Krautrocksampler Top 50 Albums

Yeah, I've listened to a few of these records - the alphabetic Top 50 from Julian Cope's genrexploding tome, Krautrocksampler (1995). But not near enough for someone who actually claims to be a fan. (Maybe it's the lack of Agitation Free that agitates me?)

Okay, so I'll link at least one big tune from each... Try to say (or learn) something about each one... And if the full album stream is available, I'll put that one linked from the record title.

1. Amon Düül - Paradieswärts Düül (1970)
They had a single, which was "Eternal Flow." So, Amon Düül was like a hippie arts & music commune happening. But things didn't go so smoothly, leading to a break. Of which the regular version was the lesser.

2. Amon Düül II - Phallus Dei (#13, 1969)
The splitters (II) got the better of it. Amon Düül II let loose and certainly get crazy - all over the place on their debut. I'd just listen to the album from the start (title link), but here's one of the later tunes: "Henriette Krotenschwanz."

3. Amon Düül II - Yeti (1970)
See how there's like a 4-to-1 albums advantage here? Another top-notch record of jammin' out - dig this killer video for "Eye-Shaking King."

4. Amon Düül II - Carnival in Babylon (1972)
Okay, I've never gotten these next two... will have to check them out sometime. I found this 'vid from 1973' (almost at random): "All The Years 'Round."

5. Amon Düül II - Wolf City (1972)
O "Deutsch Nepal" video, you had me at 'animation from Ralph Bakshi.'

6. Ash Ra Tempel - Ash Ra Tempel (1971)
Side A is "Amboss," the German word for 'anvil.' Whereas, side B is "Traummaschine." Traum means 'dream'... and I leave the rest of the translation to you. Ashra, Tempel. Ash Ra. Guitars, rock, ambient, space, long-form, cosmic drift, into... jams.

7. Ash Ra Tempel - Schwingungen (1972)
So, yeah - the self-titled one is the only Ash Ra that I've got. This is post-Klaus Schulze who left both Tangerine Dream and this band after like one album each. You could do worse than to explore this excerpt from "Suche und Liebe" maybe?

8. Timothy Leary & Ash Ra Tempel - Seven Up (1973)
I don't think Timothy Leary was German... maybe Irish? "Time," the B-side to "Space."

9. Ash Ra Tempel - Join Inn (1973)
I've never seen or heard of this album outside of Cope's list (and it's not the only one). Therefore, I'd bet it's just mind-blowing! Is it? "Jenseits [A]?"

10. Can - Monster Movie (#17, 1969)
Legendary band! I wish I could claim to be more of a fan of their original (American) singer, Malcolm Mooney. But that's not exactly the case. "Yoo Doo Right" though, right? Do you?

11. Can - Soundtracks (1970)
These are tunes from/for films. A bit o' Malcolm, and a bit o' Damo (Suzuki) - their subsequent (Japanese) signer. I'm not gonna look it up, but like someone named "Mother Sky" like 30th best 'guitar rock' song or somesuch. It is real good.

12. Can - Tago Mago (1971)
Entering in the classic period of awesomeness, Can's next few albums would be stellar. I'd love to get my hands on a 7" single of epic jam "Halleluwah." Bonus: some video for "Mushroom!"

13. Can - Ege Bamyasi (#4, 1972)
The krautfunkiest. Here's some real official video for "Vitamin C"... apparently? Not from 1972, I am thinking.

14. Can - Delay 1968 (1981)
I myself have never bothered to get this long-shelved Mooney-era album. One day, I'm sure. One song I do have would be "Uphill" - it's on the Anthology: 25 Years collection (1993).

15. Cluster - Cluster II (1972)
Is there even a Cluster I?? O yeah, with Conny Plank. He's gone by this time, so it's just the awesomely named duo of Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius - and makin' like "Live in der Fabrik." It's e-lec-tron-i-cal!

16. Cluster - Zuckerzeit (1974)
The video description for "Heiße Lippen" says this album was produced by Michael Rother, "their bandmate in Harmonia" and member of Neu! (foreshadowing)... That explains quite a bit actually. For some reason, only opening track "Hollywood" is blocked on YouTube - SoundCloud workaround!

17. Cluster - Sowiesoso (1996)
"Zum wohl" or the title track? On the way more mellow, from Rother's motorik movement towards Eno's ambience.

18. Tony Conrad & Faust - Outside the Dream Syndicate (1972)
Just drone out to the whole gig! Know your Dream Syndicate.

19. The Cosmic Jokers - The Cosmic Jokers (#6, 1973)
The whole album there starts with Side 1: "Galactic Joke." Or you could try Track 2 = Side 2: "Cosmic Joy."

