AM FENSTER (PLATIN EDITION)

1997 was the band's 25th anniversary and when they reached the mark of 500.000 sold copies this Platin Edition was released as a compilation. Including their one-hit-wonder 'Am Fenster (Window)' of course - the guarantee for a commercial success in Germany and Greece first and foremost. CITY always remembers me at those turbulent times around 1989/90 with the german reunification as the final result. I'm quite sure I was aware of the band before that. But becoming aquainted with much more people changing over from East Germany my attention grew from now on.

There was no party missing 'Am Fenster' furthermore - and it was conspicious that this CITY song is something special and magical for many of the former GDR citizens. It can be treated as cult even though music from GDR bands generally was misliked by the people - because often dictated from the authorities. Discoteques for example were committed to play GDR music with a pre-defined percentage. Two sides of the story are playing a role - the common experiences with pressure and belief in solidarity on one side and the musical brilliance of this song apart from that. This reflects a special melancholy or disire coupled with joy of life and therefore could become one of the rare highlights.

So CITY is mostly associated with 'Am Fenster' and this Platin Edition confirms that. A complilation which contains three different versions of the song. The Dostoyevskys Single Edit is remoddeled to a mainstream/pop mix with english vocals and the Eyeless Dreams Remix with a house/techno beat should be considered as ... uaaaahhh! Just something to ignore - in the same way as most of the other tracks which are only mediocre folk and pop ballads - not really appealing to prog fans. Der King vom Prenzlauer Berg in opposite - another one from the debut album - appears as a nice heavy rock song with some substance reflecting the situation of young people living in an East Berlin district.

The album highlight is saved for the finale. Am Fenster arose from a jam session in the studio when Georgi Gogow, who had a Bulgarian origin, just began to play on his violin. Nearly 18 impressing minutes indeed - devided in three parts. First we have an acoustic guitar lift-off and later Gogow's violin is interfering - very very melancholic. An immediate break with some clock sounds in the background follows and then the band is indicating the main melody for the first time.

And now it's time to get on your feet. Based on traditional folk this song is fairly dancable when you're on a party. The song is rising and decreasing in waves - provided with psychedelic, folksy guitars and violin echoes, coupled with a catchy melody/refrain. They use mystic, cryptic lyrics - nothing more could be awaited in the light of the political situation. And this was the only chance for them to reach for gigs behind the wall as for example in 1978 for a tour in West Germany where they gave a performance for the famous 'Rockpalast' series in Dortmund.

2.5 stars only because of one real gem which confirms the band's relation to prog music. But this special piece however is recommended to be checked out by everyone who is coming in here.