Bachdenkel - 1977 - Сталинград

Bachdenkel

1977

Сталинград

01. The Whole World (Looking Over My Shoulder) (3:37)
02. After The Fall (4:27)
03. Seven Times Tomorrow (3:56)
04. For You To Live With Me (3:23)
05. The Tournament (2:52)
06. (It's Always) Easy To Be Hard (4:46)
07. Xenophon (4:51)
08. Сталинград (3:30)
09. Stalingrad (4:33)

Bonus tracks on 1990 reissue:
- The Unreleased Singles :
10. You Lied About Your Age (3:10)
11. Ring Of Truth (2:54)
12. Sirocco (2:56)
- Studio Live :
13. Сталинград (3:21)
14. After The Fall (5:34)
15. For You To Live With Me (4:37)
16. Seven Times Tomorrow (6:48)
- Archives :
17. Through The Eyes Of A Child (3:59)
18. An Appointment With The Master (3:38)
- Live Cannes '75 (Extract) :
19. Bo Bo's Party (6:11)

Colin Swinburne / lead & rhythm guitars, electric mandolin (9), piano (7), bell tree, vocals
Peter Kimberley / 4- & 6-string basses, Moog bass (3), Wurlitzer (9), vocals
Brian Smith / drums, percussion, vocals

With:
Irv Mowrey / vocals (7)
Karel Beer / electric 12-string (2-5,8) & slide (2) guitars, co-producer
Andy Scott / ARP synthesizer (8), co-producer

Stalingrad is a tale. This is very important when rating this album. Among those which I listened recently, I must say that name "Bachdenkel" sounds terrible so I wasn't very keen on listening to it. But 

CMA/\NGPAB (or how to say it) sounds good to me. History is something I like. I can't help myself, but the name of the band sounds very German-ish. There's nothing like that amongst their sounds. Among other less known bands from these times, Bach. are one of the best ones.

Why the best ? Well, it's because their music is something which I imagine as average prog rock band. Very 70's music, ambitious album (even without long tracks). I can barely describe this feeling, but I'm very pleased. They just fulfilled my expection. Track to track, story keeps telling itself and you can use it as your main concern (to truly listen to this music) or as "ambient" background (well, who is actually doing this?).

The impression this album makes on me, the depth of its backing story (concept album, of a special kind) is something you (or I for that matter) don't come across too often. There is overall musical theme (probably signature sound of the band), but that's just backbone of Сталинград, the point I am about to make is that each song fits perfectly to the mood its lyrics are establishing. Each is unique.

"with no one to fight for they die""

You can simply close your eyes and imagine (or rather try to imagine, as the horrors of Eastern Front cannot be fully understood) how it was back then.

"eagle is falling his wings has been mastered"

Maybe my awe I pay to this album is boosted by the fact that I am big history (especially 20th century) buff and studied as much about Second World War as I could, maybe because I am always moved a lot by strong concept albums or just that it is very melodic, yet complex album, killer combination that never fails to entertain me. It all can also be caused by this album being more closer to my "home" turf - Crossover Prog than their first one about furry rodents. But this all together ? Hell yeah.