The (possibly/partially true) urban legend was summarized in my Top 10 entry for this one:

Haha! The galactic joke is on you - and the musicians here. Kosmische label-head offered drugs to jam, recorded, ripped, and sold it up! You'd think Ash Ra Tempel and Klaus Schulze would be wiser upfront, but they had to find out by hearing themselves playing in the record stores. Not only that, but there were like four Cosmic Jokers albums mixed up out of these drug-jam-parties! It's a trip.

Their Wiki page might give a more technically accurate description, but basically...

20. The Cosmic Jokers - Galactic Supermarket (1974)
The whole album there starts with Side 1: "Kinder des Alls." Or you could try Side 2, parts 1 & 2: "Galactic Supermarket." These first two are the only TCJ that I've gotten - worth pursuing further, though. Let's find out!

21. The Cosmic Jokers - Planeten Sit-In (1974)
Wait, Harald Großkopf? I guess I never put it together, but he's been on all of these. Also, you can proceed straight to a more jamming middlish freak-out section.

22. The Cosmic Jokers - Sci-Fi Party (1974)
Looking at the tracklist, I think this one collects tunes from other projects - possibly alternative takes or mixes or whatever. Like "Der Herrscher" is probably from Tarot (#49).

23. The Cosmic Jokers - Gilles Zeitschiff (1974)
I'm tellin' you - Julian Cope really digs The Cosmic Jokers. Intended videos have been removed at the last minute.

Adapt!! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.

24. Faust - Faust (1971)
There's no denying Faust is legendary, but... There's something that keeps me from getting on board with them. Some thing(s) pretty significant. I've never been a huge fan of cut-and-paste (unless you're like Teo Macero), and I really don't care for much of the components that Faust actually cutted-and-pasted. The problem might be mine, but there it is.

25. Faust - So Far (1972)
This was supposed to be their Faust Sell Out album. I'm pretty good with the lead-off track, but yeah. Maybe the inscrutability of the debut (and the legend) casts too much shade on the rest? I'm going to listen to this record now - until I need to listen to something else for posting.

26. Faust - The Faust Tapes (1973)
Or maybe I should listen to The Faust Tapes, for possibly the first time? "It's a Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl" isn't halfway over. [It was at this point, I began reconsidering the wisdom of putting all fifty albums in a single post. 'Will this benefit anyone... besides me?' Best to plunge through, so as to avoid an existential crisis of confidence. 'What is blog... for?' J'ai mai aux dents. Lalalalala!!]

27. Faust - Faust IV (1974)
So later on, Faust named one of their songs "Krautrock" - why not? The Flaming Lips included "It's A Bit Of A Pain" on their Late Night Tales comp (#5 Repertoire, 2005).

28. Sergius Golowin - Lord Krishna von Goloka (1973)
What's up with these Swiss non-musician, spoken-word figures of mystical youth culture? Like hippie poetry slam in a language I don't speak, with a better soundtrack. "Die Weiße Alm" is The White Alpine Meadow.

English lyrical translation = Kṛṣṇa Consciousmess Wow.

29. Guru Guru - UFO (1970)
No Hinten (1971), no Kanguru (#9, 1972)? Strange. Guru Guru is somewhat notable for their drummer, Mani, being the singer & bandleader. Yet more jazzy-jammy-trippy rock explorations into outer-space. Finishes up with "Der LSD-Marsch."

30. Harmonia - Musik von Harmonia (1974)
Okay, so - Harmonia is all of Cluster (Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius) plus half of Neu! (Michael Rother). I think maybe it started off just a side-project lark, but turned out really good. Check out the "Watussi" and the "Dino."

31. Harmonia - Deluxe (1975)
Haha, "Gollum." Produced by Connie Plank (original member of Cluster)! Drums by Manu Neumeier (of Guru Guru)! I'm gonna get me this one. Gollum.

32. Kraftwerk - Kraftwerk (1972?)
Not sure which one this is supposed to be - the 1971 self-titled debut, or the 1972 sequel? There's links to both. I'm not saying Cope doesn't believe it, but it's questionable to leave off the entirety of Kraftwerk's more famous & influential later work. His list, though.

33. La Düsseldorf - La Düsseldorf (1976)
The other half of Neu! (Klaus Dinger), plus his brother, plus a '72 Olympian. (Maybe? seems unlikely...) "Time" from another 'Konrad Plank' production.

