LILIENTAL

Here's an obscurity that Cluster fans (and Krautrock fans in general) would enjoy. Unfortunately, it's never been released on CD, and few copies of the LP were pressed (so I assume). A low-key, under-composed album that gives the impression of being little more than a fun time in the studio for the musicians, this is still worth having if the price is right. My favorite song is "Wattwurm", since it has a catchy, repetitive melody that is driven by a nice synth. Can't say much more right now, since I haven't listened to the LP in many years.

Dieter Moebius side project with the prolific Conny Plank. "Liliental" is in the progression of kraut/electronic publications from Harmonia and Cluster late 70's. Consequently the music is a delicate hybridation between pure ambient synth-scapes and post-rocking arrangements. "Stresemannstrasse" delivers a beautiful, meditative little piece for minimal piano, guitar experimentations, rhythmical electronic. With long, monotonous bass lines, guitar effects and deep synth chords, "Adel" is a charming electronic experimentation that can remind some Cluster / Eno stuffs. The last minutes of synth chorus are deeply emotional, almost angelic! "Wattwurm" is a pop orientated composition in the genre of Kraftwerk, cheesy electronic textures with a discreet "exotic" vibe. "Vielharmonie" is an atmospheric psych ambient composition with floating sax parts. "Nachsaison" is an eclectic taste of proggy synth lines mixed with fantasist, melodic pop accents. A nice album but nothing essential. Highly recommended for fans of Cluster, Brian Eno and Harmonia's family tree.

An electronic journey through Liliental ...

LILIENTAL is really a nice name for this project and must be derivated from the eponymous region in the south west of germany. The musicians released one effort with this line-up - purchased on vinyl only, what I know. It needs some time to get in. Coming from diverse bands respectively projects and representing different styles they had probably the intention to build a new supergroup. Surely interesting for electronic prog fans who like Asmus Tietchens' work and Cluster. The music is relaxed with a minimalistic accompaniment by usual instruments like piano, acoustic guitar and percussion. Ambient with psychedelic and spacy impressions which are also transitions to krautrock. Helmut Hattler's attendance is somewhat mysterious for me and I cannot really detect noticable contributions except on the last song.

Stresemannstrasse starts very impressing with suspense and something like a boogie woogie rhythm but if you expect jazz rock contributions after a while by Hattler (who is known for playing a punching bass for Kraan) you will be disappointed - the following songs are very ambient though. The scary Adel is provided with a musical saw played by Okko Bekker, Wattwurm in a happy mood and with minimalistic percussion work. The other songs are containing some jazzy elements due to e-piano and Pappert's saxophone whereas Nachsaison is controlled by a repetitive theme.

LILIENTAL is unique but not essential - interesting for electronic ambient oriented aficionados anyhow. Maybe also for completionists who want to be provided with all contributions of the Kraan members - 3 stars.

A playful little album which is surprising considering Mr dour concrete electronics Asmus Tietchens is present.

Proceedings are laid back with lots of electronics contributed by 'Cluster's' Moebius and master Krautrock production wizard Conny Plank. Pretty little tunes consisting of odd electronic noodlings emerge from seemingly fumbling fingers that hit all the wrong notes. "Liliental' is surprisingly good even though it doesn't have the foggiest idea as to where it's heading. It sounds like an experiment.

Special mention must be made for 'Wattwurm' - clearly the best tune on the album and hideously catchy. This is the one point where everyone 'clicks', producing something beautiful that reminds me of the more playful side of 'Cluster'. Most of the rest is somewhat forgettable, but this album has it's moments. Not bad.

Without question a disappointing album considering the musicians who are on it. A six piece band out of Germany with two members from KRAAN in Hattler(bass) and Pappert(sax, bass, flute) along with the band leader Dieter Moebius from bands like CLUSTER and HARMONIA. We get Okko Bekker from A.R. & MACHINES and Conny Plank a well known producer in the Krautrock realm. Lots of synths on this one but it just feels like there's very little that's memorable with this recording. Hattler is one of the best bass players on the planet but his skills aren't used here the way they should be. The one song that I do like is "Wattwurm" that brings HARMONIA to mind but the closer which is jazzy still fails in my opinion with those smooth horns. This just could have been so much more adventerous instead of being vanilla. Just my opinion.