EER-MUSIC.com HOME PAGE
Brainstorm, Last Smile (Garden of Delights)
http://www.forcedexposure.com/labels/garden.of.delights.germany.html
Another recording from the seemingly limitless Garden of Delights vault,
Last Smile is a refreshing Canterbury workout with few of the
psychedelic tinges that normally show up on reissues from this label (not
that the psych elements are necessarily bad). Like almost all GoD releases,
the album is a reissue of a super-obscure German group from the 70's.
Also like quite a few releases from the label, Brainstorm is a band that
really had potential to do something incredible. The compositions on the disc
are highly imaginative, allowing ample room for nice jazzy sax and flute
solos with some Hatfield or Caravan-esque melodies and even vocals sections
thrown in so that no one aspect becomes overbearing. The fact that the album
was recorded live is a plus for me, because the band really seems to have a
lot of energy on every tune. Musicianship is high, but there's enough
roughness to make it exciting (though compared to some of the technically
shoddy psychedelic bands, this sounds like a studio recording). The only
thing that bothers me a bit is the vocals aren't quite as polished as the
instruments, but the vocal sections are used sparingly (and effectively) so
this is a relatively minor gripe.
If five mostly longish tracks of jazz-rock / Canterbury-influenced prog
with superb sax, flute, bass, keys, and drums sounds like your cup of tea,
you'll like this album. A truly nice find. ~ Adam Murphree
Brainstorm: Second Smile (CD, 41:08); Garden of Delights, CD 047, 2000
Cyberhome/Contact: http://www.forcedexposure.com/labels/garden.of.delights.germany.html
10 words or less: Fine Krautrock with Fusion moments
Elaboration: This is German progressive Jazz/Rock band Brainstorm's sophomore
effort, originally released in 1973. This album starts off like a classic,
complete with Mellotron, Flute and intricate unison lines in 11/8 time on the
opening track. Instantly the listener knows, this is not your typical,
loosely arranged Psychedelic Krautrock. The second tune, performed on
acoustic Guitar, Flute and Percussion, starts nice and melodic then kicks
into a frantic jam to finish. Track 3 presents the first vocal, sung in
English, the vocals are the weak link in this album; not necessarily on this
track though as they take on somewhat of a Greg Lake styling coupled with
some wordless melodicizing. Fortunately the vocals don't encompass the entire
song and there are Fusion-y sections interspersed in this 8-minute piece and
the use of Clavinette creates an interesting texture. Track 4 is a fast paced
instrumental with well played solos taken on Organ, Flute then Guitar. Up to
this point I would give this album high marks for creativity and musicianship
and track 5 starts off good enough in an Avant Garde Jazz style but just when
it begins to take you in, some terrible vocals come and smother the tune.
Fortunately, all is not lost and after the vocals cease, the tune ends with
some great playing by the band. Track 6 is a long tune filled with vocals
that sound terribly dated. Track 7 is the bonus cut, which is another dated
sounding vocal tune. Overall, I give this high marks, especially the first
half. ~ L Perez
GO BACK
RETURN TO:
To purchase this recording and get more info, soundclips, etc.
CLICK ON ARTIST'S NAME ABOVE
OR . . .
Please visit my BUY IT E.E.R. NOW INDEX PAGE
OR...
Please try my brand spankin' new EER and AMAZON.com QUIK-LINKs
buyer's guide to recommended music.
OR ...
go to my LINKS page and find the vendors' section.
Happy hunting!