UHRSPRUNG

This is one of those albums where the word "obscure" is not an exaggeration in the least. Just try finding information about this band and you'll see what I mean. Also it has yet to be released on cd which certainly helps keep this band from becoming more well known. It's interesting that they sing in German because most Krautrock bands sang in English. The thing that struck me the most when I first heard it was the vocals which are interesting to say the least. While this band is listed under Krautrock(and I don't disagree with that) there are lots of Symphonic flourishes which bring GROBSCHNITT to mind. Still this is an adventerous album with lots of interesting ideas. Bizarre is a word that comes to mind quite often.

"Famile" gets things started and it starts with a clock ticking then an alarm going off before the band kicks in hard. It then settles right down as solo double tracked vocals come in(yikes) then organ and spoken words which really remind me of WIGWAM's "Pride Of The Biosphere". It does kick back in quickly though. Love the melancholy 2 minutes in, especially the synths as the vocals return. Great sound again before 4 minutes with all that melancholy. Nice guitar here as well. And check out the drumming late. Nice. "Schule" opens with the sounds of an office I think with the phones ringing and people talking in the background. It kicks in with some nice bass and drums as the vocals join in. Man I really enjoy the instrumental work, especially the synths which sound really good. A guitar solo is followed by flute before 3 minutes. More excellent bass and drums in this almost all instrumental track.

The last three songs are all over 8 minutes in length and "Betrieb" is up first. This is more Symphonic and laid back with lots of vocals early on. The guitar grinds away after 2 minutes as the vocals return almost speaking the lyrics as the guitar continues. A change 3 1/2 minutes in as it becomes silly including the vocals. Another change before 5 minutes as percussion leads the way with distant vocals. "Staat Und Solidaritatslied" picks up quickly with synths, drums and flute leading the way. Vocals join in. This is really good. A calm after a minute but not for long. Great sound after 1 1/2 minutes. Passionate vocals join in. Catchy stuff before 4 minutes then we get a calm with synths and melancholic guitar taking over. Vocals are back. Organ after 5 1/2 minutes then it kicks in hard with guitar. Nice. Such a proggy track. "Der Traum Des Schmieds" blesses us with those melancholic synths before it turns heavy briefly. Vocals and a calm follow as this continues until after 2 1/2 minutes when it picks up without vocals. Vocals are back as the heaviness comes and go. Check out the guitar after 4 1/2 minutes. Great sound here. Melancholic synths are back as the guitar stops. A Symphonic vibe takes over reminding me of YES after 6 minutes.

Man those vocals have character although they certainly won't be for everyone. This is a real find for me though as that Krautrock spirit is felt throughout this album. Adventerous and interesting are words that come to mind. A solid 4 stars and maybe closer to 4.5 stars.