ConFused 5 - Reviews
Concrete Web
Salzburg (Austria), 1981 : Guitarists Markus Melms (leads) and Alexander Kranabetter, together with keyboardist/singer Herbert Hopfgartner form the seminal Rock band Frust (the bandname a shortening of the German word Frustration - translates exactly the same way), but seen the music business situation in their country at that time, they never get anywhere with that act.
Salzburg (same country as above - just joking!), 2003 : The three mentioned above reunite to form ConFused5, with the addition of bassist/second singer Kurt Breidler and scene veteran drummer “Beda” Bachmayer.
Idem, but now 2008 : Thanks to Sellaband.com (the international network of music fans) the fivesome was enabled to book recording time at the Salburger Sonic Flow Studio, where they were joined by top Los Angeles producer Peter Strobl (returning to his native land to do the job - earlier bands he′s produced at the Shangri La studios include Mark Knopfler, Keb′ Mo′, Chaka Khan, Tom Jones, Kings Of Leon, and the list goes on). Strobl then took the recordings home to California′s Rixmix studio in Valley Village, where he mixed the lot with collaboration of award winning engineer/producer Ron Hitchcock (check albums by Toto, Rita Coolidge, and Neil Diamond, among others) to give the album′s material of slightly Proggressive and overall calm-paced Classic Rock a very distinctive vintage analog sound!
In combination with Hopfgartner′s slight German accent, one is inclined to connect that to KrautRock, and I′m sure the guys will see that as a complliment rather than an insult… Because after all some very nice bands came forth from that scene, bands which weren′t content to play the usual easy-listening stuff, but complied to an extend by adding a pleasantly complex undercurrent! Besides, as one listens to the album a couple of times, one tends to take the accent for granted and as part of the whole, without which the material would not be what it is! Of course, it′s the music itself which will turn your head to this band′s material, whether you like it or not… Because at the end of the day you simply cannot escape the qualities of perfect music making! Towards the end of the album, you get some truly wacky deviations in other musical styles, like the Loungy intro of the calmer “New Orleans Minor”, the Reggae meanderings of the ensuing “No One”, which are followed by album closer “To The Moon”… A “modern” version of Franz Schubert′s “An den Mond”. I use the “modern” term loosely here, because where the instrumentation (nice piano, great but weird sounding electric guitar, some keyboard generated strings, drums) is at least partly modern, Hopfgartner has kept the vocal approach (with lyrics translated to English) as close as possible to the original… Which makes for him singing in a wonderful counter-tenor voice. And that′s so beautiful man… I mean, I′m moved to tears while writing this (and listening to the song) by the sheer emotional content of that voice, that how good this guy sings! Definitely different from the other material on the album, but what a great way to finish an allbum! I mean, the album deserves to make my year-lists just because of that track! Pity I didn′t get this last year (the band looses one point for the awkwardness the vocals gave me at the beginning)!
Point is, how much growth possibilities are there for a band like this? They might try to make it in the neighbouring Swizerland, where Classic Rock is still broadly appreciated… But where competition is already enormous… Or find themselves doin′ a tour of Germany′s biker pubs and venues! As it is, the latter possibility indeed would keep the band busy touring for a while! [I just found out, to my amazement, that this album was only officially released on February 19 of this year, so here goes the “Best Albums Of 2009” nomination!!!]
97/100, Tony Link
Home of Rock / Das Rockmagazin
Das ist ein der Bands, die über das Internet Label SellaBand genügend Geld für eine Produktion aufgetrieben hat. Was man generell von dieser vermeintlichen Demokratisierung des Musikbusiness halten kann soll jetzt nicht diskutiert werden; generell wirbt SellaBand damit, dass die Künstler maximale Kontrolle und Flexibilität über ihre Produkte erhalten. Und diese Kontrolle führte bei den österreichischen ConFused5 zu „Out Of ConFusion“. Geboten wird hauptsächlich Pop, Soft Rock und Reggae, produziert wie es jetzt Mode ist - warm und „echt“, ähnlich wie SHOUT und BEGGAR′S BRIDE. Bei ConFused5 bestimmen die beiden Gitarren das Geschehen, und die Sounds sind u. a. mit Stücken späterer WISHBONE ASH- (Out Of ConFusion) und THIN LIZZY-CDs (Deep Under) vergleichbar, ohne allerdings so heftig zu rocken wie LIZZY, oder sich in Double-Lead-Duellen zu ergehen. Die beiden Sänger gehen ebenfalls melodisch zu Werke, und so tut das ganze niemandem weh (wie auch, wenn man erst mal jede Menge US$ 10 Spenden auftreiben muss, bevor man produziert).
