OHRENSCHMAUS

In 1974 the Hamburg-based monthly magazine ''Sounds'' wrote for Ougenweide:''The lyrics aren't from Volkslieder, but from old German poesy, and namely so old that its language isn't comprehensible today and has to be translated.''.And that's was a fact, because the band started to use texts drawn from the Merseburg Incantations, a series of spells dating since the 9th centure and written in Ancient German.By 1975 the band had shared the stage with similar-sounding acts and artists like Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, Amazing Blondel and Alan Stivell.Entering 1976 they would release their third album ''Ohrenschmaus'', recorded at the studios of Polydor in Hamburg.

''Ohrenschmaus'' sets the new standards of the band, which were now a blend of Folk Pop and an elaborate soft Prog Rock, containing some impressive instrumental work for such a smooth style chosen.Flutes, pipes, percussion, acoustic guitar and mandolines still dominate Ougenweide's music, but the electric guitars and omnipresent piano along with the constant use of bass pushes the band a tad closer to the basic principles of Prog Rock.And while the short tracks are basically acoustic explorations on Medieval Music with heavy vocal content and a clear insistence on delivering a raw side of archaic soundscapes, the longer ones showcase Ougenweide's highly artistic nature with regular bass and drum entries and some qualitive interplays on piano, flute, acoustic and electric guitars.You can even hear some pre-Classical textures, JETHRO TULL-esque vibes through the theatrical vocals and rhythmic lines, based on flutes, piano and strings, and HOELDRELIN-like elaborate arrangements with a light symphonic nature thrown in a heavy Folk content.The flipside appears to be musically stronger with all these elements present, archaic tunes blended with light rock qualities and symphonic arrangements, apparently having more space for instrumental lines and a generally lifted level of energy with more pronounced electric parts.

Solid Prog Folk.The odd Kraut Folk sound of the earlier days has given its place to a more human mixture of mellow Prog and Folk, the result is mostly pretty fine and the room for some instrumental exercises has expanded.Recommended.