MARBURG

Another band from the 70´s that only recently I had the opportunity to hear. Marburg is their first release and a very strong one, by the way. Named after their hometown in Germany, it shows a maturity and confidence rarely seeing by most groups at the time. They already were delivering something of their own, although not all the experiments were successful. Instrumentallly speaking is very hard to find any flaw on this album: fantastic Hammond organ runs, fine guitar lines, very melodic flute and violin solos, a very good rhythm section.

The vocal deparmentt is a story apart: while those guys have good voices they also tried some falsettos and hamony experiences that almost ruined an otherwise almost perfect debut. Fortunatly those shrill, hysterical moments even if were present on most tracks, were used in small doses. If you can pass those few ridiculous moments, you´ll find an excellent symphonic rock that every prog fan will relish on. Production is very good for the time. Highlights are the opener The Clown And The Queen, the beautiful instrumental Moldau and the epic City Monster.

A very interesting CD, no doubt about it. A great mixture of heavy rock (a la Atomic Rooster, for exemple) and a more symphonic approach (ELP, PFM and Eloy spring in mind). If were not for the sometimes very annoying vocals I´d give it easily 4 or even 4.5 stars. As it is I can only give it 3,5 stars. Very good overall, maybe excellent, but not really essential. There were some edges to round up.