Aber nun wollen wir mal die Kirche im Dorf lassen - es ist nicht schlecht, was hier geboten wird. Es erinnert mich so ein bisschen an die PETARDS und „Pet-Arts“, das wahrscheinlich nicht mehr allzu viele Leute kennen, und daher die Umschreibung: melodische Gitarrensounds und mehrstimmige Chöre, tanzbare Mucke, die gut ins Ohr geht, und in einigen Fällen wie Out Of ConFusion, Deep Under, dem Barroom-Blues New Orleans Minor und dem Reggae No One auch da bleibt. Und ein bisschen austro-teutonisch klingt, inklusive den Ausspracheschnitzern (die live noch deutlicher werden, hörbar auf YouTube). Da das aber wahrscheinlich vielen gar nicht auffallen wird oder wichtig ist, zählt es hier nicht als Minuspunkt. [Als Minuspunkt muss aber gelten, dass „Whiskey In The Jar“ bei YouTube ganz schön nach den ergrauten Landsmännern von OPUS klingt. Red.] Die PETARDS waren damals allerdings die große Ausnahme - eine deutsche Rockgruppe - und hätten wohl nie und nimmer Geld auf SellaBand aufgetrieben. Schade. Das Ganze ist so rund und geschmackvoll wie ein Burger und geht genauso gut runter - positiv gemeint. Enden tut es mit To The Moon, einer Schubert Adaption, und das passt gut zu den anderen Songs - hier ist es, wie gesagt, geschmackvoll.
Eins verstehe ich nicht. Im Booklet steht „It's a Ceeeeeeee - listen: first a C, then a 5, ok? That means ConFused5 - damn“ (und ein kleines Icon in Form einer Bombe mit Zündschnur). Nun kann das „Ein (hohes) C auf/an einem Fünfer-Zünder/einer Fünfer-Lunte (Fuse) - verdammte Bombe“ heißen, aber damit können die Jungs nicht sich meinen, so explosiv sind sie nun wirklich nicht. Aber vielleicht ist das ein Irrtum, irgendwo in den Lyrics zu dem textlich etwas plakativen Don′t Hide Your Blues steht etwas von einem „sticky pinball in their eyes“, und das verstehe ich auch nicht - vielleicht meinen sie pinheads (Augen klein wie Stecknadelköpfe)? Ja, sind wir denn hier im Englischunterricht? Aber da wir gerade bei den Texten sind: Puppet Of The World ist vielleicht auch ein bisschen platte Managerschelte…
Dietrich Gastrock, 29.07.2009, Link
Regiomusik
Genau genommen existiert ConFused5 schon seit 1981. Damals wurde die österreichische Band unter dem Namen „Frust“ gegründet. Bei einer Reunion im Jahr 2003 wurde der Name in ConFused5 geändert. Nun ist das Album „Out Of Confusion“ erschienen, das über das Portal Sellaband.com binnen weniger Monate durch Fans der Band finanziert wurde.
Schon bei den ersten Tracks hört man genau, dass hier alte Hasen am Werk sind. Die Männer haben viel Erfahrung im Umgang mit ihren Instrumenten und setzten diese erwartungsgemäß in sauber arrangierte Songs um. Bereits der nach dem Album benannte Titelsong „Out Of Confusion“ zeigt, dass diese Platte mit ihren treibenden Riffs und dem (guten!) zweistimmigen Gesang eine Hommage an die späten 70er und die frühen 80er zu sein scheint. Freunde von schnellen Beats und Funky Basslines sind mit dem sensationellen „Why Me“ bedient. Das bluesig-karibisch angehauchte „New Orleans Minor“ klingt wie ein heisser Nachmittag in einer abgewrackten Spelunke.
