BALLADS OF A BURDEN

A surprisingly good album from this young German fellows. The band's core originally started with another project name 'Zaphire Oktalogue' and produced one album in 2008. As for that matter you can treat 'Ballads Of A Burden' like a new debut. The six songs are elaborated compositions, worked out with heart and soul, believe me! They use folk and popular elements, orchestrated brass instruments ... however finally OKTA LOGUE of course are intensively psychedelic music inspired too.

Let's start with Bright Lights - the relaxed opener, so comfortable ... and tricky as well (including the sudden end), decorated with multiple psych guitars and nice hammond attendance. Coooool stuff, which I normally would only expect from looooongtime experienced musicians. And the vocals ... all in all - if I wouldn't know it better - I should assume that the band is hailing from the UK or even the States. No, the world is not out of joint, not yet! Additionally we have the mysterious country folk flavoured Deal With The Digger which also holds a first glimmer of orchestration I would say, when showing some trumpet input and drums reduced on timbal.

The weird Mr. Zoot Suit seems to get out of line completely with a slight avant approach, far-reaching from impressions suitable for a marksmen's festival to fantastic spacey guitars - oh my god! Starting Pink Floyd inspired Shine Like Gold is made in order to offer an opulent orchestral excursion in the end. The emotional psychedelic Decay is reserved for the LP flipside alone and comes as the album's ultimate highlight. Rich in variety and atmosphere, a blend of spheric Eloy moments, groovy parts, samples, they know how to make it!

With 'Ballads Of A Burden' they have graduated so to say, this is an entertaining album presented in an unique outfit ... yes, something for gourmets ... provided with a retro flavour and a wide musical spectrum, hard to categorize. Ballads yes, as the album title implies - but don't know why this should be a burden by the way ... okay, maybe because I was too lazy to analyse the lyrics. Very professional, and this also applies to their video pointing to the opener 'Bright Lights' where new member Nicolai Hildebrandt is involved, at least considering the making - I strongly recommend to check this one out - 4.5 stars.