34. La Düsseldorf - Viva (1978)
What?! La Düsseldorf had some hits? Like Wiki-worthy singles? Best-selling "Rheinita" (#3 in Germany), and the higher-charting "Silver Cloud" (#2)... whoa.

35. Moebius & Plank - Rastakraut Pasta (1980)
Yeah, this is Dieter Moebius of Cluster and Conny Freakin' Plank, but still. I don't think this one's ever making my personal (lesser than Julian Cope's) Krautrock Top 50. Hmmm... post idea. Anyway, maybe I just take issue with the name and year and entire concept of this one: "Feedback 66" and also "News."



36. Neu! - Neu! (#3, 1972)
I love Neu! Who doesn't? Maybe I should have started the list with this one. Maybe I do need to make my own Krautrock Top 50 Albums list. I love making lists! Who doesn't?

So this starts off with "Hallogallo," and that's enough to rank it high in any year. And guess who produced? Yup, Konrad 'Conny' Plank again. When you hear motorik, you should first hear Neu!, and then the other bands that followed them. We don't need no syncopation. "Sonderangebot" cymbal-swirls into your cerebral vortex. If you like what Pink Floyd was doing in 1972, or what The Alps were doing in 2008, you should like "Weissensee." Penultimate track "Im Glück" is drone/ambient ultimate. "Negativland" will destroy you. There's another part at the end ("Lieber Honig"), but I want to talk about how Side 2 comprises a three-part suite called Jahresübersicht [year overview]. There's no mention of that anywhere on my copy, but it's all over the internet. Always something...

O wait, there it is! It's written below Side 1's track list, at the bottom of a different column than its segment tracks' titles. I've never noticed that. Wild.

37. Neu! - Neu! 2 (1973)
So this one. The sequel is somehow simultaneously way overrated and unfairly maligned. Yeah, opener "Für Immer" borders on self-plagiarism of previous opener "Hallogallo." Who's complainin'? And sure, all of Side 2 is basically speed-shifted self-remixes of previous tunes. What I want to know is whether Chrome ever covered "Lila Engel." Also weird stuff about "Super 16" and the legacy from the wuxia Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976).

38. Neu! - Neu! '75 (1975)
So the opening track "Isi" was released as a British single but failed. Somehow it fails to surprise me that this wasn't 1975 UK chart material. I would recommend this one (black field, white letters) after the debut (white field, red letters) but before Neu! 2 (white field, gray letters, pink number). "Hero" is a great rock song - it is not about Batman, though.

39. Popol Vuh - Affenstunde (1970)
Although the original Popol Vuh is a corpus of mytho-historical narratives from the Postclassic Quiché Maya kingdom in Guatemala's western highlands, and the band has a prominent leader in Florian Fricke, the main connection that comes to mind will always be film-maker Werner Herzog. Wikipedia lists six soundtracks for some of his most famous movies, but it seems like more. Anyway, none of their albums listed here have anything to do with Herzog. Just thought I'd mention it.

Wiki also says their debut "can be regarded as one of the earliest space music works, featuring the then new sounds of the Moog synthesizer together with ethnic percussion." Not sure of the relevance, but here's 2004 re-release bonus track "Train through Time."

40. Popol Vuh - In den Gärten Pharaos (1971)
I dig this tripped-out, meditative spillage. The title track is the first side, and the second side is called just "Vuh." Organtastic!

41. Popol Vuh - Hosianna Mantra (1972)
Holy stylistic whiplash! So long electro-organ drones into the Pre-Columbian spirit mind, hello piano-forte exploration of European classical odes to Protestant joy. And here's a video for "Kyrie."

42. Popol Vuh - Einsjäger & Siebenjäger (1974)
Pretty sure this was the first Popol Vuh record I ever owned. Way more into a traditional jamband rock style than anything so far. Really nice, tuneful playing. I thought the title was something like "Earth and Sky," but maybe that came from the artwork - it actually translates literally as "one hunter & seven hunters." Starts off with "Kleiner Krieger / King Minos," ends with the massive title track. For more on later Popol Vuh, check out this old post.

Hey, maybe I will leave this as one single mega-post!

43. Tangerine Dream - Electronic Meditation (1970)
Alright, so the debut album - and the only one to feature Klaus Schulze (Ash Ra's debut) and Conrad Schnitzler (original Cluster line-up), as well as constant TG main-man Edgar Froese. I haven't spent a lot of time with it, but seems like a total late-'60s freak-out. "Ashes to Ashes" swings quite groovy.

44. Tangerine Dream - Alpha Centauri (1971)
Definitely the first Tangerine album I ever bought - probably not where I'd start with them. Like with some of the other bigger acts, I think I prefer the material later in or after Cope's timeframes. And as the title "Alpha Centauri" would indicate, here is where their space music begins.

