LAVA

There are many German bands from the early part of the seventies that could be described as either Heavy-Prog or Krautrock and in my experience it's been a hit and miss affair. I just never know until I can hear the whole album over time to give a proper evaluation. LAVA released this one record in 1973 and Conny Plank produced and engineered it. He also plays a guitar solo on the track "Would Be Better You Run". This is a melancholic album with a vocalist that reminds me of CAN's Malcom Moody although the drummer sings on one track and sounds nothing like that. Three of the six band members are multi-instrumentalists as well.

"Tears Are Goin' Home" opens with distorted guitars then it kicks in to an uptempo rocker with vocals sounding very much like HAWKWIND. Spoken words after 2 1/2 minutes as it settles back briefly then away we go again. "Crimes Of Love" is my favourite. The drummer sings and we get a laid back sound with a beat and floating organ. Flute before 3 minutes as that underlying power that is just below the surface bubbles up. It never bursts forth though. Amazing tune ! "Would Be Better You Run" has strummed guitar and vocals standing out. A catchy tune that is folky. "All My Love To You" is where we get a CAN vibe because of the groove and vocals. They repeat the title of this song a lot.

"(I'm Just A) Mad Dog" is where the guitarist plays bass and the bass player offers up a guitar solo. Go figure ? Intricate sounds with not much going on really until before 2 minutes when almost spoken vocals come in. It picks up after 3 minutes. CAN comes to mind with that groove and we get harmonica too. Excellent track. "Holy Fool" is a melancholic song that has strummed guitar and reserved vocals. "Pice Of Peace" is the over 10 minute closer and my second favourite. Relaxed piano to open as cymbals and bass join in. Drums follow. The electric guitar is laid back after 3 1/2 minutes as the beat, bass and piano continue. A melancholic jam. More energy 7 1/2 minutes in then it settles right down a minute later to the end.

A low 4 stars but an album that clicks with me.

LAVA was part of the Berlin underground music scene but produced one album only. Founded in 1971 they developed typically for this time. Brought together spontaneously more or less by the interest of some musicans to play improvised free-minded music in connection with the use of drugs and then disbanded 1974 after Thomas Karrenbach had died.

The title track Tears Are Goin' Home is a space rock tune principally, nearly in the vein of Hawkwind but lacking of synth contributions. A promising weird guitar appears at the beginning and the song later developes to a straightforward rocking thing. The next one Crimes Of Love marks the turn to catchy melodies. This is holding up a repetitive heavy rock blues perfectly fitting to a 70s party. And then you will stumble upon some american westcoast and folk infected songs with acoustic guitar furthermore.

(I'm Just A) Mad Dog is the next one which attracts my attention - mellow with nice piano appearance this must be the result of a jam basically. Holy Fool appeals to me because played much deeper in psychedelic supported by a monotonous bass - a nice song dominated by three acoustic guitars. Piece of peace continues in this mood - a meandering and floating jam - smooth - for me the album's highlight.

'Tears Are Goin' Home' is a quite good semi-psych album. Keyboarder Thomas Karrenbach arranges perfect vocals in english which is charming and unique. On the other hand this is bearing prog ingredients only half way. You will find some catchy songs though - listenable without a doubt.