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Amenophis - You & I CD (album) cover

YOU & I

Amenophis

 

Symphonic Prog

2.59 | 33 ratings

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Tarcisio Moura
Prog Reviewer
2 stars It´s understandable the deception a lot of people had when they heard Amenophis sophmore LP You And I. The group traded their debut´s symphonic prog to a sub par neo prog sound in 1988. Ok, it might had had some commercial pressure since they had not been successful on the first attempt, but the results are not satisfying in any way.. Original drummer Stephan Rößmann had left due to health reasons and the two remaingin members. guitarrrist Michael Rößmann and bassist Wolfgang Vollmuth were joined by three new ones: vocalist Elke Möhrle, drummer Rene Kius and keyboardist Kurt Poppe.

While not at all a total disaster, it is clear that Amenophis was trying to jump into the neo prog movement, even if it was not any novelty at the time, in fact it was waning fast. The music here is quite varied and, in this case, a bad thing, since it showed more a lack of personality than a truly versatility they seemed able to deliver. The first track, an instrumental called Opening (The Dance Of The Pyramid) is a typical 80´s neo prog guitar/synth led, very much in the vein of Marillion, but without any real hook or memorable melody line. Things star to get a little better with the second tune, Forever Is A Long time, but again it is nothing special, sounding like an Yes song leftover from Big Generator´s sessions. Möhrle´s voice is definitly forced here to mime Jon Anderson´s high pitch. Bassist Vollmuth take over lead vocals on the third track, The Key Of Life, but things do not improve much, although Rößmann´s guitar solo is quite moving.

There are three more instrumental tracks along the way: the fast Classic Contact (a typical 80´s neo prog sample) the varied, but not much satisfying (again) Interludes of Bright Wheather and the soft but dull closing track Ghostball. The best song is definitly Storm, with its strong Renaissance overtones where Elke Möhrle proves she can sing very well when her voice is in her right tone. However, Close to The Sea is the worst: Vollmuth takes the lead vocals again for this mix of musical comedy/jazzy/rap; A real waste of fine musical prowness. His Special Way is not that bad, maybe because Möhle handles the vocals and the jazz/blues/cabaret style is well suited for her. Still, far from their best.

Small wonder this album failed. Typical case where the musicians are excellent, the production is good but the songs are weak and forced.

Rating: 2,5 stars.

Tarcisio Moura | 2/5 |

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