EILEEN

For a second release Streetmark had to say goodbye to singer Georg Buschmann, who joined the Hard Rock band Straight Shooter and bassist Wolfgang Westphal and welcome Wolfgang Riechmann on vocals and Manfred Knauf on bass.Riechmann, who wrote all titles of this second release along with Thomas Schreiber, had an Electronic background, having played next Michael Rother of Kraftwerk and NEU! fame in an act called Spirit Of Sound in late-60's.''Eileen'' was again recorded at Conny Plank's Tonstudio and was released in 1977 on the Sky label.

The splendin opener ''Crazy Notion'' sees the band stabilizing in the great Symphonic/Space Rock style of their debut, having evident GENESIS influences in the keyboard parts and ELOY inspirations in the guitar solos, emphasizing on an orgasmic performance by Raukes on alternating piano, harsichord, organ and moog synthesizers.The rest of the first side sees Streetmark moving in a more spacey sound with long synth and organ passages, psychedelic drumming and smooth electric guitars, while the vocal performance of Riechmann is rather limited, giving space to extended instrumental textures.The second side confirms the change in style presented in the later parts of the opening one, highlighted by the 12-min. ''Dreams''.Hypnotic synthesizers, narcotic bass lines and drumming typical of the Kraut Rock style are combined with sensitive vocals and Electronic soundscapes in a fine result of Electronic/Space Rock.The symphonic influences are not totally abandoned, some light moog synth and organ moves do retain the early style of the group, although the general soundscapes are more in a Teutonic, cosmic vein.The parts with the dual and triple keyboards are very good, although a bit repetitive, and Riechmann's impact on the band's sound is now more than obvious.

With this second album Streetmark leave behind the British-styled Prog of their debut for a more German/Kraut Rock taste along the lines of Space Rock.Quite good effort, just not as good as the band's debut.Still warmly recommended.