VIDUNDERLIGE KÆLLING [AKA: ASTARTE]

Secret Oyster's third album fulfills the prog potential and direction that was suggested on their previous two albums.

Side One (The Astarte Suite) (what I call the "German" side):

1. "Intro" (2:10) all keyboard for the first 30 seconds, then flanged drums, electric bass, electric guitar and treated sax enter to give it a futuristic (though now dated) feel. Is this an indication that the band is moving more toward the progressive rock domain? (4.333/5)

2. "Stjernerne pa gaden (The Stars in the Street)" (5:41) veering away from the Popol Vuh-like Kosmische Musik they seemed to be exploring on the last album (especially on the second side), the band is still obviously deeply entranced by the new world of synthesizers and electronic effects. (8.75/10)

3. "Sirenerne (The Sirens)" (5:03) though elements here seem to indicate J-R Fusion, the song really comes across more as a dramatic/cinematic prog song akin to the music being made below the border by bands like The Eloy and Grobschnitt. This flow and constancy of this song is making it seem as if the band is trying to create a suite of Eloy-like space/psychedelic music. (8.875/10)

4. "Astarte" (6:28) the theme/suite continues, here developing into a futuristic smorgasbord of synthetics and odd associates (Moog, sitar, electric guitars, reverb saxophones) over hypnotic drum and bass (though still more proggy than Kosmische/Krautrock). I like the slow and insidious build up of tension and volume over the course of the entire six and a half minutes. (9/10)

Side Two (The "French" Side):

5. "Solitude" (4:07) Side Two starts with a SATIE-like piano piece that is supported by some synth and bass. Obviously we're finished with the single-flow theme that was Side One. Pretty and filled with mystery and uncertainty, even frailty, it's a beautiful piece that serves well as a transitional bridge. (9.333/10)

6. "Tango-bourgeoise" (2:47) an odd piece--like something from Kitaro or Tomita in which the band attempts to render some classical piece via electronics. (8.667/10) 7. "Bellevue" (3:20) more silliness made possible through the use of electronics. Nice funk-rock rhythm track. Inspired by the musical explorations of Jean Michel Jarre? (8.75/10)

8. "Valse du soir" (1:55) accordion music! (Or have I been duped into believing that a synthesizer-generated sound is an accordion?!) I love this type of music (as well as the accordion) but should I be impressed or perturbed that this sits pretty on a supposed-Jazz-Rock Fusion (or progressive rock) album? I guess Yes' seminal Fragile album gave rock artists a lot of license, grace, and leeway. (9/10)

9. "Outro" (5:06) back to the hard-driving ELOY-like space rock. Awesome foundation from the rhythm section--as well as awesome play from them--especially Jess Staehr and Ole Streenberg. The interwoven synths, guitar, and sax solos are nice, too. (9/10)

Total Time 36:37

The least Jazz-Rock Fusion of this band's supposed Fusion output. I've read that the band was literally recording the material for this album at the same time as that for Krakenhaus--sometimes splitting their days and nights between the two! Perhaps that is how/why this album comes across as

B+/four stars; an excellent display of two-sided split personalities: the Germanic Space/Psychedelic Prog of Side One and the ambiguous Gallic themes of Side Two. Definitely recommended to all prog lovers.

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