Comments for Klaatu, Klaatu-Hope

This album is a personal favorite of mine from long ago. The first eight tracks of this album were originally released as a seperate album which was simply titled "Klaatu". The name "Klaatu", of course, is derived from the name of the lead character in the 1955 science fiction film "The Day The Earth Stood Still". The first album tracks reflect a rather early pop-techno style. "Anus From Uranus", "Sir Rugglesby", and "Dr. Marvello" are downright silly while "Little Neiutrino still gives me the chills even today. The second album tracks are more symphonic and reflect an obviously higher production budget. The songs on this album strongly reflect the implied anti-war statement contained in the name "Klaatu". This set of tracks has a much more serious feel than the first eight tracks, sometimes to the point of being a bit depressing. However, if "Hope" doesn't leave you with a lump in your throoat, you're obviously a lost case. I still listen to this song when things are not going my way.

Actually they are a Canadian band. Their entire discography is as follows: Klaatu Hope Sir Army Suit Endangered Species The Worst of Klaatu Magentalane

Wish they would release Sir Army Suit on CD...guess I have to be thankful they did the first 2...never expected that.

In rock encyclopedias Klaatu's main claim to fame is that the lack of info on the first release and the use of distorted voices on many tracks helped to spread the rumour that this was the Beatles incognito. Of course if you listen to the other tracks it is obviously not true. The rumour continues that nevertheless this helped to sell lots of copies. I guess the melodic quality of the material also sounds Beatle-like (say, Abbey Road-ish) to many. I also get the chills from Little Neutrino. Another favourite track is Silly Boys from Sir Army Suit. Has anyone tried playing it backwards?

Great Band! Check http://allmusic.com/ for availability of albums including SAS and Endangered.

Actually, when you play "Silly Boys" of the Sir Army Suit album backwards, you discover that it's ... "Anus Of Uranus" from their first album!

I am excited to find that I am not the only Klaatu fan in the world! But I am sure I'm also one of the first. I was originally attracted by the early rumors, being a first-generation Beatles fan, but I was immediately taken by the music itself and consider it a terrible injustice that, after the rumors were quashed, nobody seemed to care. "Hope" showed a definate maturity over "Klaatu", but sucker for melody that I am, my favorite album is "Sir Army Suite". In fact I named my daughter after the track "Dear Christine". I found "Endangered Species" to be a big disappointment, what with several breaks in tradition, and unfortunately have never found "Magentalane" (one word?)

By far my most favorite album... I still have two near perfect original albums {too bad I no longer have a record player}. However, I recorded it onto SVHS tape before it the platter died. The biggest attraction comes from the mix of modern and classical instruments to make a very varied musical contribution to the story of the best 'theme' album ever made. I have the CD "Peaks" which is a collection of songs from all of their albums but find it lacking because it's like only getting part of the story when "Hope" is broken up. I also have the original album on CD so I am a bit confused about the compilation album discussed in the page. I would kill for this CD! and haven't been able to locate it anywhere in Vancouver, BC... Anyone out there who can point me in the right direction please send me E-Mail on how to get it. Thanks!

Actually Klaatu was a Canadien band. I, too, was drawn to them by Beatle rumors. However, they have permanently touched me, and I regard them as the best-kept rock secret of the seventies. King's X is their Nineties counterpart. Their 1st two albums, "Klaatu" and "Hope" are readily available (in the compiled CD as mentioned) in most music stores. I've never had any trouble finding it. Like "dhope", I find "Hope" to be a masterpiece. The melting of classical and rock is superb...far better than the Moodies' "Days of Future Past". I, too, own "Peaks" and find it interesting that there are a few songs I'd never heard. I've tried mail order and threats of violence to obtain "Sir Army Suit" and/or "Endangered Species" on CD, but to no avail. In closing remarks, I believe the music of Klaatu to be among the finest in rock history. I also see them as victims of the "nil-attention-span" American audience who largely ignored them when the Beatle link was broken. How typical of the American rock music public to dismiss a band based solely on non-musicla reasons! They continue to be an inspiration to me as a rock player and as a classical composer. I believe there were three members: Dee Long, John Woluschuk (sp?), and Terry Draper. The last news I had heard (rumors, mind you) was that Woluschuk was working in a studio in London, and Draper was working as a roofer in Toronto. No news on what Long is doing. These men deserve to be at least an important historical footnote in rock music.

I just discovered Klaatu's final album, Magentalane, this year (1995). I must say it's better than I was expecting following the disappointing Endangered Species. It was just released on CD in the US in October, '95. You can order it at http://www.cdnow.com. December Dream is one of the best songs they've written...

Klaatu was an amazing pop band; no question about it. In 1988 they released a CD single in Germany called "Woman" on the Polydor label. I've been trying to find this for years. Any clues?

I''d like to see the surviving members of Badfinger and the members of Klaatu touring small clubs and doing the best from two of the most awesome melodic bands...just to hear what Klaatu would sound like doing Pete Ham and Tom Evans tracks would be well worth the ticket price.