LOS SOUNDS DE KRAUTS

3.5 stars. Man this was a tough one to rate because it's so inconsistent yet it hits some real highs. It bugs me too that my least favourite track is the opener, such a disappointment but I was so glad the shouting vocals on this one are only repeated on one other song. COLOUR HAZE are a Psychedelic band out of Germany and they've been fairly consistent at releasing albums since forming in 1994. Something like 12 studio albums over 25 years. I have the trio of albums starting with this one from 2003 along with the next two including the self titled release that follows this one and the next one "Tempel" from 2006.

These guys are a trio of bass, drums and guitar and we do get vocals in English. They have divided this double album into four sections including West, South, East and North with 3 songs each except for East which has two because of that 18 minute track. These guys like to jam and the guitar really is the focus. We do get a couple of guests including Fender Rhodes on "Zen" and organ on "Overriding".

Again that opener really put me off with those vocals. Man my first listen was disappointing because I'm thinking that I'm going to be putting up with that vocal style throughout the 90 minutes but thankfully no. So I have a top four with one in each direction you could say. First is from West and it's "Roses" and the vocals are relaxed here sounding good while the sound is catchy and oh so good. After 3 minutes the guitar really impresses.

"247" is the short track from the South. A cool uptempo piece with high pitched guitar leads and vocals. "Weltraummantra" is the 18 minute beast from the East. They take their time to up the ante as it starts sparse, dark, experimental and spacey. Some outbursts will come and go. My favourite though is the other long track in "Overriding" with that guest organ arriving around 11 minutes in on this over 17 minute tune. But it's those passionate vocals reminding me a little of ALICE IN CHAINS that gets my juices flowing. Funny in each of the four sections I have a favourite and least favourite, go figure, but proof for my tastes that this isn't quite a four star release. Impressed enough though that I'm reviewing the other two records in the coming weeks and looking forward to them.