Birth Control - Titanic (1978)

Birth Control - Titanic (1978)

Tracklist front / back album covers

Birth Control – Titanic (1978)

Tracklist:

1. Titanic

2. Lady in Black

3. Mr. Crowley

4. I Need Your Love

5. I Wanna Be Free

6. Blood on the Streets

7. Don’t Leave Me

Review:
Titanic (1978) represents Birth Control’s final studio evolution of the 70s, blending melodic hard rock, progressive textures, and accessible radio-friendly arrangements. Following the more commercial direction of Increase, this album delivers polished production while retaining the band’s trademark Hammond organ riffs and driving guitar work.

The opening track “Titanic” immediately asserts a strong, commanding presence with heavy riffs and rhythmic precision, reflecting the band’s confidence after nearly a decade of recording. Tracks like “Lady in Black” and “Mr. Crowley” showcase Birth Control’s ability to balance melodic sensibilities with dynamic instrumental interplay, appealing to fans of both hard rock and melodic prog.

Songs such as “I Need Your Love” and “I Wanna Be Free” lean into a softer, more melodic approach, demonstrating the band’s versatility and willingness to experiment beyond their early heavy rock roots. “Blood on the Streets” and “Don’t Leave Me” provide contrast with heavier riffs and thematic intensity, maintaining a sense of edge and progressive depth.

Overall, Titanic is a solid late-70s release that captures Birth Control’s adaptability, bridging the gap between their early heavy progressive sound and the more melodic hard rock that dominated the European charts in the late 70s. While not as raw or aggressive as Operation or Hoodoo Man, it remains an essential listen for fans of 70s German rock and progressive hard rock.

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Fun Facts & Trivia:

• Titanic was the last major studio release by Birth Control in the 1970s before lineup changes and decreased recording output.

• The title track is often interpreted as a metaphor for societal collapse, consistent with the band’s history of social commentary.

• This album features some of the band’s most polished production, with a cleaner mix that highlights both guitar and organ textures.

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Did You Know?

• “Mr. Crowley” is not an Ozzy cover, but rather a Birth Control original inspired by darker themes in popular culture.

• Many live performances of tracks from Titanic featured extended organ and guitar solos, keeping the band’s early 70s spirit alive on stage.

• Collectors often see Titanic as a culmination of Birth Control’s 70s sound, blending accessibility with classic heavy Krautrock energy.

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Selling / Collector’s Info:

Original 1978 CBS German pressings of Titanic are less common than earlier albums, with mint copies generally ranging from €60–€130. Later reissues are easier to find, but first pressings remain highly desirable for Krautrock collectors and 70s hard rock enthusiasts.

Keywords: Birth Control Titanic review, German hard rock 1978, Krautrock late 70s albums, Birth Control vinyl collector, melodic progressive rock 70s