ConFused5 legen die Messlatte für Bluesrock-Alben mit „Out Of Confusion“ sehr hoch an. Vor allem die Funk- und Reggae-Einflüsse machen diese Platte zu einer Willkommenen Abwechslung. Einziges Manko ist der hier und da doch sehr gut hörbare österreichische Akzent im Gesang. Aber wer achtet denn bei solch großartigen Arrangements noch auf die Vocals?
5 von 6 Kopfhörer
Strutter Magazine
Formed all the way back in 1981 the Austrian band CONFUSED 5 was first known as FRUST, but actually since they changed their name to CONFUSED 5 in 2003 when they reformed, they began working on their official first full-length CD.
The album "Out of confusion" is now released and featuring 10 tracks, which musically is a sort of a mix of Classic Rock, Progrock and AOR/Pomprock, sorta SAGA meets BLUE OYSTER CULT and STYX, yet vocally more a la GOLDEN EARRING/BLUE OYSTER CULT. Not bad at all what we get to hear, with 10 strong rocksongs, of which the highlights are "Out of confusion", "Deep under" and "Puppet of the world" (STYXish). Especially recommended to fans of real Classic Rock the 70s style, to some better known as Dinosaur Rock!
Points: 8.0 out of 10
www.firestormradio.com
ConFused5 - Out of ConFusion
This band brings the classic rock sound back, and makes it sound fresh and new again. Very melodic tunes from the vocal parts, to the guitar and keyboard parts, and a classic rock bass driving this great sound. This is a great album for any rock/classic rock fan. -Crash, Firestorm Radio .com
www.rockserbia.net
A Salzburg, Austria based band Confused 5 are comprise of well-experienced and long runnin′ members. A group was formed first time in 1981, under the name Frust, and reunited in 2003 as a Confused 5. During the July this year, they have relased an album for “Sellaband”-Internet label, entitled “Out Of Confusion”.
Austrian veterans are faithful to general one rock form, but its approach also has accepted a different other rock elements. Basically, they are orientire to 70′s rock option, fullfield with blues rock and even soul and funk rock details. A presents songs are mostly done in mid to mid-up tempo, and generally one “coolie” and laid back atmosphere dominates through complete album materials.
Technically, as same as productionally, all things are done in professional manner. Most of present songs posses strong melodic includings and threathenings, and Austrians also lotta′ energy has given in vocal harmonizations.
Finally, “Out Of Confusion” are consists of materials whose general message is mostly dedicate to midlle-age and older rock followers.
Amplified
This quintet comes from Austria, and were previously known as Frust, and I'′ve never heard of them either, their debut album following a reunion in 2003 raised $ 50,000 on the www.sellaband.com site.
Guitar-driven anthemic rock is the order of the day here. The harmonic guitars in “Out of Confusion” are full of attitude and best enjoyed at a decent volume. There´s a definite 70s feel to it, grand, sweeping solos and catchy choruses, there′s a healthy dose of Sax and organ in the melodic arrangements, and the lyrics fall into the storytelling vein.
I′ll do the obvious punchline, cos it wouldn′t be right otherwise, there′s no confusion, that is a bloody good album. Fans of blues-rock with a 70s influence, you need to hear this one.
Classic Rock Society
Although they originally formed in 1981, this is the debut release from this Austrian band who reunited in 2003. This album has been made with money invested via the Sellaband website, where punters can invest money in the making of an album in return for a copy of the finished product and a share of the profits of the sales.
The 70′s influenced guitar driven rock is very melodic and easy on the ear. The slight sideways moves into funk on one track and jazz on another add some colour and variety to the proceedings and make this a very impressive, if rather delayed, debut.
Przemek Draheim
Have you seen the movie “Still Crazy”? It was about a British rock band. Confused5's music reminds me of that movie in the most positive way. This is classic 1970s rock played with grit and passion. Arrangements are interesting, Herbert′s vocals are memorable and melodies are simply beautiful, very ear-catching. For some loud loud listening when I am in a rock mood “Out Of Confusion” is my choice, a very good CD.
