Birth Control - Backdoor Possibilities (1976)

Birth Control - Backdoor Possibilities (1976)

Tracklist front / back album covers

Birth Control – Backdoor Possibilities (1976)

Tracklist:

1. Backdoor Possibilities

2. Bye Bye

3. Keep On Running

4. Flesh and Blood (Revisited)

5. Rockin’ Chair

6. Funny Things

7. Midnight Blue

Review:
Backdoor Possibilities (1976) represents a further evolution of Birth Control, leaning into a more polished, accessible hard rock sound while still retaining elements of their heavy progressive roots. Following the melodic tendencies of Plastic People, this album blends catchy hooks, tight arrangements, and the band’s trademark Hammond organ textures into a cohesive, listener-friendly experience.

The title track “Backdoor Possibilities” opens the album with punchy riffs and driving rhythm, immediately demonstrating the band’s refined songwriting. “Bye Bye” and “Keep On Running” highlight their ability to craft hook-laden hard rock with commercial appeal, without sacrificing musical depth. Interestingly, the album revisits “Flesh and Blood” from earlier releases, giving it a fresh interpretation with updated arrangements, showing the band’s willingness to experiment with their own catalog.

Tracks like “Rockin’ Chair” and “Funny Things” reveal Birth Control’s lighter, more playful side, while “Midnight Blue” closes the album with a melodic and slightly introspective tone. Overall, the album balances accessibility with the band’s signature heaviness, making it a bridge between the raw Krautrock era and the more mainstream European hard rock of the mid-70s.

While not as heavy or experimental as Hoodoo Man or Rebirth, Backdoor Possibilities demonstrates the band’s versatility and maturity, appealing to both longtime fans and new listeners exploring 70s German rock.

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Fun Facts & Trivia:

• The album was recorded during a period of lineup stability, allowing for tight, polished performances.

• “Flesh and Blood (Revisited)” is one of the earliest examples of the band reinterpreting their own material in the studio.

• The album title and lyrics often touch on subtle social commentary, a theme that had been part of Birth Control’s identity since the early 70s.

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Did You Know?

• Backdoor Possibilities reflects a period when many German hard rock bands were shifting toward more radio-friendly sounds to reach wider audiences.

• Despite its lighter tone, the album still features extended Hammond organ passages, preserving the band’s signature sound.

• Collectors often view this release as a key transitional album, bridging Birth Control’s heavy early years and their later 70s hard rock output.

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Selling / Collector’s Info:

Original 1976 CBS German pressings of Backdoor Possibilities are moderately sought after, with mint copies usually ranging between €50–€100. Later reissues are widely available and affordable, but first pressings remain a must-have for serious Birth Control and 70s European hard rock collectors.

Keywords: Birth Control Backdoor Possibilities review, German hard rock 1976, Krautrock melodic rock albums, Birth Control vinyl collector, 70s progressive hard rock