is also good, because he is a quality singer. I have no complaints about the occasionally added percussion either. There are two pretty strong tracks for the prog listener. "Das Paar" is just wonderful, a very nice dreamy atmosphere with classically inspired keyboards, and its length allows for some twists and turns. "Also Was Soll Aus Mir Werden" is a tasteful understated opener with good vocals and a surprising instrumental interlude.

The remaining songs are not prog by any means, but the majority of them is still of solid quality, very well executed and with some good ideas, and you may find some of them quite catchy. The styles are quite eclectic, you find funk, disco, ballad, melodic keyboard-oriented rock. The rhythm section adds some jazzy feel at times, and Thomas Kurzhals doesn't sound in the least like Keith Emerson anymore. Admittely you also find the odd annoying sound, arrangement or lyrics. I'm very keen on the Stern right now and think that this is easily worth three stars although there are days on which my impression of this is more dominated by its flaws than by its qualities, so it shouldn't have more than three either.