OUSFLUG

Sixth studio album from this Hamburg group and remaining truthful to their original goal, Ousflug ("escape", I think) continues a bit the trends towards some rockier songs , while remaining as authentic and traditional on other tracks. Still with an unchanged line-up from the second album onwards, With a fun Viking flying Drakkar drawn artwork, the group indeed seems to escape towards greener lands, and

Like its predecessor Frÿheit, Ousflug starts very strongly and progressively as Tobacco-Lob is a modern piano-lead piece that looks towards folk rock, but for the next three tracks, the album takes an instrumental turn with two older "dance" tunes, before taking an extended tour on a Celtic jig (Maiden Head).Schöne Hexe is taking an unexpected turn with a sitar and both Olaj and Minne taking turns in vocals, and is an album highlight, but the next two (nearly) instrumentals are fantastic; first the title track with its scats over a gentle but ever-changing chamber rock, while Orschel Halfmacher is hesitating between drone-prone medieval and chamber prog with one or two small choirs, but Gentle Giant is not far away. The last three tracks are still quite interesting although they pale in comparison, but the wordy Atze, the lament Malenzit, etc.. But the closing Lügenlied returns to a rockier format (after a few meanders) with an electric guitar and the lengthy instrumental turning into a jig around the end.

For the pure proghead, Ousflug might just Ougenweide's rockiest album so far with a whopping five instrumental tracks, but by all means don't go hope for a Tull album, even if you will find a few Tull hints.

This music blends elements of both European traditional folk and classical music within a progressive rock context. Approach is quite melodic, revealing fine performing and skills of doing arrangements, this allowing birth of pleasant pastoral rock songs. I believe these could be possibly described with comparisons as a blend of less-sweeter and romantic incarnation of the most popular line-up of Renaissance and a more elitist print of Jethro Tull. Often the moods are playful and happy, or slightly minor key mellow. Songs are sung in German by female and male vocals, though many songs are totally instrumentals. There is also one sitar song included, bringing some oriental hippie influences to the record.

I have searched the records of this band for some time, and I'll certainly look for more, though this was not the most mind blowing experience. Highlights for me were the slightly Celtic sounding hypnotic "How Can I Keep My Maiden Head", which could be danced around the fireside forever (if the song would not end). Good album still, and recommended for fans of folk music and those interested of 1970's Germany hippie rock scene. Have to look out the other records of this group too, as a part of my conquest for pagan folk music delights.