PLANETS

A band that has never really connected with me due in part to the rather blatant Pink Floyd similarities but also to the rather mundane and straightforward rhythm patterns they chose (which were, I know, de rigueur in Germany during the 1970s and 1980s.

1. "Introduction" (1:58) spacey synth movements. (4.25/5)

2. "On The Verge Of Darkening Lights" (5:37) very nice, spacious music with bass, synths, guitars, and sparse drum play as Frank Bornemann sings. The music fills and gels in the instrumental section between vocal sections with some great synth work from Hannes Folberth--work that continues as the song decays into what will become the intro to the next song. (9.25/10)

3. "Point Of No Return" (5:45) At times it's Frank's forced storytelling vocals (which so similar to/imitative of those of the Pink Floyd lead singers) that I find irritating. The sound palette here is quite likable but the music coming out of it gets a little repetitive. (Being that it is obviously intended as a support to the lyrical message of Frank's vocals, I get it. I guess that one of the things I like most about prog is the interesting expressions being put down by the instrumentalists; here those are lacking). (8.66667/10)

4. "Mysterious Monolith" (7:40) a little more Genesis in this song's palette with the 12-string guitars and Hammond organ. I like the tempo change as we enter a new motif after Frank's first stint at vocals. Interestingly, the new motif is maintained when the vocals return. Lots of interesting keyboard work, if bursting in flourishes more than providing foundational elements. Great synth work--and bass, too--in the extended instrumental passage of the final two minutes. (13.75/15)

5. "Queen Of The Night" (5:22) piano provides the sole accompaniment to Frank's plaintive vocal for the opening and first minute. Unfortunately, the melody chosen for the vocal track is lifted straight from Pink Floyd's "Time." Orchestral strings join in during the second minute and then female choral vocals to accent and sometimes lead. It may have come across as kind of cool back in its time, but now it sounds kind of cringe-worthy. The final two minutes tries to restore the rock elements. (8.66667/10)

6. "At The Gates Of Dawn" (4:17) opening with another more-Genesis palette to host a prolonged synth solo in the vein of the afore-mentioned band's "Entangled" song, this instrumental song presents a nice interlude. Very nice strings incorporation in the final two minutes. Nice song even though it feels as if it is missing something. (8.875/10)

7. "Sphinx" (6:50) once again a factor of GENESIS imitation is felt with this song (similar to the style of "Squonk"). Once again, the lyrics seem to be the most important element to the band since the contributions of the instrumentalists are very laid back and supportive, seldom flashy or isolated. (13/15)

8. "Carried By Cosmic Winds" (4:32) nice multi-keyboard opening for the first 75 seconds before bass joins in and Frank enters with the vocal. I like the way Frank's voice is incorporated more within the mix with the instruments on this song. Very cool instrumental passage filling the third minute after Frank's first verse--with vocoder and great keyboard work. Don't know why the strings were deemed necessary for the next verse and beyond as Hannes Folberth was, I think, doing quite nicely on his own. Weird, rather abrupt end to the song--and album! (9/10)

Total Time: 42:01

To my ears, this is the Eloy album that allows the keyboard mastery (and experimentalism) of Hannes Folberth to come shining through (though the contribution of authentic strings sometimes confuses or confounds this factor). Did anyone else notice the absolute absence of lead guitar solos throughout the album? Interesting! Also, the band seems to have been quite enamored and inspired by Genesis' A Trick of the Tail album since there are so many songs displaying striking elemental "similarities."

B+/four stars; an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection and the first Eloy album that I have actually felt some connection to.