PLASTIC PEOPLE

The band's first explicit foray into progressive rock-you knew this was a far cry from REBIRTH the second you heard those weird, percussive synth sounds at the start of "Plastic People". Musically, this is spectacular stuff, with intricate Hammond and Moog work on "Plastic People", some of Bruno Frenzel's most spectacular guitarwork on "Tiny Flashlights" (which also contains incidental cameo appearances by Morgan Fisher and Eddie Jobson!), impressive Gentle Giant-isms on "My Mind" and more subtle, textural explorations on "Trial Trip". They even have time for an old-style out-and-out rocker (albeit with proggy synth-leads) on "Rockin' Rollin' Roller" and close things out with a brassy Chicago sound-alike, "This Song Is Just For You".

The weak link in the chain this time round is Peter Föller. His voice, while well-suited to the straight-up rock of REBIRTH doesn't really mesh with the subtler strains of the material presented here. Noske, on the other hand, has greater vocal versatility, and shines on the few passages featuring his voice singing lead.