01	Aufbruch						09:42
	02	Wunderschatze						10:44
	03	Sommerabend						18:19

Novalis
Sommerabend
Brain Records (PMS 7079-WP)
Germany 1976

Detlef Job, guitar, vocals;
Lutz Rahn, keyboards;
Heino Schunzel, bass, vocals;
Hartwig Biereichel, drums

Tracklist:
1. Aufbruch - 9:42
2. Wunderschatze - 10:44
3. Sommerabend - 18:19

total time 38:45


conrad

Do not listen to this album expecting virtuosic musicianship or challenging intricate compositions with strident dissonances. This is not a recording that will challenge the listener. Nevertheless, it is rewarding in its own way.

The mood of this album is somewhat reminiscent of post-Barrett Pink Floyd, with long instrumental pieces that are more about creating mood than anything else. However, whereas Pink Floyd created music to contemplate one's personal demons on a long winter night, this is music to contemplate one's beer on a long summer afternoon. The atmosphere is relaxed right from the opening of "Auffbruch", which to me is evocative of a cool burbling stream. In fact, the only times the tempo is ever picked up from a slow rock beat are during the steady accelaration at the end of "Wunderschatze" and at about twelve minute mark of "Sommerabend" during a dubious piece of overenthusiastic German rock.

Novalis bucked a trend in German popular music at the time by not singing in Engilsh. In fact, the lyrics to "Wunderschatze" is especially notable for not only being in German, but having been written by the eighteenth century German poet from whom Novalis took their name. Unfortunately, the vocals sound lifeless and dull to me. This isn't too bad in terms of the laid-back atmosphere that has been created, but I don't imagine it does a lot for the poetry.

This isn't an album that demands a lot from the listener other than to sit back and soak up the music. The musicianship is competent if rarely outstanding; the songs are put together with as little daring as possible given their length, and yet there is little here that is without merit. This isn't a must-buy album, but it certainly won't disgrace any symphonic prog collection. A safe album to pick up, if not a world-altering one.

10-20-03



c ground and sky