3 Haziran 2022 Cuma

Novalis / Augenblicke (1980)


Germany

Progressive Rock, Symphonic Prog, Art Rock

Novalis decided in 1980 to do justice to the way of working that was then emerging and to change the procedure of songwriting and song creation; that is to say, the joint, night-long working out of the same was a thing of the past. From then on, the musicians wrote their lyrics and music at home for themselves, they met again afterwards to listen to the results (demos) and then to make a selection for further processing. In retrospect, one can say that this approach has had advantages and disadvantages.

One result of the changes were shorter and therefore more compact songs, which can certainly be seen as an act of liberation for the musicians of Novalis...after all, their songs used to last 6 minutes or longer.

On the other hand, as a result, the lightness and looseness was lost a little, and the time for extravagant daydreams was reduced. It was also very clear which musician was behind which song...singer Fred Mühlböck always had a knack for the romantic lyrics and song structures, whereas Lutz Rahn and Detlef Job composed in a completely different, more technical and crisp way.

30 years later, even beginners can still clearly see which musician composed which songs. On the one hand the instrumental songs like the opener "Danmark" or the single release "Cassandra", on the other hand epic, enigmatic and profound pieces like "I haven't learned to love yet" or "As a little boy" that the fans knew, loved and therefore expected from Novalis.

But every band has to be allowed to go through a development process and to change. And all in all, it can be said that this change was worth it. The streamlining has expanded the band's sound, "Augenblicke" has become a fresh and interesting album, entertaining and yet dreamy enough to pause for half an hour and enjoy top-class German-language music.

I say this from the point of view of a music listener who is at home on many construction sites, who has always enjoyed music from home and has always liked to try something new over the years. Perhaps this form of music, the amalgamation of the German language with ballad-like, almost poetic content, is no longer quite up-to-date for today's young audience, but it is precisely in this that one or the other listener may find the appeal of listening to Moments.

I can only recommend trying something different and following other paths, similar to Novalis Anno 1980.

My suggestion to play it is the title "I haven't learned to love yet", the song represents the album very well. Crisp (by Novalis standards) guitar riffs on the one hand and catchy refrains and deep words on the other. Listen for yourself, it's worth it.

Members
Lutz Rahn (organ), Hartwig Biereichel (drums), Heino Schünzel (bass, vocals, 1971-80), Jürgen Wenzel (vocals, 1971-73), Carlo Karges (guitar, 1971-75), Detlef Job (guitar, 1973-85), Fred Mühlböck (vocals, 1976-84), Hinrich Schneider (bass, 1983-85), Ernst Herzner (vocals, 1984-85)

Track Listing

01 - Danmark 3:30
02 - Ich hab' noch nicht gelernt zu lieben 3:30
03 - Cassandra 3:26
04 - Herbstwind 4:46
05 - Mit den Zugvögeln 3:16
06 - Sphinx 3:25
07 - Als kleiner Junge 5:16
08 - Magie einer Nacht 3:55
09 - Begegnungen 4:47


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