Customer Reviews

Analogy

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album is cool, the music is not complex symphonic progressive or so but rather more into early 70's prog/psych with strong rock influences. Here we have the hammond organ, a female singer and pretty far out music. And the bonus tracks that are included are also very good. Especially "The Suite" divided into two pieces that is almost 30 minutes together. If you like bands like Earth & Fire and Circus 2000, then this albums is something for you. The music (apart from "The Suite") is as I've said not too complex. Instead the vibe, the atmosphere is important here. With the hammond, the harsh singing and the cosmic blues displayed here. Extended jams here and there, but still very good and I dont think it gets boring anytime. Give it a try!

First saw the light of day in 1972, as I believe this may've very well been the progressive band's only lp out in their initial existence - the band might have put a reunion CD out later. Not sure. Yet, another 'over-looked gem' comes your way - thanks to the vaults from the Garden Of Delights label. Analogy comes from Varese, Italy. Tracks that did it for me were "Dark Reflections", the awesome band's namesake "Analogy", the stunning "The Year At The Spring" (featuring powerful female vocals) and the worthy bonus cut "Milan On A Sunday Morning". Personnel: Jutta Nienhaus-vocals, Martin Thurn-guitar, flute & bongos, Wolfgang Schoene-bass, Nicola Pankoff-keyboards and M. J. Nienhaus-drums. Should appeal to fans of Uriah Heep, Atomic Rooster, Deep Purple and Free. So early '70's-ish it's nearly mind-boggling.

Ten years ago, I had maybe five German bands in my collection. Now I have a few dozen, and I think highly of the majority of these groups. Analogy is no exception. The late 60's and early 70's saw a burst of musical creativity in this country unmatched since the baroque and classical eras. Yea, this album was recorded in Italy, but it's all Germans playing here. My copy lists Wolfgang Schoene as the bass player.

On the surface Analogy's music isn't much different than many other bands of the era. Organ dominated rock with prog leanings. The more I listen, though, the more I like this. Nothing ground breaking to be sure, but certainly enjoyable. Some dark, trippy passages here and there, some hard rock, and some beautiful melodic music. Jutta Nienhaus has a lovely voice and a fascinating style and delivery, reminiscent of some of the renaissance and medieval music I listen to. Obviously everyone isn't thrilled with her style as evidenced by some of the other reviews, but I found it refreshing. Opinions are like... well anyway, everybody's got one.

This a good album of early 70's rock, well worth owning in my book. Interesting cover. If those are the ugliest men you've ever seen, you ain't been out much, and the lady is hot. I know I enjoy this disc every time I listen. Give it a try.

"Analogy" was a German act with one Italian member only - Mauro Rattaggi (bass) - which was Italy-based (that's why, maybe). It was founded by Martin Thurm (guitars, flute, bongos) - student of Scuola Europea di Varese at that time. Actually, it was his second musical project (after "Sons of Giove"). Martin was joined by Jutta Nienhaus* on vocals - singer e x t r a o r d i n a i r e, with an inclination towards jazz improvisations (the rumours of her strong German accent are exaggerated, the voice is too good to pay an attention to an accent, plus often she was singing not in English - in Italian) - her brother on drums, Wolfgang Schoene (bass). After musical festival in Arona the band was joined by Nikola Pankoff (keyboards. The band drifted from typical psychedelia towards prog-rock - very much alike "Sandrose" (Sandrose) and "Julian's Treatment" (A Time Before This), although one can feel immediately the influence of Pink Floyd (some chords by "Analogy" much later will appear on "Wish you were here").
The band struggled until 1972, when they released the first album in Milan - the last track of original LP was "Pan-Am Flight", and this CD is a bootleg compilation by Akarma. Apart from mildly provocative artwork (aesthetically more pleasant to look at than at simian Yoko with skinny John), the album didn't get enough support. Perhaps, it's not top-league, but solid prog-rock masterpiece worth every penny
*Jutta Nienhaus later appeared on an album of Italian music icon - Franco Battiato

More ploddingly shrill, organically dated goth-y rock posing for progressive in limitedly rustic ambition.

A female vocalist whose pitch is extremely wobbly and whose grasp of English is on par with her facility in ancient Phoenician. A guitarist and organist who can only play rehashed cliches from the worst, most bombastic British blues-rock bands, and can't even do that very well. A bassist and drummer who, well, the less I say about them the better off we all are. Songs that are so bad they sound like parodies of a progressive rock band. Combine all this together and you have the unfortunate experience that is Analogy.

The capper is the cover, on which four of the ugliest people you have ever seen in your life are absolutely stark naked. The fact that the female vocalist is also nude is offset by the incomprehensible awfulness of the four guys, which totally destroys the "aren't we all beautiful here in the Garden of Eden" vibe they were apparently attempting to create.

When people say they hate "hippie music," this is the kind of stuff they were talking about. Avoid this at all costs.