THE PROPHET

Not nearly as free form or floating as most German electronica, the music of P'Cock is a blend of the synthesized mores of its time with more accessible rock, often within the same track. The vocals are fairly monotonous, perhaps intentionally, and they and the guitars are presented as foils for the main event, the keyboards of Peter Herrman. Tommy Betzler's drums are more lively than one might expect, but without ever taking charge. Among the allusions apart from the scene from which KLAUSE SCHULZE plucked them for his label are ALAN PARSONS PROJECT, ELOY, and a bit of NOVALIS and MINOTAURUS whipped in.

While the competence is unquestioned, the spirit seems unwilling, and very little stands out, with even the lengthy album closer proving tentative. Any one of the tracks would be more impressive in a different setting away from each other than they are waltzing robotically in each others' arms. While "The Prophet" might be of interests for fans of non meditative electronic music, it remains an unconvincing mix that neither sums the past nor proclaims the future. 2.5 stars rounded down.