ROCKPOMMEL'S LAND

The Roger Dean-like cover tells it all: as soon as you put the record on you´ll know Grobschnitt´s greater influence (at least for this album): Yes. Fortunatly those germans don´t try to emulate Jon Anderson´s angelic vocals, neither that group´s harmonies. So while the music isn´t all that original, it is very good and symphonic in a good way. The vocals are quite different, sometimes bordering the whimisical side of it (as I always heard Grobschinitt was).

This is a concept album, but you can live without understanding the storyline (a bit too silly for my taste). The music is very good and while it might takes some spins to really sink in, it is quite addictive. Excellent guitar and keybaords work (much in the vein of Yes, of course), while the drum patterns are very creative, different and give a special colouring to the music (and fits the concept very well). Like I said before vocals are the most original and intriguing aspects of this band´s sound landscape: half sung, half spoken, you don´t know if those guys are acting out or just being funny. Actually they are ok for this record in its own way. Certainly the singer knows how to interpretate the characters convincily.

In all there are only 4 tracks, the ost interesting being the title track with its almost 20 minute duration. It is on this track that we are able to appreciate all the fine nuances this group is cappable of. The ending part is quite poignant. Nothing to write home about it, but very good nevertheless. Productin is ok. My CD came with an extra track, the instrumental Tontillon, a very strong tune as good as (or even better) than the original other four.

All in all a fine CD. Not really essential nor very original, but very interesting and enjoyable. 3,5 stars.