BLUE APPLE

This was the second and final studio by Germany's own GIFT. Released in 1974 there was some changes as the lead singer quit and one of the two lead guitarists also left. So they get another lead guitarist who also is now the lead singer and they replaced the original singer's spot with a keyboardist. So a different flavour here for sure with those keyboards that include piano, mellotron, organ and moog. I like the singer from the debut better but this new guy is good, in fact I do prefer the debut to this one by quite a bit. Interesting that on the RYM site the two albums are in a dead heat with a lot of ratings for each.

I'm sorry for this review for the fact this awful album cover has to be on the front page here for a while. I want to give my top three but I want to mention the opener, the title track just for the fact that it is so catchy on the chorus that it constantly got stuck in my head. Not a fan. First top three is "Don't Waste Your Time" another energetic vocal track, lots on here. But this is the best of those. The guitar lights it up before 2 minutes and we get some organ as well.

Second top three is "Got To Find A Way" and it's the longest at over 6 1/2 minutes. This is uptempo with organ and guitar over top. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in. Guitar solo of course but this is the most proggy tune on here and I really enjoy it. "Reflections Part 1" sounds really good when it kicks into gear before a minute. As usual we get a guitar solo but man this has to be my favourite track of the bunch. There is a part 2 but it starts out sounding nothing like part 1 at first but then quickly changes to being exactly like part 1.

I can't even say blue apple without getting stuck with that song in my head. Another good record from these guys but I much prefer the self titled debut which has better songs and vocals despite missing the keyboards.