KLEPTOMANIA-ELEPHANTS LOST-

This Belgian outfit got together in 1970 but it wasn´t until 1995 their collected recording history was available for public market. The fourpiece highly recognized live act never ever got the cards to play in their favour in the sense of getting an album out. Unlucky is just the paraphrase…

This albums is a Collection of songs from 1970 to 1979 and the production varies a bit. From being solid rock sound to more simple soundframe demos. A bit like bedlam in Belgium, no hold bars. The guitarsound is topnotch though and bassplaying is just superb. Vocals interacts in a avarage way but nothing to scream and shout about. As the the songs are spread out over a timeperiod this is really more like a time document in which it is easy to follow the development in Kleptomanias style of Hard/Blues/Prog/Psych/Jazz rock. This is an odd bird in the pond but I do understand that the band had a hugh live following.

Whatabout the drummer, Roger Wollaert??? This fellow´s impression is a bit anxious and perhaps not to much in for powerful impact. I do miss some drive and personal touch but the striking abilities and hit ratio are all just fine. Nothing to you will remember as a live changing experience but the right fit for the this band. A Second row impression. The band´s focus is guitardriven so not much of a surprise.

As this is one of Belgium´s most underated bands but with a great live history it just fits the bill as an obscure gem! Great copies are out there for a descent buck but if you aim for the original pressing beware, top dollars are required. This mix of Hard /blues/Prog/Psych/Jazz rock is intoxicating but never the less suggestive and addictive. A great record in that sense! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-GOOD!-WORTH EXPLORING-