1972-75

My only experience with this Danish band is their self titled release from 1972 which is for me a 3 star record. So consider me quite surprised to hear a compilation of tracks recorded between 1972 and 1975 that I feel is much better than that debut. This was released in 2003 and we get 15 tracks worth over 67 minutes with the majority of it being that unreleased second album which would have been great along with some stuff from those sessions. Then three songs recorded at a different studio along with that live closer. So a few different lineups and eight musicians in total.

This is just surprisingly consistent with really good compositions, a strong singer and the music is mostly organ or guitar driven. Again I'm into so many of these songs even though it's not the proggiest album I've heard by a long shot. They know how to create memorable melodies which is a talent in itself. And they had my attention right away with that opener that is an experimental soundscape ending with the sound of waves. No structure or vocals. Then were off with "Lady Nasty" an almost 8 minute piece but it's what follows that won me over to this record rather quickly, a couple of spins only really.

The back to back "Elvira(The Night Rider)" and "Sadness" are awesome followed by the adventerous two part "The Sea Of Green". Some killer tunes late with "Roll The Dice", "Down By The Sea", "Love 77" and "The Jam" at over 7 minutes and simply that, a jam. These guys really won me over as well with the slower to mid paced tunes with backing vocals which I normally wouldn't be into but again they have the gift as far as I'm concerned.

This is one of those rare 4 star compilation albums and it's archival to boot!