OUT OF THE ASHES

Second efford from this little known german band of the 70´s, with a hideous name (Pancake? Oh, c´mon!). This time there were some line up changes, with one less guitar player and a keyboardist added. Gone were also the Wishbone Ash influences. The band now played a much more krautrock sound, with soft keys (mostly Hammond organ) and nice guitar parts. The vocals are typical of that style, I mean, weak. Sometimes you wonder why they hired Rener Röhm to sing (friendship? maybe).

However, it is obvious they did evolve from their mediocre debut. The songs are much more well structured, the arrangements are more imaginative and the overall production is much better. Not that Pancake is very original: the first track Painted Rush-Hour is a Gentle Giant rip off in all aspects. Fortunatly, this and the beginning of Rainbow Suite are the only ones, for the rest of the record leans much more toward the space rock/psychedelic book of rules and in this field they are quite good, although not original nor groundbreaking. Songs like Rainbow suite and Artc Ocean are over the nine minute mark with good guitar lines, and the title track has a terrific instrumental part, reminding me of early Eloy.

In all a vast improvement over their first efford. it made me curious to hear their third album. If you´re into krautrock but ypu´re not a very demanding fan, Out Of The Ashes is recommended.

Rating: 2,5 stars that I will round up to three because I think they deserved so after such a quality leap.