Original language: German
Lukas Tower Band – After Long Years
(71:47, Self-release, 2004)
The Lukas Tower Band – named after their rehearsal space in Munich – can look back on a very eventful 20-year history, full of various lineup changes and style shifts. Still, After Long Years, as the programmatic title suggests, is the first release “after all those years.” The album features 8 tracks recorded by the current lineup, with the support of several guest musicians, as a blend of old and new material recorded between 2001 and 2003. As a bonus, three more straight-rocking demos from 1993 were added, so the digital disc is filled with over 70 minutes of music.
The band confidently, but somewhat exaggeratedly, describes itself as a crossover of “King Crimson meets Clannad meets Steely Dan.” As always, it’s incredibly difficult to find a meaningful description for an unconventional style. The relaxed yet always melodic fusion of rock, jazz, and folk sounds musically retro but can’t easily be squeezed into any specific framework. Occasional flute and saxophone parts, along with the jazz-tinged vocals, provide the jazz element, while the rhythmic foundation and the smoky, at times bluesy guitar parts stay more rock-oriented. Every now and then, a touch of light folk influence adds color to the sound.
One critique would be that over time, the lack of dynamic peaks and valleys, or more edges and roughness, becomes noticeable, as the compositions mostly stay on the same dramaturgical level. The overall performance of the six-piece band feels unhurriedly relaxed but still very confident and rooted in years of experience. Building on this foundation, the album develops its own charm, with particularly the solo excursions, such as the saxophone and flute parts, leaving a lasting impression.
Anyone who wants to form their own opinion of LTB can visit the band’s official website at www.lukastowerband.de, where several sound samples are available.
Kristian Selm