SWAMP

I first picked this up because I thought it was a folk album, even though the band is better known for being a heavy psych outfit. That's not all that unusual though, except that it seems like Krokodil became more psychedelic as they matured instead of more folksy, which is a bit unusual compared to similar bands in that era.

This record opens with a sort of stoned/bored monotone vocal track set to a fairly nondescript musical track, not a very auspicious beginning really but a bit misleading. The band quickly improves their sound on the next track "Light of Day" with what sounds like both a piano and organ, plus some sitar, flute, violin and harmonica set to a hazy vocal track (in English no less). Like I said, this one sounds closer to progressive folk than Krautrock as far as I'm concerned. This impression is further strengthened by the easygoing "Sunlight's Beautiful Daughter" with its languid male vocal harmonies, soft harmonica and simple beat. This is actually one of the better tracks on an overall solid album even if it does sound every bit as dated as it actually is.

Same goes for "Tell Me What You Want" which sounds more like a post-Beat late sixties band in transition. Come to think of it, that's probably what these guys were at the time. Not unlike the first couple of Moody Blues albums except for the harmonica.

The next couple of tracks ("Blue Flashing Circle", "Snow White & Blue") have a Byrds-like soft psych folk vibe to them that is endearing even if it isn't very progressive or original. Makes me want to paint a peace sign on my shirt and go pick flowers in the park. Nice stuff but again - very dated.

"Human Bondage" is the longest and most unusual track on the album. I'm reminded of Van Morrison by not only the vocals but also the introspective and 'wizened old sage' tone of the lyrics. The plain piano and quiet semi-falsetto backing vocals also sound like some of the stuff Van Morrison did in the early seventies. The piano and flute dominate musically here, and again I'm having as tough time understanding how this is a Krautrock record.

The CD reissue has three bonus tracks that are a bit rougher than the rest of the album, and also show a stronger blues-rock influence than the original works. These are okay tunes, I just don't quite get why they were included here.

Krautrock is not a genre I know much about or load up my collection with, but since I don't really see these guys in the same light as other Kraut bands I've heard, I don't mind saying that this is a very decent progressive folk album from the early seventies. Not a masterpiece for sure, but easily a high three star effort. Recommended to people who like early seventies electric folk bands with just small hints of psychedelic influences.

peace

There is not much information of this album´s time about Krokodil in the internet. To me it seems there was not much happening in Krokodil´s career. The band line-up and producer were the same as in first album. They recorded also this in Munchen, but in the different studio. Although they were connected to Krautrock, they seemed not be working with other Kraut bands. Amon Düül II & Can weren´t very successful in the same time, but at least they got interest from UK when Krokodil seemed to be known only in Germany and Switzerland. At the same time Amon Düül II toured with Tangerine Dream in Germany and abroad. Krokodil had some gigs in Germany and Switzerland, but according to setlist.fm only one gig in a month. I believe record company would not promote them at all. Although future might not be very promising to them, they went much forward in their music!

In "Get Your Personality Together" style is quite the same as in first album, it´s first straightforward, but soon there comes interesting complexity. Also violin and leslie effected guitar brings good spices into it! Sounding very 1970! But "Light Of the Day" is very proggy from the beginning, sounding something between Pink Floyd and Jethro Tull of the same time. Really beautiful song! Greatness continues in "Sunlights Beautiful Daughter", as it´s name, it´s very acoustic & hippie song. Walty Anselmo makes again great work with his harmonica and in the end there comes even sitar! "Tell Me What You Want" goes back to straightforward direction, but it´s more sixties sounding than the first piece with it´s very lovely melodies. "Blue Flashing Circle" continues in the same way, but it´s not as great song as the previous. It´s the most mediocre one in "Swamp", but has good musicianship. Sixties sounds come back in "Snow White and Blue". Again so beautiful melodies! "Human Bondage" starts as luminous ballad. It reminds me a lot a-side of Wigwam´s Hard n Horny -album. Soon comes harmonica and song changes to blues. Then leslie sounding guitar continues solo. In the end there comes one more verse and chorus. Awesome ending of the very good spirit album!

This album is not very far from the masterpiece, but because Krokodil made their most perfect album after "Swamp", I have to give this only four stars. Really these two albums are hidden treasures from the seventies!! I think it´s so sad for example some UK Circus album get much more attention than this these days, of course because in that band there was playing Mel Collins from King Crimson and it´s from UK! But the world is unfair. Anyway if you like for example Caravan´s first album, this is for you! Really these albums have lot in common although this is not as great.