ROCKPOMMEL'S LAND

IMHO, this is one of the most over-rated albums on the Archives. It is still good and will please the majority of progheads but everything about this album spells lack of personality! Even down to the false Roger Dean cover (although a good drawings, it borrows everything to the master), the relatively hollow concept (a boy Ernie escaping to a dream world with some kind of huge bird piloting him around ) , and very borrowed sounds from some of the English super-prog bands of the time.

The songwriting is impeccable and the musicianship never flashy staying very subdued to serve well the music , excellent high-strung vocals are the main positive points to this album! On the downside, I can point out a lack of energy and real inspiration, but I personally always found late 70's German symphonic rock (with the notable exception of Epidaurus's debut album) the same flaws. Novalis, Holderlin (except for their fabulous debut), Anyone's Daughter, and many more are there to prove my point. If you want the real essence of Grobschnitt, get the live album; the best proof that they could be full of energy.

Actually the best track on this album is IMHO the bonus track that grew out of a jam. Tontillon starts with some beautiful bells and other percussion to slowly build up to a heavenly end wishing that this tune would last for twice the length it did! Rarely has a bonus track bettered a rating of an album in my book, but it is the case here.

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