HOELDERLIN

This review has been a long time coming. Having been a fan of this German band's debut for many years it's about time I talked about the self titled followup. Interesting enough this was released in 1975 some 3 years after the debut even though it was ready to go a couple of years earlier, legal issues caused the delay. The female singer from the debut has left and the band has changed from being mainly a Folk band to making an album that really splits the Folk and Symphonic sub-genres down the middle. More mellotron on this self titled album as well. Tough for me to pick one over the other to be honest. I like the cover art on both as well.

"Schwebebahn" is the opening instrumental that they would open many a concert with. Solemn piano to start with drum rolls but soon the viola is soloing over top. So good! Mellotron after a minute as the tempo picks up, guitar too! A calm before 2 minutes but it picks again with percussion and bass then it builds. The drums are active with percussion as the viola comes in over top again along with the mellotron. It ends like it began. What an opener with tons of mellotron in that Symphonic style.

"I love My Dog" is a folky piece with some guest alto sax. Acoustic guitar, flute and more to start as relaxed male vocals join in. A song about man's best friend. I love dogs! It picks up after a minute with drums, flute and acoustic guitar leading. Vocals and that folky sound are back after 2 minutes. Contrasts continue. Great sound 3 1/2 minutes in with those soaring vocals. A sax solo after 4 minutes continues to the end.

"Honeypot" is another folky tune with almost spoken vocals as he tells us the story. This is cool. Acoustic guitar and flute to start as those vocals join in. Some passion before 2 1/2 minutes with the instrumental work as the vocals step aside. The violin starts to light it up and the mellotron joins in as well. I like the intensity after 4 1/2 minutes. It calms back down around 6 1/2 minutes with violin, piano and more. Vocals are back before 8 minutes and there's humour in those words.

"Nurnberg" has a real GENESIS vibe to it even the vocals somewhat. Piano, a beat and acoustic guitar help out on this folky piece.

"Deathwatchbeetle" is the side long closer clocking in at 17 1/2 minutes. Interesting that Conny Plank helps out with the synths and vocals here. Yes it gets a little experimental during those sections Plank helps out on not surprisingly, giving us a taste of that Krautrock spirit. It's catchy with piano, drums and more before settling in as bass and synths help out. A calm with piano only then the viola joins in. Vocals before 2 1/2 minutes as it picks up again. It settles again as the tempo continues to shift. Some organ after 7 minutes and more depth of sound before 8 1/2 minutes. Great section that goes on and on. Vocals return 11 minutes in as it settles back again. Some dramatic sounds(Plank) 13 minutes in. It starts to settle down before 14 minutes then vocals return and a Symphonic sound takes over. Mellotron! How uplifting is this before 15 minutes. Oh my! Some theatrical vocal expression(Plank) and sounds late as it winds down. Suddenly at 16 minutes it kicks in again with vocals for a big finish.

I haven't hear any of their music beyond this but I highly recommend the first two albums.