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Reviews

Grobschnitt — Merry-Go-Round
(Repertoire PMS 7097-WP, 1979/1998, CD)

by Dane Carlson, Published 2000-05-01

Merry-Go-Round Cover art

Merry-Go-Round is a pivotal album for Grobschnitt; it draws the line between the old and the new. An album made in a scenario we proggers know well: the band, through label pressure or line-up changes, alters their sound. Fans of the old Grobschnitt will find much here to like. However the band did intend this work to be lighter than previous; trying to write music as intense as Solar Music but in a shortened, pop format. In many ways they succeed. The songs are still mostly above six minutes, giving the band some of space for instrumental sections. Listening to "A.C.Y.M." I hear that old band, a monster intro and a yelling, multi-part vocal. The long track is "Das Schaffst das Nicht," and it is a slowly building piece which sounds great here, but is a bit sedate compared to older works. For me, as long as I can hear Toni Moff-Mollo’s unique voice and the guitar work of Wildschwein, I am fairly content. The production on this album is excellent; you can hear the multitude of sounds Grobschnitt generally use. Merry-Go-Round may be a band tetering on the edge, but Grobschnitt had one last gasp. Sadly Grobschnitt are destined to be another under appreciated prog band, their dual nature of intense rock and silly interludes may not have been for everyone. This would be a good album for new prog fans to get as well as anyone who thought the band was finished.

Filed under: Reissues, Issue 19, 1998 releases, 1979 recordings

Related artist(s): Grobschnitt

 

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