ODIN

3.5 stars. ODIN were a multi-national band based in Germany, not a British quartet as the bio here says. We get a German keyboardist, Dutch guitarist and two Brits make up the rhythm section. Vocals are in English and this sole recording by them was released in 1972. This is close to a four star record for me but man right from the first spin that 9 minute track "Gemini" just turns me off. This is a 38 minute album divided into seven songs.

These guys do impress instrumentally while the vocals do bring the early seventies to mind. "Life Is Only" is the 11 minute opener and the highlight for me is that Canterbury organ around 7 1/2 minutes but the organ does impress throughout this track with the guitar the two lead instruments on this album. A pretty good opener but I prefer the next one "Tribute To Frank" a short 2 minute Zappa influenced tune with vibes and lots of percussion. The next one "Turnpike Lane" also brings Zappa to mind but less so. Those funny wordless vocals also bring FOCUS to mind.

"Gemini" is a straight up hard rocking tune with out front vocals that I'm not into at all. "Eucalyptus" is kind of cool with the sounds that echo and the abundance of atmosphere. The closer along with the two Zappa inspired tracks are my top three. The closer "Clown" is just a great sounding 8 1/2 minute piece that is adventerous and I like that guitar and nasty organ early on especially. Even the vocals sound better here. The music is quite intense at times contrasted with those uplifting sections.

A solid album that beats pretty much all the Proto-Prog I've heard but it's not without it's flaws.