OPERATION

No major changes in their musical style between their debut and this "Operation". Their anti-clerical opinions shone again. Not only the name of the band is deeply inspired, but the sleeve design for this album is pretty much daring for the era (1971). Bravo. I fully share their views and opinions.

Heavy psychedelia like in the good old days. Same comments as for their debut : the Purple influence sits everywhere, but the most noticeably is the organ play. During the energetic "Stop Little Lady" it seems that Reinjhold Sobotta went to some private lessons to Jon Lord's classes (he will leave the band after this recording; Sobottta, I mean). A very good opening.

The rhythm keeps all its frenzy with the great "Just Before The Sun Will Rise". This time, the guitar is even noticeable, but the highlight is of course the extraordinary keyboard play. I mentioned this already in my previous review for "Birth Control", but if you ever have dreamed to listen to a cloning of Lord and Hensley, do listen to this band. It is amazing, even if not fully original.

The band could hardly keep on the same great mood (otherwise this album would have been a masterpiece). "The work is done" and "Flesh and blood" do keep on with the psyche influences but aren't really catchy. Impossible to call them fillers, but they are shy when compared to both opening songs.

The band gets back into better territories with "Pandemonium". Organ play is HUGE. Really on par with the greatest ones. The only problem for this piece is probably the song writing, because the efficiency of the band is never to be criticized.

The closing and longest number "Let Us Do It Now" (one can hardly be more specific) of this album is not really deliver the expectations. The orchestrations are of course a strong minus as far as I am concerned. Totally irrelevant as far as I'm concerned. While I could wonderfully cope with ELO, I believe that a band like "Birth Control" shouldn't cope with this.

Nevertheless, Operation is a good album. Full of great psychedelia.

I strongly advise you to investigate with this band if the typical sound of the late sixties / early seventies doesn't provoke some pimples on your face (or elsewhere).

Three stars.