THROUGH

Welcome back Kraan.

After 10 years on hiatus/breakup Kraan get back together .Peter Wolbrandt,Hellmut Hattler,Jan Fride Wolbrandt and Ingo Bischof records and tour again,which I do not think anybody would ever have expected.

In 1999 a Danish fellow,a huge Kraan fan,creates a Kraan web page on www.kraan.dk ,which turns up a lot of fans.Many more than Kraan ever expected.The new interest in the band brings them back together again.At least that's my theory.

The interest in the bands spread to the United States where they get invited to 2 prog fests,2 years in a row.I managed to drive to the one in North Carolina,and it was fantastic.Never thought I would get the chance to see them again...Was the 18 hour drive worth it? You bet.

Anyways,

This album is the first of what I would call the fourth era.

They carry on in the tradition of Wiederhoren,Flyday and Nachtfahrt,which just so happen to be my favorite era.

There are 5 instrumentals which are all very good.Ingo is co-writer of one song and Jan of 2.Which I believe is a first.Unser Lied is a great opener with an hypnotic groove and a brilliant guitar from Peter. Slomocean a great peaceful instrumental.Feels like watching the ocean from a glider looking down at the swirls.Trippy stuff.Urlaubsmusik another (again) hypnotic groove tune.Moxx is an almost dance groove by Ingo which just blows me away.Through is a slow grinder also excellent.

Yes I am sucker for their instrumentals.

The songs with vocals are all good with the exception of, Now what are we gonna do,which does nothing for me.

So all in all an excellent comeback album.

I give it 3 and 3/4 *,but rounded up to 4.

KRAAN are one of those bands who simply know how to create great tunes. At this point in their careers there's no Krautrock vibe and that Jazz flavour isn't nearly as strong, so what we're left with is fantastic instrumental work and excellent compositions even if it's not that proggy anymore.These guys make feel good, uplifting music. I love the followup "Psychedelic Man" as well. Sure this is different from "Wintrup" and their classics but these guys still have it folks.This was recorded live at the drummer's farm which must have brought back some memories of 30 years earlier when they all lived out in the country on a farm and practised up to seven hours a day.

"Unser Lied" sounds so good when the piano kicks in each time. Synths lead 2 minutes in.The bass from Hattler as usual is beyond reproach. A feel good instrumental. "Solemn Sundown" has this beat with chunky bass lines to start. Laid back vocals come and go. Love the bass on this one. "Run Sonny Run" is a vocal track and I like the guitar too that comes and goes. A really good instrumental section ends before 4 minutes. Check out the bass before 4 1/2 minutes.

"Slomocean" is a laid back instrumental with guitar and drums standing out early. Bass joins in. A simple but outstanding track. "Soul Keeper" has some nice guitar early then it kicks in quickly.Vocals arrive as it settles back. So good. "Urlaubsmusik" is another instrumental with bass, guitar and drums leading the way. "Now What (arewegonnado)" sounds better 2 minutes in then the vocals return. An okay tune but for me the highlight is the growly bass. "Moxx" opens with percussion as guitar joins in then a full sound.They're just grooving on this one. Some organ on this track too. "Through" has such a good, deep rhythm early on. Guitar after a minute.The bass after 4 1/2 minutes is killer.

This is just too enjoyable to give anything less than 4 stars.