The Strawberry Bricks Guide to Progressive Rock
random album
Album of the Day (190):
Birth Control - Plastic People (May 1975)
Originating from the German city of Cologne, Birth Control were one of the first German rock bands, releasing their debut album in 1970. They played heavy rock, with styling not unlike Vanilla Fudge or Deep Purple, and their self-titled debut album even saw a US release. The core of drummer Bernd Noske and guitarist Bruno Frenzel then led the band through a few well-executed but ultimately unspectacular albums. In 1974, keyboardist Bernd "Zeus" Held and bassist Peter Foeller joined for the Rebirth album, another heavy rocking affair. But this was all about to change: for their next album, Plastic People, Birth Control found inspiration in British prog rock. This was no cheap imitation either; Held certainly was the catalyst, his keyboards providing a rich addition to the heavy Birth Control sound. And despite the new complexity, the opening "Plastic People" still rocks hard. Held's command of the organ is first-class. "Tiny Flashlights" sees him switch to electric piano for its jazzier meter, while "My Mind" journeys into the classical realm. "Rockin' Rollin' Roller" lives up to its title with Frenzel stepping up front. Drummer 'Nossi' Noske's English language vocals are certainly good; perhaps the best of his slightly accented German contemporaries? Both "Trial Trip" and "This Song Is Just For You" hark back to their previous work, but the latter offers some fastidious string and brass arrangements. All in all, it was quite an original album, exceptionally recorded, and a positive change in direction. Birth Control was one of the most popular live acts in Germany at the time, now earning themselves an invitation for their first visit to the UK.
Birth Control - Plastic People (May 1975)
Originating from the German city of Cologne, Birth Control were one of the first German rock bands, releasing their debut album in 1970. They played heavy rock, with styling not unlike Vanilla Fudge or Deep Purple, and their self-titled debut album even saw a US release. The core of drummer Bernd Noske and guitarist Bruno Frenzel then led the band through a few well-executed but ultimately unspectacular albums. In 1974, keyboardist Bernd "Zeus" Held and bassist Peter Foeller joined for the Rebirth album, another heavy rocking affair. But this was all about to change: for their next album, Plastic People, Birth Control found inspiration in British prog rock. This was no cheap imitation either; Held certainly was the catalyst, his keyboards providing a rich addition to the heavy Birth Control sound. And despite the new complexity, the opening "Plastic People" still rocks hard. Held's command of the organ is first-class. "Tiny Flashlights" sees him switch to electric piano for its jazzier meter, while "My Mind" journeys into the classical realm. "Rockin' Rollin' Roller" lives up to its title with Frenzel stepping up front. Drummer 'Nossi' Noske's English language vocals are certainly good; perhaps the best of his slightly accented German contemporaries? Both "Trial Trip" and "This Song Is Just For You" hark back to their previous work, but the latter offers some fastidious string and brass arrangements. All in all, it was quite an original album, exceptionally recorded, and a positive change in direction. Birth Control was one of the most popular live acts in Germany at the time, now earning themselves an invitation for their first visit to the UK.