THE BEST OF ELOY VOL. 1 - THE EARLY DAYS 1972-1975

This is an excellent "Eloy" compilation. If ever you would like to discover their early works (from 1972 to 1975), I can only recommend this album. It is very much complementary to their very good "Chronicles I" since different periods of their career are covered.

This compilation would have been phenomenal if "Land of Nobody" of the album "Inside" would have been featured. But since it was a seventeen minutes tracks, I guess that the format wasn't appropriate for a compilation. Too bad.

But don't worry, the other best two songs from "Inside" (their second album) are here. The fully hard-rocking / psychedelic "Inside" as well as "Future City".

Two of the best songs from "Floating" IMO also sit here. The fantastic "The Light From Deep Darkness", an incredible psychedelic trip and one of the best "Eloy" song ever written. Unedited and featured in its almost fifteen minutes shape. Closely related with the greatest of the early "Floyd" work. Really.

"Madhouse" is also an excellent song : a mix between psyche and the hard Tull. Quite successful I must say. Great guitar and very strong bass work for this original song. Full of madness (superb percussion work as well).

"Castle In The Air" is hypnotic, repetitive and Oriental music inspired. Just average and the weakest from this whole compilation.

The last album covered by this compilation is "Power & The Passion" (1975). From this one as well, we'll get the best three numbers (over twenty-five minutes). The long "Love Over Six Centuries" is a solid mix of "Floyd" ("Careful With That Axe Eugene") and "Heep" depending on the passages : wild or spacey.

"Mutiny" is also a vibrant psychedelic anthem. Like almost all songs featured on this excellent compilation album. This period from "Eloy"s career was the one that I liked best (well actually till "Silent Cries..." in 1979 the band will deliver great albums).

To proof me wrong, "The Bells of Notre Dame" is fully symphonic and sweet. It is building crescendo and finishes in a wonderful guitar part. Very emotional and dark song.

For less than six ? (+ shipment) this CD is available on the Internet. It is really a bargain for so much (over seventy minutes) and so good music. A great way to discover this good German band.

Four stars.