SING, FOR SONGS DRIVE AWAY THE WOLVES

Interesting collection prepared by Florian Fricke for American and world wide release on Milan label. Two new compostions - "Song of the High Mountains" in Oriental style and short ambiental track "Sweet Repose". Other compositions are from the albums "Coeur de Verre", "Seligpreisung", "Einsjager & Sebensjager" but with the titles in English. They are presenting "raga rock" period of Popol Vuh, i.o. rock with Oriental roots - instrumental tracks with repetitive mantric feelins and long epic compostion "Einsjäger & Siebenjäger" ("You Shouldn't Awake Your Beloved Before It Pleases Her ") with the vocals by Djong Yun. In company with the new young (for that time) member of Popol Vuh - Guido Hieronymus - Florian Fricke remixed old compostions, partly rerecorded them, added keyboards and bass parties. As a result familiar for old listener of Popol Vuh music sounds more tight and polished. If you like authentic sound of the 70s - "Sing, for the Song Drives Away the Wolves" wouldn't impress you. I'm the man of the 80s - so I like this collection.

I must admit, I know very little about this band, other than this one album, which Ireceived as a promo at the time of it's release. It interested me at the time because I remembered hearing the name on a progressive college radio station I used to listen to.

This album is somewhat timeless, mainly because of the nice, but noninvasive music throughout. The majority of the songs are spacy jams, based on different ethnic styles. There is an Indian raga flavor to Song Of The High Mountain, and a Middle Eastern theme to Dance Of The Hassidim (what else?). The oddest thing, is that no matter what style the music is in, the guitar and piano keep making me think of The Allman Brothers Band.

The best track is the nineteen minute You Shouldn't Awake Your Beloved Before It Pleases Her, an almost symphonic piece, that builds and recedes in a nice wave.

Popol Vuh anno 1993 only vaguely reminds of the intricate music that the band created in the 70s. The music is watered down to a 'Popol light' version (or 'Muzak Vuh' if you like), this is mainly due to the use of drum computers and the rather straightforward songwriting, with too much safe and easy-listening melodies. The ingredients are much the same though, instrumental music with a very acoustic sound and esoteric influences, but the chemistry simply doesn't work.

Like other Popol Vuh soundtracks, this is a compilation of new and old material, some of it reworked or remixed. An original 70s piece such as 'Keepers of the Threshold' gives ample demonstration of how good Popol Vuh's stuff was back in the day. The long 'You Shouldn't Awake...' is a remix and partially re-recorded version of 'Einsjäger & Siebenjäger'. I can't say the sound is much improved, but for sure all exitement has been mixed out entirely. Avoid.