WOLF CITY

Complete novices to the genre that seem too scared to try any of the more avant works that Krautrock offers might want to go to WOLF CITY. Most of the (relatively) short album dabbles more with old-fashioned art-rock than what Krautrock is known for. Swiss band Brainticket explored similar creative outlets in PSYCHONAUT, but that album suffers immensely from low quality material and half-hearted performances. WOLF CITY sounds like seasoned veterans with their hearts into the music.

Renate Knaup's voice is a subject of debate; me personally, hearing Brainticket's female singer makes me instantly run to this band. I would call her voice more than competent, and the two tracks (the first two) where her voice is slotted in a main role, she really adds a good tone to the song. There are other vocalists present, but they're not to offensive although ''Deutsch Nepal'' can get a little goony. The track itself sounds like a march to nowhere; even with the heavy mellotron, it's the weakest track.

Amazingly, Amon Duul II can create song-bites with a multitude of ideas and yet make each song flow smoothly. It's all about proper timing and making each idea worthwhile; Amon Duul II has this where others don't. And to top it off, the themes running around are quite catchy. Try not to get into the groove of ''Green Bubble Raincoated Man'' or ''Jail House Frog''. The former of the tracks is the highlight of the album; it builds to a spectacular climax.

The short jam title track also really deserves a strong mention for grabbing that pantheon of pure adrenaline surging hard rock. ''Sleepwalker's Timeless Bridge'' doesn't hit the same adrenaline, but it revolves around great ideas (with auxiliary percussion for flavour). It's really pleasant art-rock Krautrock the rest of the way with ''Wie der Wind?'' being entirely based on a bassline planted in the middle of ''Green Bubble Raincoated Man'' (but in a slightly different context) and ''Surrounded by the Stars'' having a Bowie feel.

If you feel too timid to get into WOLF CITY, don't. It's got a safety net for regular proggers and newcomers as to not blindingly offend them. The Krautrock fans might worry about a softening of the sound, but the tracks are of top-notch quality.

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