Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Exponent ~ Germany


Upside Down (1974 / 2014)

Well... here's the next big thing for archival progressive rock collectors. Imagine Spektakel as played by Eloy. This is more German symphonic than classic Krautrock, and I know many of you are nodding your head to that observation. This is a dream for keyboard fans, and there's oodles of organ, Moog, electric piano, and mellotron to absorb and treasure. While there is guitar, it plays second banana to the awesome banks of keyboards. And, as indicated prior, the album is geared more towards the symphonic progressive genre with plenty of meter breaks and compositional acumen. This is not an atmospheric Krautrock zone out. Side 2 is a bit more of a blues-based jam, and also possesses a slightly lesser sound quality, but still no less awesome of a listening experience - perhaps calling out a more classic German sound ala Sixty-Nine here. On the topic of sound quality, it's very good for an archival recording, but hardly Abbey Road Studios standard, so be sure to keep expectations in check. Top drawer this one goes in.

Ownership: 2015 Garden of Delights (CD). Full historical liner notes in English. One six minute bonus live track. Acquired in 2016.

First copy: 2014 Korusuro (LP). Single sleeve with brief liner notes in German. Acquired in 2014.

11/18/14 (review); 7/9/16

Garden of Delights has uncovered another archival release by this band, but I haven't heard it yet.

11/18/14 (new entry)

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