101
| Format | CD |
| Country | Germany |
| Recorded | 2001 |
| Issued | 2001 |
| Label | QuiXote Music |
| Cat no. | CD 12 |
| Playing time | 47:52 |
| Reviewer | Sven Eriksen |
| TEA FOR TWO 101 |
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It is supposedly a concept album we are being served by this German trio who actually have existed on and off since 1985. Stylistically it is a relatively plain music mixing rock/folk/neoprog, but they have a gift for writing and performing the music in a way that grabs you. The concept is (as most concepts) rather high-flown and incomprehensible, but it doesn’t really matter as it has no effect on the enjoyment of the record.
The band has a standard keyboard/bass/drums lineup (the bass and drums are programmed, but who cares) and there is not a lot of variation neither in the form or the sound of the music. The creates a very consistent end result. In addition, they use well-known technical means; keyboard arpeggios, floating synth chords, strategically placed guitar solos, just the right quantity of acoustic guitar etc. The main reason why this record ever so often finds its way into my CD player is that they write good melodies which you want to hear over again, they nicely calculate the use of their musical means, and the record has a pleasant sound. Somewhat logical perhaps then, that the 11 minute long title cut where they attempt a more complex, "progressive" attitude, is easily the least successful track on the CD.
101 could well have become a poor man’s IQ, but through – with very few exceptions – not trying at more than they can handle, they get to shore with their feet dry. Relatively accessible and unpretentious, OK, but it is better to succeed in the simple than to drown in a complex, progressive ocean.
© 2001 Tarkus Magazine