Great prog rock with hard rock elements and Hammond organ
BENJAMIN MILER | Veneta, Oregon | 11/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Odin was a British band that came to Germany (not unlike Nektar, even if neither sound alike). It's to my understanding the group also had Dutch and German musicians, but their sound is firmly in the British prog vein with hard rock elements. Their only album came out in 1972 on the spiral Vertigo label, and is one of the more hard to come by albums on that label. The group consisted of keyboardist/vocalist Jeff Beer, bassist/vocalist Ray Brown, drummer Stuart Fordham, and guitarist/vocalist Rob Terstall. Jeff Beer really lays it on thick with the Hammond organ, as he tends to use a lot of heavily fuzzed organ, an idea, no doubt, borrowed from the likes of Jon Lord and Ken Hensley. He also uses some piano and an early string synth as well.
"Life is Only" is that opening piece, features some ELP-like organ, plus some really extended organ passages. "Tribute to Frank" brings to mind the more jazzy side of Frank Zappa, so you can be sure this tribute was none other than to Mr. Zappa himself. "Be the Man You Are" is a nice, pleasant acoustic piece, while the band does a cover of "Gemini", by which the likes of Quatermass and Eric Burdon & the Animals had previously done. I am also familiar with the Quatermass version, and I prefer Quatermass' version. "Eucalyptus" is a rather mellow piece, with some early string synths in the background, before closing with the epic "Clown", which features all the best traits of Odin's prog rock (with hard rock tendencies) sound. It's really a nice and varied album, and also quite consistent as well. Too bad this was their only album, but in my opinion, sometimes better one or two albums, than too many, so we won't have to face some future embarassments (like what Yes, ELP, Pink Floyd and Tull had done, such as Union, Love Beach, Black Moon, In the Hot Seat, Under Wraps, the reunion stuff of Floyd post-Waters, etc.). Odin is certainly another great album if you collect spiral Vertigo albums or simply enjoy early British prog rock."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1