45. Tangerine Dream - Zeit (1972)
Okay, these next two are definitely getting there. I mean OUT there. I realize this one's a double-album of space-drones, but I highly suggest going through the whole experience.

46. Tangerine Dream - Atem (1973)
Or maybe this one instead/as well... It's not a double, the overall tone is quite different. And to think, it actually / arguably gets better over the next handful of albums!

47. Klaus Schulze - Irrlicht (1972)
Nice video for "1. Satz: "Ebene"." Klaus Schulze has been mentioned before, as being present for the beginning phases of Ash Ra Tempel, Cluster, Tangerine Dream, in addition to facilitating the Cosmic Jokers' sessions. But he mainly worked alone, playing synthesizer music. Because I'd heard the most about Timewind (1975), I think that's his only solo record I've listened to. This was the first...

48. Klaus Schulze - Blackdance (1974)
And this was the third - skipping Cyborg (1973) for some reason. "Ways of Changes" serves as the launchpad. You may also remember Klaus Schulze because he was my first guess when the Maserati merch-tablist told me that Jonas Reinhardt were some German guy.

49. Walter Wegmüller - Tarot (1973)
This is a real fun one - like a loonier Sergius Golowin (#28), backed by mostly The Cosmic Jokers (#19-23). It's mystical spoken-word in Swiss German, over rockin' Krautjams. Almost at random, check out "Der Herrscher" [The Emperor?] - less Tarotish, but more hilarious are the band introductions of "Der Narr" [The Fool]. But go ahead & explore around. Here's some Major Arcana of the Wegmüller deck, which I think came with this original album.

50. Witthüser & Westrupp - Trips und Träume (1971)
And of course we should finish on an album that I know absolutely nothing about, at all. From a quick trip around the web via the search engine machine, I'm going to say: acid-prog-folk. The last song "Nimm doch einen Joint, mein Freund" sounds in line with the first - a bit more jangly, jaunty and music-hall. Maybe not exactly my thing, but can't everything be.

HaHa Sound - Broadcast (#7, 2003)

I really just don't have much to say these days, I suppose.

I was introduced to Broadcast super-late, with ... and The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age (#6 Drone/Ambient, 2009) - which I've enjoyed a lot. HaHa Sound is a terrific album of radiophonic experimental pop, with some folkish nods, and even a little Stereolabic krautiness.

As promised, here are some excellent external YouTube videos for most of the album - Broadcast fans make the effort!



"Colour Me In" from Haha Sound (2003)

Do I have a track-by-track gimmick? Not yet I don't!

Uhhh, I'm sure I've done this before... But since I'm posting user-content videos, how about user-submitted lyrical interpretation? At least until they run dry.

Per SongMeanings.net:

It is the living, subconscious dream of perfection that we all have, be it a person, a beautiful place, a meaning, or state of being. We need to set the ideal, and set out to find it.

"Pendulum" from Haha Sound (2003)

A common SongMeanings take:

This song is about tripping.

"Before We Begin" from Haha Sound (2003)

Socratic debate over at SongMeanings:

is it about making love?
I think it's more about coming back into a relationship

Strangely enough, this theory doesn't show up nearly as much as you'd imagine. Might say something about lyric freaks - I dunno, I just listen to the sounds, man.



"Valerie" from Haha Sound (2003)

Factual trivia à la SongMeanings take:

This song is on the Skins soundtrack and is a cover of the theme from the Czech film "Valerie and her Week of Wonders" but with English words.

"Man Is Not A Bird" from Haha Sound (2003)

Only lyrics at SongMeanings-dot-net:

The sky is faint, their tears remain
In me the rain has stopped falling
The fading light, walls barely white
In me the night has stopped calling

I will not lament with the sky
No longer feel night on the inside

Here in this room, no more a tomb
Thoughts of you conclude without ending
Caution will keep, worries still speak
Fewer the leaves are descending

I will not lament with the sky
No longer feel night on the inside

Here in this room, no more a tomb
Thoughts of you conclude without ending

The lonely distance and time
The only tears falling outside
I will not lament with the sky
No longer feel night on the inside

The lonely distance and time
The only tears falling outside

Probably about tripping...



"Minim" from Haha Sound (2003)

The grammar lessons of SongMeanings:

Very close. "Ändern" is in the infinitive (with poetic gapped "sich", )so a better translation is probably "Man and wind are quick to change."

I guess that's how they punctuate & parenthesize in German, huh?



