PLANETS

This is one of the two Eloy albums I own and although Ocean has the upper hand Planets is not that far behind. Once again I find it difficult to enjoy Frank Bornemann's vocals because of his accent and Mysterious Monolith is certainly one of the more extreme examples of my case and point.

What makes this album a bit less interesting in comparison to Ocean are the shorter track lengths which take away the opportunity of establishing an atmosphere which is a must have when it comes to space rock! Gone is also the magnificent drum work by Jürgen Rosenthal that made Ocean into a real treat.

On the positive note the album doesn't sound all that much like an 80's release although it doesn't have the 70's sound either. It's mostly a mix of the two and I like it! Overall it's an enjoyable space rock title and a must-have for most genre enthusiasts. I also believe that Planets can be a good introduction album since the shorter track lengths can actually be easier to digest for anyone who is new to space rock.

***** star songs: Sphinx (6:50)

**** star songs: Introduction (1:58) On The Verge Of Darkening Lights (5:37) Point Of No Return (5:45) Mysterious Monolith (7:40) At The Gates Of Dawn (4:17) Carried By Cosmic Winds (4:32)

*** star songs: Queen Of The Night (5:22)