METROPOLIS

I don't think this album has ever been released on cd so it's pretty obscure. Listed under Krautrock I have to say this seems to have more in common with American West Coast Psych as in JEFFERSON AIRPLANE especially with the male and female vocals. And that's what makes this a difficult listen for me because the vocals do dominate the sound here and they are very much in your face much of the time. Just not my thing. Love the album cover though. They were a six piece band with some musicians who had previously played in some fairly well known Krautrock bands. The female singer was in OS MUNDI, the keyboardist and guitarist were in AGITATION FREE and the drummer from MYTHOS. We get some brass and string arrangements as well. Some guests add aboe and flute.

"Birth" opens in an encouraging manner with the organ, gong and rumbling drums. Flute before a minute then it kicks in with drums, bass and keys standing out before it settles in to a great sound. Male and female vocals arrive. It sounds like mellotron before 2 1/2 minutes then it kicks back in as the vocals continue. I like the distorted keys after 4 minutes but the guitar that follows is even better. "Metropolis" sounds amazing at first with that psychedelic sound then a music box can be heard before a minute followed by a drifting and spacey sound with strings and more. Some strange sounds come and go then we get vocals before 3 1/2 minutes as a normal "rock" sound arrives. A change 5 minutes in with fast paced vocals and the harmonies really remind me of the MOODY BLUES. Female vocals and a laid back sound follow. Strings before 7 minutes but I don't like the chorus that comes and goes here. Piano 8 1/2 minutes to the end in a relaxed setting.

"Superplastikclub" is one I can't get into with those theatrical male and female vocals in an avant soundscape. The pace picks up before a minute but the tempo does change often. "Dreamweaver" opens with the organ, drums and female vocals standing out as male vocals join in this uptempo start. Again the tempo does shift a lot. I do like the guitar that comes and goes, it adds a lot to the sound here. Some nice organ around 5 minutes. "Glass Roofed Courts" starts out with aboe and picked guitar as reserved male vocals join in. Female vocals too and man this sounds so much like JEFFERSON AIRPLANE. A Spanish vibe changes that 2 1/2 minutes in then the flute joins in. Aboe later before 4 minutes. "Ecliptic' is my favourite track on here. Windy sounds to begin with as almost spoken but determined vocals join in briefly. Organ and drums take over as strings join in as well. The vocals are back 2 minutes in as it kicks into a full sound. A change before 3 minutes as the guitar solos with percussion and more. Nice bass after 3 1/2 minutes, keys too. The organ kicks in before 4 1/2 minutes and it trades off with the guitar. Nice. It turns classical, almost ELP-like after 7 minutes.

Not even close to 4 stars in my world. I really think they were trying to make something here that would sell a few copies while retaining that Krautrock spirit.