"Lunch Hour Pops" from Haha Sound (2003)

Pretty sure this is some SongMeanings.net drug code:

This song is so, so cute!! Love her voice ...

Haha, nice try! "Black Umbrellas" is instrumental.



"Ominous Cloud" from Haha Sound (2003)

Only lyrics at SongMeanings... Despite fleeting moments of true liberty and happiness, the horizon is often darkened by potential misfortune, and you must learn when to prepare for the inevitable & when to celebrate the good times as long as possible.

Rhythmic interlude: "Distorsion"

I believe that "Oh How I Miss You" represents an effort by the speaker to communicate just how much she misses the object of the song ("you").



"The Little Bell" from Haha Sound (2003)

Acclamation via SongMeanings:

I absolutely love the analogies here. Broadcast is amazing

I was somehow expecting a lot of in-depth analysis from Broadcast fans, like the extra effort on some of the videos.



"Winter Now" from Haha Sound (2003)

Truly.

Rest in Peace

And someone made their video for "Hawk" private, and there are no comments over at SongMeanings - so great job! If you've got Spotify, try here. Otherwise:

Sow the seeds
Of everything to be
Safe in sleep
I winter in my dreams

Speak your words
Define your grief for me
Out of reach
Some things just can not be

Now is the winter of our beautiful bummer...

Genre - Hauntological Art-Pop
Official/Myspace - myspace.com/broadcastuk
Location - Birmingham, UK

Review - Treble Zine
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - Amazon

Kraut-Doc

Lots of good stuff well worth investigating on this Pitchfork list of 20 Essential Music Docs, but here's what I'm recommending:



Krautrock: The Rebirth of Germany (2009)

Quite nice BBC4 doc about one of my more favored genres.



There's probably more to say, but I'm still planning for this weekend...



"Phaedra" by Tangerine Dream, from Phaedra (1974)

Ahhh, here's some Tangerine Dream (#4, 1974). Have a good one!

Big Year o' Space-Rock

Looking at the Aural Innovation 2012 roll-up, I see some overlap with my own mind. (Linüs! Organs! CAN!)

But like Alexander Tucker, also a bunch of intriguing leads - things I overlooked or maybe totally forgot. (White Hills @ Roadburn 2011 probably deserved to be in the Top 10 Live/Comp/Etc...)



"I am Utopia" by Saturnia, from AlphaOmegaAlpha (2012)

This record was on a couple of lists, and that's some classic cover art. Here's a full-album playlist, starting with the next/2nd song. Pretty sweet - read the Aural Innovations review.

Currently on sale (30% off) at AllThatIsHeavy: 2xCD / 2xLP.



"Lupine" by Farflung, from Black Rainbows split (2012)

Some more new Farflung (#5, 1995 & #29, 2010) that I missed! Their portion continues with "Punching Hole In The Twilight" and "No Circuit." The Black Rainbows are from Rome, Italy. Their side consists of "Let It Shine" followed by "The River, The Moon, The White Lake, The Megaelectrofantafuzzspace" - and then another track. Never heard of 'em before.

Currently on sale (20% off) at AllThatIsHeavy: CD / LP.



Head Music comp (2012) playlist [mostly excerpts]

I really, really, really meant to buy this, but forgot. Gonna try to rectify that real soon - but in the meantime, there's a bunch of samples for almost the whole compilation.

Also need to follow up on Hidria Spacefolk, Ancestors, Aqua Nebula Oscillator and... Indonesian post-rock comp???

Whoa. Based on the compilation page, this is a free download. [Click to Mediafire.] More free at the full label discography... Thanks, Keith Henderson!

P.S. Sorry if the image is confusing. The ranked Post-Rock Indonesia comp was Hope and Dreams - I just liked the cover of Lat Home, Indonesia! better.

EvMaEpRoArLwDaSvE

Obviously more tracks from the recent Emeralds (#2, 2010) record have made their way out...



"Search for Me in the Wasteland" from Just to Feel Anything

That's pretty swell - and quite different than the first couple we'd heard. Thinking more about getting... but first!


Emeralds - live at Unsound 2010, Krakow by FACT magazine

Check it out: live in Poland, 2010! ... from FACT Mag ... via Dummy Mag. I just found out that Emeralds will be playing live at the 35 Denton Festival in March. Maybe they can make it down here?

Dummy Mag also had a Steve Hauschildt (Emeralds synth) Hurricane Sandy mix streaming, so check that out too.

Plus a 2-part feature on "Vaporwave" and "Distroid." (???)


"Vaporwave" mix by DummyMag

Not sure if they ever covered bunnygl!tch before... Quick! Micro-genre before they come back!!

