Klaatu - "Hope" (1977) 

It's nice to wander around in shops for used records, you can always find something interesting. On the other hand, one rarely finds real bargains in these places. Most business owners know their trade and know what prices to charge. On flea markets you often also find used records, 9 times out of 10 you find junk, but there's always the chance to do some real bargains. Often it's a unit price 1-2 dollars / album, and if you're lucky, you come home with a real treasure. This makes the hunting on the flea market more exciting many times, than the search in the disc exchange.

I found Klaatu's second album Hope at a flea market, in excellent condition. The price asked was 4 USD, and I should honestly say I don't know if it really was a bargain. But it felt so at the time. I am sure that my next door shop for used records would ask at least 7 USD for it.

Klaatu was a Canadian trio who for a time were suspected of being The Beatles. They released their first albums without any information on who they were, and because people thought it sounded a bit like The Beatles, the rumor started (helped by an article that raised the issue). This rumor spread all over the world and the record company Capitol, which of course was delighted with the increase in sales this rumor led to, did little to stop it. Apparently it was possible to find backward messages on the album which proved the theory, Morse code in the music was another sign, and of course it was possible to find references in the lyrics and on the cover that it was The Beatles who had resurfaced.

Of course, after a while the truth emerged, a truth which consisted of John Woloshuk, Dee Long and Terry Draper. This meant a drastic setback in the sales figures and the band pretty much never managed to come back. Another blogger described the band as consisting of two stoners and a porn actor. Judge for yourself:

Hope began to be recorded just before the release of Klaatu's first album and thus before The Beatles rumor had started. OK, on ​​some songs you can hear a little Beatles I can also hear some Queen, ELO and why not some Hawkwind and Van Der Graaf Generator? Now the reader should be warned that this probably sounds like a more exciting mix than it is. Frankly, Hope is not a great record and the comparison with The Beatles must be seen as a bit unrealistic, to say the least. It's a concept album, maybe even a rock opera, with a science-fiction theme. Apparently it's a survivor of an arrogant race, who warns space travelers for different hazards. I've read this online, personally I can't hear everything they sing and I haven't bothered to read the lyrics. The sound is a bit cheap and feels pretty outdated, you can't fool yourself that this was recorded in modern times (21st century). Maybe it's the syntheseizers they're using that are to be blamed?

Santana with friends?

The songs are in many cases relatively bland and a bit dull, almost a little cheesy. However, it may be added that many fans think this is Klaatus best album, so there are many with a second opinion. But personally it doesn't turn me on and I become somewhat bored with most of the album. Shall I summarize the experience it may be as a cheesy version of the already mentioned Van Der Graaf Generetor, without the darkness, the danger and the beauty. It is worth 4 USD but perhaps not much more, in my world anyway.
It can be added that the artist Ted Jones painted the cover, a cover many people appreciate.

Tracklist


Side A
1. We're Off You Know 4:00
2. Madman 2:36
3. Around The Universe In Eighty Days 4:53
4. Long Live Politzania 9:05

Side B
1. The Loniest Of Creatures 3:41
2. Prelude 5:43
3. So Said The Lighthouse Keeper 5:48
4. Hope 3:48