ROXY ELEPHANT

Not bad for me (both as for their sound essence and the album sleeve itself) but it's a pity there's almost nothing Neues and innovative like Pinguin's "Der Grosse Rote Vogel' released three years before. One of obscure Krautrock combos PANCAKE have made their debut in 1975 upon the German Rock scene, with their first album 'Roxy Elephant'. This stuff is filled with bluesy guitar-oriented psychedelic rock seasoned with progressive rock-ish spice, maybe inspired by 70s British Rock Invasion. Sadly nobody (but themselves) knows what they wanted to play in those days nor whether they could have done what they wanted to do via this creation, but what they've not done more of novelty than psychedelic blues / rock can be heard currently. It's not wrong for me also that every material of theirs has vague, mysterious charm, anyway.

Honest to say such a progressive rock tendency can be found here and there, for example in a tad improvised shot 'Rolltreppe', the longest one 'Aeroplane', or the last titled track), but basically no rhythmic weirdness, melodic confusion, nor atmospheric weirdness like 'authentic' Krautrock / German psychedelic progressive. Plus their instrumental / play technique cannot be as deep nor heavy like the elephant upon the sleeve pic. Let me say their soundscape cannot get over the music area of psychedelic rock appreciated in late 60s or early 70s. Personally their improvised phrases all around the album should be fascinating for me, though. This obscurity cannot be recommended for every Krautrock fan but for a part of psychedelic bluesy rock freaks. My love, especially impromptu instrumental battles upon the last 'Roxy Elephant" nonetheless.