Music for the Tactile Dome & The Prime Revealer EP - Jonas Reinhardt (#9, 2011)

As I mentioned in the history of Jonas... at first I liked them (2008), then I forgot them (2010), but they came back strong again (2011)! With one EP & one full-length album - both terrific.

Let's start with the Music for the Tactile Dome LP - the cover of which is far below, along with the assorted information links at the bottom of this post.

For some reason, internet evidence of "Eos the Dawn" (download / stream @MySpace) is disappearing... That was how I learned about the impending return of Jonas Reinhardt - and now it's reduced to appearing only on a discontinued website & MySpace. O yeah, and on Astral MP3 comp Volume 6 (***current download link***)!

That is quite a trip. Start over at the beginning & see if you can figure out how you got there. It begins with four distinct synths, but I still can't tell whether they drop out to be replaced or if it juggles 4 mutating lines throughout.

Jonas Reinhardt - Smokey Jotus from Not Not Fun on Vimeo.

About a month later, "Smokey Jotus" (video & D/L) showed up, also at Altered Zones. This was getting interesting... So interesting I put it on the next blog comp, Vol. 5 (***new download link***). Those drums are addictive, and you kinda have to squint to parse all of the synth strains freaking out - especially with the dazzling video rolled out. Visuals done by the album cover artist!

I had missed it at the time, but somewhere in there Self-Titled Mag posted an interview, along which they had included a preview of "Neuköln" (mit D/L) - a wild David Bowie cover? And come to think of it, that one appeared on Volume 7 (***download link***), an instant classic. Also, many of those Prins Thomas collaboration tracks are available for download and streaming at the Jonas SoundCloud, although they are mostly quite different from the works under discussion here.



"The Tactile Dome" from Music for the Tactile Dome (2011)

Whoa, I did everything all out of order... Felt good. But honestly, the opening salvo on the LP itself also satisfies. Kind of a semi-titular track. Kind of ring-modulator cycle. On Side A, we also get the burble & drift of the eventually Floydian "To Lord Eminence" and the harsh & elliptical meander of "Hander Zander."

The remaining tracks on Side B are all still up at ye olde MySpace: self-destruct alarm "Arise Tempi," mellow New Age meditation "Headband Harvest," and amorphous closer "Leaving the Touch Taboo."

Vinyl edition of 650, but I'm gonna move on to the EP now...

Jonas Reinhardt - Only Pharoah from Isabel Salvado on Vimeo.

Seven months after all the previous AZ entries, they posted up that video from the new etched-out The Prime Revealer EP (with free download). Which I dutifully included on the blog comp Volume 8 (***download link***).

Yet another side of Reinhardt, that one (and the video) bring to mind the British hauntology of the Ghost Box label. Although with some familiarity, you can hear the Jonas sound asserting itself gradually with progression.

I should pay more attention to video & cover artists, which again in this case are the same person: Isabel Salvado. The EP cover is confusingly the image above the LP discussion above. At the moment, her website discusses the artwork...

Design intent: The LP album design ... While the sum of the artwork's objects relate to the pluridimensionality of Jonas Reinhardt's music, it is centered in this project... Jonas Reinhardt engage listeners by bringing forth the concepts of their albums. Hence, I attempted to make my complements agree with all parts.

The top opening of the jacket extends the volumetric distortion of the images when it's widened to pull the record. The side openings of the structure show the sahara desert' sand which is continuous from front to back, adding to the three-dimensionality of the package. Moreover, the labels of the vinyl display inner aspects of the correspondent front and back images of the jacket. Having little idea of how the vinyl etching was going to look like, the labels were made not to go against the etches. Some of the ways the objects interact with each other and with the holder are exemplified below.

Yeah, each vinyl side has a wide swath of etchings outside of the music bands. It's very cool! I didn't know the video & cover were done by the same person, nor any of those details, until I was writing this post. Good stuff... I'll try to do better next time.


The Prime Revealer by Jonas Reinhardt

Electro-kraut-pulse to the Gates of Heaven!! (and/or hell...)

Despite the ability to download both (title track via down-arrow there), you should consider grabbing this fantastic EP. Limited edition of 500 from The Great Pop Supplement. Website indicates they might still have some in stock maybe - e-mail label with inquiries & orders. Or maybe try Phonica Records in England?

Nine down, one to go. Then another 10 again...

