REALITY FILLS FANTASY

By the time the band released their sixth studio album, in 1979, things have changed a lot. The only remaning original members were vocalist Jerney Kaagman and the Koerts brothers. They were dropped by their former recording company and got a new contract. I wonder if the new songs had anything to do with their losing their former label. Their music by now had shed away all the experimentalism and, unfortunatly, much of their musical personality. Not that everything here is bad. In fact, the first three tracks are really very good: the 10 minute People Come, People Go is probalby the LP´s highlight, with a terrific melody line, excellent guitar and keys and a nice build up, even if an intrusive saxophone makes it a little bland at parts. Fire Of Love is another powerful number highlighted by its ominous guitar riff and strong rhythm section. The caribbean tinged Weekend is another fine pop song led by steel drums and timbales, it has a irresistable chorus.

However, from then on, it´s all little more than mediocre disco stuff. Disco was already passé in 1979, but it seemed that the band (and/or recording company) did not notice it. And the quality of the songs take a nosedive here: Can´t Live Without You Anymore is definitly their worst tune thus far. So slick and overproduced it sounds like Kaagman is singing solo accompained by a studio disco band, not the former prog group. Where Are You could be a good ballad if the arrangements were a little more creative. The same goes for the more uptempo Season Of The Falling Leaves and the instrumental Answer Me. In fact, the only reason I could hear the whole album more than once is because Kaagmam is an extraordinaire singer and capable of bringing some life even to the lamest stuff. She is the one who makes this album bearable and even pleasant (if you forget their past and have an open musical mind, of course)

Conclusion: it´s really a shame to see a fantastic band like this, which seemed to be in 1976 at the brink of becoming something really original turning up with such weak album in 1979. They were hardly the only ones to do so at the time, but it was still a big disapointment. With only 3 good songs and a few more embarassing moments, this is by far their lowest point in the 70´s. Definitly for collectors and hardcore fans. Two stars.