MUMMIEN

Floh De Cologne's now-ell-established musical formula being transported to Chili's recent political troubles (Pinochet having over- turned Salvador Allende's socialist government with the CIA's help) during a very sensible period of the Cold War, obviously left FDC astounded but anything but speechless. This very talkative record is their reaction, as they felt very concerned as many 2nd WW Nazi criminals had escaped to South America and Chili being one of their "preferred" final destinations. Pinochet's clique and their outfit left little doubt as to the extreme right inspirations either and FDC's artwork for this album leaves very little doubt as to their opinions, rightly shared by most everyone on the planet' except for a few "blind" malevolent secret services.

Musically this is not much different than their previous effort, the music behind the message being indisputably progressive rock, even sounding like Genesis' type of symphonic prog, including harpsichord and Hackettian guitar lines. Of course, the music is much hidden/buried by the up-front vocals, but still quite enjoyable if you don't mind the German singing and constant allusions to Allende and the evil Pinochet.

Somehow I can't help but wondering what the music would sound like if the political lyrical content and vocals were completely erased and leaving the music alone (albeit probably remastered and volume adapted) to be judged by the progheads. No doubt that most of them would be quite impressed. Very much worth a listen, I doubt most of FDC's album would stand much repeated listening without developing Stalinian tendencies (a slight exaggeration as FDC's anti-Nazi message does not mean that they actually endorse extreme left-wing fascism either), but the music's political message is not only very dated (albeit.) but it is overshadowing an otherwise very progressive rock. Must be heard, but not necessarily essential for progheads' collections.