Genre - Krautronics
Official - jonasreinhardt.com/
Myspace - myspace.com/jonasreinhardt
Location - San Francisco, CA

Review - Foxy Digitalis
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - The Great Pop Supplement [EP] /
Forced Exposure [all others]

The Story So Far: Jonas Reinhardt #9

I've had kind of a bumpy road with San Francisco electro-Kraut combo Jonas Reinhardt, including a whole album getting skipped. Given time & space considerations, it's a good thing they've only been around since 2008 or so!

Long ago, I told the original story of discovery and their self-titled debut album. Made a couple of videos too!



"Modern By Nature's Reward" from Jonas Reinhardt (2008)

I can't remember now if Maserati included that one (download from band), or "How to Adjust People" (my video / free download), on their pre-set mixtape. Actually a really nice album of Euphonious Kraut Metronomy, still available on Kranky Records.

This seems to be relatively obscure. Other than those 2 songs (one from me), I could only find album-opener "Lyre of David" on the YouTubes. If you get past the Featured Music set on the band's MySpace, they do have several - plus a couple of 2009 live tracks and most of the related EP. Great tracks and titles such as "Fast Blot Declining," "Worm Preach the Struggling Fire," "Crept Idea for Mom," and others!



"Downright Cabal" from Modern By Nature's Reward EP (2008)

In fact, if interested, save that all-MySpace-songs link... quite the Jonas resource! The EP/maxi-single is more of the similar goodness - with the title track, "Cabal" there, "Witchcraft-prone," and "Port Lligat (Redux)."

Then everything fell apart...



In 2010, The Powers of Audition was my #2 album that I'd missed that year... and I'm still going strong (unfortunately). I know I was still following a bit, because I got their free Self-Titled Mag Needle Exchange 010 online mix (also available here).

Jonas Reinhardt - ATOMIC BOMB LIVING official video from Heidi Petty on Vimeo.

"Atomic Bomb Living" from Powers of Audition (2010)

I've never even downloaded (from here) the free "single" off this album! What is wrong with me? This one is likewise still available from Kranky. Not having the record, I'm going to have to make some educated guesses... check out "Mumma Deed Family Clone" (album opener), "Near a Mirrored Pit Viper" (#3 overall track on MySpace), and "Orbiter Dicta" (also available).

Then 2011 brought another free online mix from Italy's Dissonanze blog (also available here), and of course the #9 releases for the year. Reinhardt has been busy through this current year, including a cassette collaboration I've covered (with free track here), and a 12" single "Foam Fangs." Hey why not?!

JONAS REINHARDT - AUTO GRIFT teaser from 100% Silk on Vimeo.

Teaser vid probably ***Not-Safe-For-Work***

You can stream & download the A-side/title track over at Dublab. Stream a B-side (but no D/L) at the quite-nice JR SoundCloud, and another one here. A little too dance-y for me, I think... I like the last one "Hot Black Mastic" most - and especially the track image from the Astrodome scoreboard. So that's full previews for 3 out of 4 on that.

Anyway, check out the SoundCloud for more downloads, including several Prins Thomas collaborations & "Radtime Benediction" (of unknown origin).

Return to Form at Cloudland Canyon?

I must admit that I was a little disappointed in Cloudland Canyon's last album, Fin Eaves (still #30, 2010), after very much enjoying previous efforts. Also, I was sadly not blown away by their 2011 Austin Psych Fest gig, but I might have somewhat deflated during the extended synthesizer set-up delays.

First up... act fast!! Out today: post-pre-order's up for the Born Blonde single-plus at Trensmat - a "VERY limited edition pink-splatter vinyl 12" in silk-screened sleeve (+ 4 downloads)."
Like this:

Cloudland Canyon - Born Blonde (TR032) by trensmat

I might have to revisit Fin Eaves again when I get a chance, but for now, I've already received my 4-song MP3 download - and I like it so much more at this point.

But wait, there's more!!


"Aureliua" from Aureliua 12" single (2012)

You can pick up yet another recent Cloudland Canyon 12" from the Great Pop Supplement label. I found it at Aquarius Records. Okay, this isn't the same Cloudland Canyon as from 2008 or in 2007. But I am definitely on board. Looks like you can download the A-side title track from the band's SoundCloud. The physical object is "pressed in an edition of 500 copies, all on 'Sea Foam Green' vinyl no less..."

But wait, there's more of more!!

Yes. There's also a 3rd 12" out this year from Monofonus Press! (Stream the A-side at link...) So it's a trilogy of back-to-Kosmische, while retaining a dash of Italo? ¡Oye! In this last installment, we're talking "a milky white 45 rpm 12", and it’s one of three of this format that will be released by the band before the year is out. It’s a nice collection of 12" singles out on The Great Pop Supplement, Trensmat, and Monofonus. All three records were mastered by Sonic Boom" of Spacemen 3 (#5, 1987)!

