Gnosis Ratings

Reviews:

Tom Hayes 7-Aug-2006 Ohrenschmaus + Eulenspygel

Ougenweide are to Germany what Malicorne are to France, Horslips to Ireland, Labanda to Spain, Gryphon to England and The Charlie Daniels Band to America – i.e. groups that play electrified indigenous folkloric music. (Is this perhaps the first time in history that Labanda and The Charlie Daniels Band have been mentioned in the same sentence?). Definitely a different German breed than the cosmic folk Pilz groups like Broselmaschine and Emtidi or the more freaky/experimental Parzival. Ougenweide use a typical rock band base (electric guitar, electric bass, drums) and augment that with an array of melodic instruments including flute, mandolin, accordion, piano, etc… There are alternating female (soprano register) and male vocals, all in wonderful German, the former proving to be the more pleasing and enchanting. “Ohrenschmaus” and “Eulenspygel” are their third and fourth albums respectively and show a general trend towards a more accessible, as well as traditional, sound. In fact, “Eulenspygel” is primarily all acoustic save the electric bass work. At times, Ougenweide’s music can be very satisfying, such as the progressively flavored ‘Kommt ihr Jungfern Helft mir Klagen’ from “Ohrenschmaus”. But in general, much of this music is the same as can be heard in many a pub, tavern, bierhaus or any European watering hole of choice. It’s fun, gather-round-the-stage music, but not quite as engaging as could be with some more non-traditional arrangements. File under “crowd pleasers”.

Links for further information

Ougenweide Fan Page

Tom Hayes	7-Aug-2006	Ohrenschmaus + Eulenspygel
Ougenweide are to Germany what Malicorne are to France, Horslips to Ireland, Labanda to Spain, Gryphon to England and The Charlie Daniels Band to America – i.e. groups that play electrified indigenous folkloric music. (Is this perhaps the first time in history that Labanda and The Charlie Daniels Band have been mentioned in the same sentence?). Definitely a different German breed than the cosmic folk Pilz groups like Broselmaschine and Emtidi or the more freaky/experimental Parzival. Ougenweide use a typical rock band base (electric guitar, electric bass, drums) and augment that with an array of melodic instruments including flute, mandolin, accordion, piano, etc… There are alternating female (soprano register) and male vocals, all in wonderful German, the former proving to be the more pleasing and enchanting. “Ohrenschmaus” and “Eulenspygel” are their third and fourth albums respectively and show a general trend towards a more accessible, as well as traditional, sound. In fact, “Eulenspygel” is primarily all acoustic save the electric bass work. At times, Ougenweide’s music can be very satisfying, such as the progressively flavored ‘Kommt ihr Jungfern Helft mir Klagen’ from “Ohrenschmaus”. But in general, much of this music is the same as can be heard in many a pub, tavern, bierhaus or any European watering hole of choice. It’s fun, gather-round-the-stage music, but not quite as engaging as could be with some more non-traditional arrangements. File under “crowd pleasers”.
Links for further information
Ougenweide Fan Page