FINSTERE SONNE / BLACK SUN

With 9 years separating "Finisterre Sonne" from the prior "Fata Morgana", FLAMING BESS survived a second lengthy sabbatical to record again. Sadly, I don't have much else positive to say about this effort. The near incessant electronic keyboards and percussion rarely yield more than a moment or two of interest. The symphonic and acoustic dimensions are largely abandoned in favour of funky electronica, "lite jazz" and gimmickry. Composition was never the group's forte but it was always detectable. Still BESS were primarily notable for their arrangements, atmospheres and instrumental powers, all of which failed to make it to the station/studio on time.

The narrative breaks conveying further installments to the story of Bess continue but whereas before they upset the musical flow, here they are almost welcome in relation to their surroundings. Elsewhere, although more or less sung vocals are occasionally present, the songs are sheer drudgery. Only "Ruhe vor dem Sturm" is remotely worthy of the FLAMING BESS name, with a fine build up on vocals by Lucy Wende, acoustic guitar and dreamy keys. Still it's far too little and you'd be quite excused if you didn't make it that far. There are so many low lights that I don't know where to begin, but let's say "Kampf um Dig Dagg" would have been rejected as theme music for a C grade low budget Cold War spy flick even if offered gratis.

I don't know the history behind the near decade absence and the making of "Finisterre Sonne", but it sounds as though they felt that they had to record something yesterday or the window of opportunity might never return. Whatever the reason, this black sun is the bete noire of the FLAMING BESS discography. Avoid at any cost.