MOON OF OSTARA

Fred Laird is wellknown as the frontman of psychedelic/space band Earthling Society - an outfit which has convinced me during recent years due to a trademark promising diversity with every new album. This time he appears under a new moniker - MOON OF OSTARA - and intensively drifts into krautrock excursions. Hereby he claims to be inspired by Walter Wegmüller's concept album 'Tarot', which - under the direction of R.U. Kaiser - was implemented by a German supergroup in 1972. The term Ostara derives from the German mythology and labels the goddess of spring - and so the story behind is about the star child - born at the first day of spring after the earth goddess had opened her gates ...

Including drum programming Fred Laird handles nearly every instrument on his own ... with the exception that Jon Blacow collaborates on two tracks. Appearing very experimental Part 1 reminds me of Popol Vuh a bit while being infiltrated with weird funfair and xylophone similar keyboard input as well as twittering synths. The lyrics are hard to explore due to a distorted voice. Provided with a wonderful somnambulistic atmosphere Part 2 marks the album highlight. It's a hallucinogenic journey featuring repetitive and echoed multiple guitar work in best tradition of Manuel Göttsching, Achim Reichel or Günther Schickert.

The shorter third part marks a turn to the electronic playground again with an uptempo looping motif reminiscent to Harmonia - also anticipating some new wave appeal quasi. The dark mooded Part 4 is dominated by luxuriant synth patterns then ... but also shows Jon Blacow on drums contrasting with a lively share surprisingly. 4Zero Records have released another high quality production, definitely picking up this peculiar mood which is mirroring the change of attitude in Germany during the 1970s. So 'The Star Child' is something special, not comfort food essentially, dedicated to music fans who are feeling happy on experimental paths first and foremost.