Lucifer's Friend – ....Where The Groupies Killed The Blues

Second album of this studio crew, that produced a lot of records under aliases too, before recording under a fixed name. Where the first LP proper (on Philips) was a modestly successful hard-rock album, this here effort is lightyears better. Heavy rock, it is, albeit with a touch of the occult. The expressive vocals of Lawton are an asset, as this is uncommonly well-sung for a German record. The interplay is smooth and oiled, though never over-polished. Characteristic are the fast accompanying ornaments on both guitar and keyboards. Apart from the opening Hobo, which is too close to British examples, the band is imaginative and does not shun sudden style-changes and odd textures. Unusual, often menacing, harmonies galore on Rose On The Vine, while Mother even foreshadows later dissonant rock-chamber-music like Univers Zero, though with more rocking energy. Fine flute parts on the title track and discordant orchestral parts on almost all of the rest of side B make for disquieting but enticing listening. The album ends on a placid note with the much more accessible Burning Ships, where cellos become foghorns. An excellent, energetic and adventurous album.