Eiliff can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. There's a certain sound I love about Krautrock, and in Eiliff I hear everything that I could possibly want. Chunky, riffy Hammond Organ; fuzzed out Rhodes; loud electric acid guitar; jazzy rhythms; vocals that are bonkers; tripped out saxophone; fuzzy bass; alien atmosphere. Their debut is even better, and yet I couldn't possibly rate this second album any less than a Masterpiece.
Ownership: LP: 2015 Long Hair; CD: 1994 SPM / World Wide Music. I first discovered this album via the original LP sometime in the early 90s. After obtaining the CD upon release, I sold the LP. Today, I would keep it, though at the time I was still in heavy acquisition mode, and needed all the funds I could get (I know many of my old compadres can relate to me here!). It should also be mentioned that the LP was hardly in mint condition, but definitely a VG copy. I do hope to obtain again, but the price has remained stubbornly too high.
So what about the cover anyway? The two aging hookers (the Eiliff guys in drag it would appear) are certainly not appealing, though I do like the contemporary early 70s German apartment - and the back cover features our gals/dudes walking down a peaceful leafy neighborhood, which is different than most covers of the era. I'm sure there's an interesting story behind the cover concept, but we don't know what it is. As Garden of Delights notes in their liners inside of Close Encounter With Their Third One: "One had really wished for a bit more care and attention" (regarding the SPM reissues), while also noting the omission of a rare single. Even though the CD is basic, I would keep it just for the car ride along. It's perfect for the road - high energy!
In 2016, I purchased the Long Hair LP reissue from a friend. I still haven't heard it yet, though one colleague warns me it doesn't have the best mastering. There are two bonus tracks (the aforementioned single) and unique liner notes to consider as well. Like many of the Long Hair LP reissues, the cover is a bit too "blown up".
In 2016, I purchased the Long Hair LP reissue from a friend. I still haven't heard it yet, though one colleague warns me it doesn't have the best mastering. There are two bonus tracks (the aforementioned single) and unique liner notes to consider as well. Like many of the Long Hair LP reissues, the cover is a bit too "blown up".
new entry; 1/9/22
About as great as it gets in the classic prog department... the cover must be that bizarre german humour or humor as you guys say ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Tom!
ReplyDeleteI am quite sure that these two hookers were disguised band members ... ;-)
See also the Cover of the first Brainstorm LP. Somehow somebody in Germany around that time thought that this kind of cover art is funny.
Greetings!
Achim
LOL - Achim, I think you're right. Look at the arms of the one sitting down! Yep - the first Brainstorm is even more hideous. Yea, the guys in drag thing is definitely an acquired taste... I just thought they were old hookers... haha.
ReplyDelete