Novalis

by Mike DeGagneNormally, progressive rock bands that hail from Germany play an aggressive, forceful type of music, with brash keyboard and guitar interplay leading to hardened rhythms and tempos. Novalis is one of the exceptions, and on their second album they maintain an even tighter fusion of folk-rock and classical elements, topped off with lush, prolific vocals that soften the music even more.

 With their debut album entitled Banished Bridge in 1973, the lyrics were entirely English, but Novalis has the band switching to their native tongue, which, in turn, sounds more free-flowing and poetic. 

Limited Japanese reissue of the Krautrock band's 1975 album, remastered and packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. Brain. 2005.