Krautrock Album Database

Albums

Birth Control 1970
Operation 1971
Hoodoo Man 1972
Live 1974
Rebirth 1974
Plastic People 1975
Backdoor Possibilities 1976
Increase 1977
Titanic 1978
Live '79 1979

Operation (Ohr 1971)

Album Legnth: 41:57

Recorded: 1971 Dierks Studio

Genre: Heavy Progressive Rock

Best Song: 'Let Us Do It Now'

Release Info: 1997 CD Reissue Repertoire 7072-WPS

Tracks:

1. Stop Little Lady 7.19 2. Just Before The Sun Will Rise 7.39 3. The Work Is Done 6.00 4. Flesh And Blood 3.29 5. Pandemonium 6.36 6. Let Us Do It 11.13 7. Hope* 8. Rollin'* 9. The Work Is Done* 10. What's Your Name* 11. Believe In The Pill*
*=Bonus Track

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Average Rating based on 5 votes: 3.4 out of 5 stars

Overview:

'Operation', Birth Control's second studio LP, is a vast improvement upon their self titled debut. Released on the Ohr label in 1971, the album features an outrageous cover drawing of a baby eating insect monster. Sounding much more refined, the group adopted a heavy progressive approach inspired by Uriah Heep and Deep Purple. Bruno Frenzel took creative control of the band and is credited as the sole composer of each track. 'Operation' kicks off with the hard rocker 'Stop Little Lady' which is dominated by Reinhold Sobotta's stellar organ work. Opening with a classically themed guitar and organ riff, the track quickly switches gear and a steady groove is established. 'The Work Is Done', the albums single, is a catchy rocker with political lyrics that deal baby killers in Vietnam. Musically, the track is quite attractive, but the accented female background vocals are a bit of a turn off. 'Flesh And Blood' is a heavy track with a brooding riff that must have influenced The Damned on their killer track 'Neat Neat Neat'. Next, 'Pandemonium' showcases a prominent hammond organ and a nice instrumental section that contains great organ and guitar solos. The album closes with the 11-minute epic 'Let Us Do It Now'. Opening with a beautiful classical piano solo the song begins to take shape as vocals are introduced. Strings, drums and brass are introduced and the song continues to build into an early symphonic rock effort. [3/5 Doug]

Musicians:

Bruno Frenzel - Guitar, Vocals
Bernd Noske - Drums, Vocals
Reinjhold Sobotta - Organ
Bernd Koschmidder - Bass

Rebirth (CBS 1974)

Album Legnth:

Recorded:

Genre: Progressive Rock

Best Song:

Release Info: CD Reissue Repertoire 4943-WPS

Tracks:

1. She's Got Nothing On You
2. Mister Hero
3. Grandjeanville 1.04
4. No Shade Is Real
5. M.P.C. 1.56
6. Together Alone Tonight
7. Back From Hell

Overview:

Musicians:

Bernd Noske -
Peter Foller -
Bruno Frenzel -
Zeus B. Held -

Backdoor Possibilities (Brain 1976)

Album Legnth: 43:30

Recorded: July and August 1976 Conny's Studio

Genre: Progressive/Art Rock

Best Song: 'Behind Grey Walls'

Release Info: 1997 CD Reissue Repertoire 7054-WPS

Tracks:

1. Prologue 2.30
2. Physical And Mental Short Circuit 3.56
3. Subterranean Escape 1.10
4. Film Of Life 5.36
5. Childhood Flash-Back 0.53
6. Legal Labyrinth 2.06
7. Futile Prayer 5.55
8. The Farrockaway Ropedancer 4.27
9. Le Moineau De Paris 2.23
10. Cha Cha D'amour 1.26
11. Behind Grey Walls 6.52
12. No Time To Die 6.09
13. Fall Down 2.49*
14. Laugh Or Cry 2.57*
*=Bonus Track

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Average Rating based on 14 votes: 3.1 out of 5 stars

Overview:

'Backdoor Possibilities', Birth Control's sixth studio album and eighth release, is similar to the preceding 'Plastic People' in that it too marks a shift in a new art rock direction. Overall, the music manages to maintain Birth Control's typical hard rock sound, but is augmented with jazz and classical elements. A concept album, the story appears to be based upon the life of a soulless corporate businessman, who, sucked in by the trappings of success, is caught up in the game and reminiscing about his life. The album is divided into three suites, 'One First Of April', 'Beedeepees', and 'La Ciguena De Zaragoza' with the latter being the strongest section. I am not sure if I am alone in this thought, but I have to admit that this album is one of my guilty pleasures and tends to be one of the CD's I grab for most often. The music is spontaneous, fresh, quirky, complex and at times even cheesy. One of the album's strengths lies with the complexity of the musical arrangements, for each instrument track has been carefully thought out and composed. Another aspect I enjoy is the frantic tempo changes, the excellent dual guitar and synth interplay, and the quirky classical melodies and instrument arrangements which sound like a proto-Oingo Boingo (Danny Elfman). That being said, I feel that there will ultimately be two listener classifications: those who despise the album and those who really enjoy the album. Musical highlights include the ethereal number 'Futile Prayer', which comes complete with atmospheric organ and pounding tom-toms; and 'Behind Grey Walls', the album's jewel, a powerful number containing great guitar work and enough of Zeus' keyboard exploits to prove without a doubt he is worthy of his godly name. As a whole, the album has a progressive art rock sound with a sort of proto new wave flair, partly attributed to its unique sonic synth sound and the overall quirky nature of the music which was far from anything the group had done before. As a bonus, the CD contains two bonus tracks which push the total disc time just under 50 minutes. [5/5 Doug]

Musicians:

Bernd Noske - Vocals, Drums, Marimba, Tympani, Congas, Percussion
Peter Foller - Bass, Vocals
Bruno Frenzel - Guitar, Vocals
Zeus B. Held - Organ, Piano, Moog, Tubular Bells, Vocals