FRYHEIT/OUSFLUG

This third compilation album presents the entirety of Ougenweide's fifth and sixth studio albums on one disc, just like it's been done with the first and second album and Ohrenschmaus and Eulenspiegel (third and fourth album). This reissue of the next two Ougenweide albums is one of last year's best news for folk prog fans. While both albums had received re-releases (legit or not), this little baby is a rather indispensable for fans and newcomers alike. Both this release and the preceding one have superb booklets with an extensive group history (unfortunately this time in German only), including loads of photos (including the booklet's covers), both albums' full artworks reproduced as well as the totality of the lyrics printed as well. The sepia-coloured booklet is not as ideal as the first collection, because the two albums it features were much more coloured. A gorgeous picture adorns an excellent logo name that you will find in the previous release as well.

While I wrote reviews of the original albums in the album's respective page (so please look there for detailed reviews), what one must know is that this is about the best way for everyone to acquire their music, no matter if you are a newbie or a veteran of the group. Maybe the absence of an English translation of the liner notes stopped from enjoying equally this third 2on1 compilation, but this might also be due to the sheer repetitious nature of their music over the years. If I find Frÿheit

An excellent (and cheap) manner to get comfy with this out-of-the ordinary band, but it is advisable to not listen to the full disc in a single shot for fear of overdose: rather divide your listening sessions to the original albums separately. Outstanding value, this is the textbook case of the perfect 2-on-1 re- issue. For those interested in delving further in Ougenweide's discography, the same kind of 2on1 compilation exist with Ja-markt and Noch Aber 1st Abril coupled together. While Ougenweide remained pure and true to their original objectives, I find that by Ousflug, they'd said everything they had t say at twice, so personally I won't go further than these first sixth, which are way more than enough to enjoy the group's oeuvre.