TEARS ARE GOIN' HOME

LAVA was part of the Berlin underground music scene but produced one album only. Founded in 1971 they developed typically for this time. Brought together spontaneously more or less by the interest of some musicans to play improvised free-minded music in connection with the use of drugs and then disbanded 1974 after Thomas Karrenbach had died.

The title track Tears Are Goin' Home is a space rock tune principally, nearly in the vein of Hawkwind but lacking of synth contributions. A promising weird guitar appears at the beginning and the song later developes to a straightforward rocking thing. The next one Crimes Of Love marks the turn to catchy melodies. This is holding up a repetitive heavy rock blues perfectly fitting to a 70s party. And then you will stumble upon some american westcoast and folk infected songs with acoustic guitar furthermore.

(I'm Just A) Mad Dog is the next one which attracts my attention - mellow with nice piano appearance this must be the result of a jam basically. Holy Fool appeals to me because played much deeper in psychedelic supported by a monotonous bass - a nice song dominated by three acoustic guitars. Piece of peace continues in this mood - a meandering and floating jam - smooth - for me the album's highlight.

'Tears Are Goin' Home' is a quite good semi-psych album. Keyboarder Thomas Karrenbach arranges perfect vocals in english which is charming and unique. On the other hand this is bearing prog ingredients only half way. You will find some catchy songs though - listenable without a doubt.