WE´RE GOD

After finally releasing their first ever work, Rascal Reporters followed almost immediately ''Freaks Obscure'' with another cassette on the Eurorock label.This was also released in 1980, entitled ''We're God'', followed the next year by the single ''Guns for Jerry's Kids / Beatrice''.Both the cassette and single tracks along with four bonus pieces were re-released in 1997 on CD by the unkown US label Wafer.

It is reasonable that ''We're God'' has a sound extremely comparable to ''Freaks obscure'', as the two cassettes were released with only a few months break.The original album contains fourteen compositions, from tiny instrumental pieces to lengthy demanding compositions, flirting with the likings of Jazz Rock , Avant-Prog and R.I.O., again delivering influences from THE MUFFINS, GENTLE GIANT and FRANK ZAPPA in a stylistically extreme package.The music is pretty good if speaking for Gore and Kretzmer's performances, once more though it remains very untight and over the top as a whole.The vocals have often a humurous and even cartoon-ish edge, on the contrary the instrumental moments are pretty serious and often captivating, full of complex themes and multiple breaks.It is based on obscure, often dual keyboard textures, frenetic piano lines and strong use of melodica that adds the R.I.O. touches here and there, ranging from complicated, almost nonsense themes to more harmonic and refined moments.Among this basic style of music there are also moments, where the duo chooses to offer noisy synth-drenched material or softer soundscapes either based on piano or (again) on synthesizers.

Again the final feeling is mixed and unconveincing.This duo was made for great things, but they stand next to themselves with much of this album delivered in inconsistent mannerisms, not to mention the average sound quality.Pitty, because often you get some sort of pre-ECHOLYN feeling listening to their material.A bit better than their debut, but still recommended only to fans of unusual Avant Prog/R.I.O. stuff...2.5 stars.