JUMBO

This review is based on the English language version of the album, which is the only one I have. "Ballerman" had proposed two possible directions for the band, symphonic a la YES/GENESIS and space rock, sort of a la FLOYD. Arguably, the space rock approach was more distinctive in Grobschnitt's case, but with Jumbo they make their decision to move further into well worn symphonic territory.

While the approach is well implemented, pieces like "The Clown" and much of "Dream and Reality" are generally somewhat less appealing than those in the first part of "Ballerman", even if mellotron sprigs are strewn liberally about, beginning on "The Excursion of Father Smith". The highlight is definitely "Sunny Sunday's Sunset", also the longest cut, which evolves from a hypnotic start into Grobschnitt's most perfectly realized circus-like meter and beyond, not unlike, but superior to, that which NEKTAR tentatively explored on "Down to Earth". The vocal histrionics and the pedal guitars in the denouement are also skillfully integrated. Eroc really masters the skins here and won't let up on them.

So while "Jumbo" is not the giant that was "Ballerman", and is rather skimpy on quantity, it is certainly worth hearing if you enjoyed the predecessor. 3.5 stars rounded down.