Aqua - self-titled
(Garden Of Delights) Catalog no: CD136
Aqua - self-titled
(Garden Of Delights) Catalog no: CD136
From Aural Innovations October 2009 update
If you have stumbled here expecting a glowing review of the European Pop Act Aqua of ‘I’m a Barbie Girl’ Fame, you are mistaken, and you should kill yourselves quickly as such muck is not tolerated here, sorry! No, this is a 1970’s German band of the same name. This CD is a collection of tracks recorded in 1972 and previously un-released, as well as tracks from 1978, and also from their 1980 album Sexy Boy? The music in its essence is definite Progressive Rock. It is heavily laded with organ lead lines and pounding rhythms, not unlike Family, Caravan, or Yes, and it is more on the structured side than it is the improvised. There are eight tracks on here and it lasts on the whole around fifty minutes. The first four tracks are from 1972 and they are total Progressive Rock, swirling organs, mellow at times and chaotic at others, all the things that make the tracks sing and move, although I do find this style of Progressive Rock a bit too boring and one dimensional, however, the tracks from 1978 and 1981 are really, really, not my cup of tea at all. Mind you it does mention in the accompanying booklet that the band became more commercial sounding in the late 70’s early 80’s before they ended it all in 1984. And it is very true, as I find that the latter tracks are just too arty farty for me, not unlike Yes or Emerson Lake and Palmer, so maybe fans or those bands will like Aqua, for me however, its all a bit boring and middle of the road. Maybe I actually do prefer the bog standard European pop version of this band!
Reviewed by Albert Pollard
Check out the Garden of Delights web site at: http://diregarden.com