IKARUS

IKARUS were an early 6 piece Krautrock band who sang in English and featured sax, flute, clarinet, organ, piano and some strings besides the usual instruments. They just released this one album back in 1971, and it's interesting reading the lyrics to see how much they cared about the enviroment back then.

"Eclipse" hits the ground running as vocals come in. It settles after 1 1/2 minutes and the sax starts to lead the way as organ, bass and drums continue. Some solo acoustic guitar 3 minutes in. It's building. Vocals return as it settles once again. It kicks back in after 4 1/2 minutes. Themes are repeated. What a fantastic song ! Nice organ / bass section 8 minutes in. Strings after 9 1/2 minutes. Check out the emotion in the vocals 13 minutes in. It ends with the sounds of nature that blend into "Mesentery". It kicks into gear but the vocals are laid back here. The vocal melodies that come and go give it a sixties feel. Nice. Flute comes in. It turns spacey 4 1/2 minutes in as drums continue. Strings join in as well.

"The Raven (Including Theme For James Marshall)" is led by organ and sax early, drums are prominant 1 1/2 minutes in. The organ and sax are back. A dead calm 2 1/2 minutes in then it turns into a haunting mood. Flute comes in. Vocals before 4 minutes. It's raining after 7 minutes. A brighter mood follows. Cool. Piano 10 minutes in with strings to follow. "Early Bell's Voice" opens with piano as organ, drums and bass follow. The tempo picks up. The sax leads the way when it settles after 2 1/2 minutes. Psychedelic vocals join in. Normal vocals 5 minutes in as bass, drums and organ support. It turns dissonant late to end it.

A solid 4 stars.