Fuchs – Leaving Home (2012)

Fuchs, is really one person named: Hans-Jurgen Fuchs , I did not know of his existence until this cd arrived! One person I say, but there are guests and friends on this outing! Apparently Fuchs has been a very creative person and has indeed been the creative force behind his spouse´s solo work 4 albums released under the moniker: Inez (whom also contributes to this album) and I do remember coming across one of her albums some time ago! This album has well over an hour (see duration time) of listening stuff so much for quantity). I must say that it initially is a bland affair, the album opens with ” Long time ago” sort of singer/songwriter thing, nothing special, doesn’t work for me! “Summer We Come” on the other hand, has some more rock orientated sequences or sentences if you will, much more

interesting ! “Such A State Of Affairs” has a certain..ahem..ring to it.. reminding this reviewer of Pink Floyd´s “Division Bell” in the opening, a soft Gilmore´sque lead guitar, smooth little entry. ” These Golden Fields” has a fine vocal dialogue male/female (somehow it reminded me of Frumpy!?) this track slides seamless into “Life´s In Balance” via some nice E-bow guitar, it is a fine track with soothing lead vocals and good guitars/ keys/ harmony vocals giving it life! “A Harbingers Requiem” is another little mid sequence piece, that like ” Such A State Of Affairs” ties the longer tunes together. “Forgive me (Atonement)” sounds very uncanny like a Pink Floyd Theme, I cant remember which! Any how, this is by far the most interesting ive heard so far on this album!! “Symphony In Disguise” has an opening that suggest other than a symphony, namely a bluesy chord theme, a great tune but still no sight of prog rock, so far, even though it ends very interesting with some nice solo guitar and vocal ! “Will You Pray For Me” is next up, this is GREAT, I immediately liked this, it has a dark tone, good music and some sinister/sad lyrics, at this point I might add, that this is a concept album, in Fuch´s own words: ” It tells the story of a German family between 1920 and 1945, beginning with the happy years of a young love, followed by Hitler’s seizure of power ending in curse and expulsion. It is his father’s family’s story, pieced together from his grandmother’s anecdotes”. All sincere respect to that! So an intense story lyrically! To my ears the music really doesn’t have that drama / darkness/ hope that the story requires! Am I wrong ?! Perhaps ? There are fine tunes and musicianship to be had here, this is just not for me (sorry) …I feel ive heard it all before! 3 stars for the story and 2 stars for the music and deliverance! So 2 and a half star!