What else could I possible offer you??

Krautwerk live Feat.members of Woodmsan by cloudland canyon

How about a downloadable 12-minute live jam with Woodsman (#2, 2011) on probably my favorite CC tune, from a July 2011 Daytrotter session (and/or this one)? I have literally no idea why there might be "Flaming Lips" tags on the Soundcloud there... but download it, live it, love it!

Brand New Emeralds

Looks like Emeralds (#2, 2010) have a new one upcoming as well... Straight outta Cleveland!

It will be called Just to Feel Anything, out November 5th on Editions Mego.



"Just to Feel Anything" from Just to Feel Anything (2012)

So there's the title track - sounds pretty good. I'm thinking that something must've leaked out, because I'm not seeing any talk of preview tracks. But no-one leaked anything to me.



"Adrenochrome" from Just to Feel Anything (2012)

Oops. I'm, uh, not too sure about that. Editions Mego calls it "a fast-paced excursion into new territory for the band."

Might have to wait on this one to see how much new territory will be covered, and/or how good that might sound. Or whether I'll have to wrap my mind around yet another band moving on from where I liked them...



Emeralds live at ATP, Pier 36, NYC, 9/22/2012

There I was, about to hit "Publish"... when I noticed that Emeralds played All Tomorrow's Parties in New York just last month. BAM! The other couple of videos are longer and closer: here & there.

Also, read this & download that.

Number Seven... Number Seven...

Well, the new Maserati record finally got here. Haven't had much of a chance to spin it, but that will change on the open road this weekend. The natural habitat of Maserati's high-speed, gear-shiftin'... okay, okay.

I'm not going to post the original preview track "The Eliminator" because: (1) I already did, and (2) you can stream it over at this new Maserati internet mixtape. Deep cuts!



"Abracadabracab" from Maserati VII (2012)

Despite being almost 11 minutes long, that one seems be getting a lotta love over the internets. Maybe it's the Genesis reference? (Another long tune that got a lotta love...)

Maserati have an all new website design. And new tour info - under "Tour." But not coming to Texas at all?



"Earth-Like" from Maserati VII (2012)

A topical song for the times - or as topical as an instrumental track can be. This was the 2nd preview track for this album, pretty hefty for them.

So far, the whole album sounds pretty good. There is one early tune that does kinda sound like disjointed mix-and-match with random Maserati sonic components. (Basically what I'd imagine Maserati sounds like to someone who doesn't dig it.) I think it might have been this one.



The geometric shapes on the cover are glossy and embossy on both the CD and the sweet double-dipped vinyl (clear with color blob). New full-time drummer fits well. You can order it here.

I'll try to post something other than recent or upcoming new releases over the weekend. Wish me luck!!

Fitzcarraldo - Werner Herzog (1982)

Another one not appearing on this Sight & Sound poll results, although it apparently did receive vote(s).

Actually... I've now figured out how to identify sub-#250/#100 rankings and will be retro-fitting some earlier posts.



Fitzcarraldo
dir. Werner Herzog. 1982, Germany.
Sight & Sound 2012: Critics' #558 / Directors' #224
Roger Ebert's Great Movies
DVD from Amazon
Watch via Hulu-Plus / Amazon Instant / iTunes



Fitzcarraldo trailer (1982)

Inspired by a true(-ish) story (or event), Klaus Kinski plays a white-suited doofus hell-bent on building a grand opera house for his rubber plantation shantytown in the middle of the Peruvian jungle. Once again typecast as the obsessive monomaniac, whose previous doomed project was a Trans-Andean Railroad. Also with Claudia Cardinale as the saucy bordello madam, Molly! Interesting that both of these characters appear Irish - "Fitzcarraldo" definitely is, since he is in reality Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald.

I was immediately struck by the many apparent similarities or homages to previous epic mission films. I scheduled it following Apocalypse Now based on this expectation: the madman on a jungle river (as with Herzog's Aguirre, S&S #90), doing things his own way, his "ideas, methods... unsound." And that previous movie did provide ample food for thought. "Zap 'em with your [phonograph], man!" and "Out there with these natives, it must be a temptation to be [a white god in a sacred vessel]"... and one I already knew - the parallel production catastrophes and resulting documentaries. Hearts of Darkness (1991) for Coppola, Burden of Dreams (1982) for Herzog.



You can also find a bit of David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia, with the main character being able to work with the dangerous natives only because he's such an oddball, and the two Jivaro urchins who attach themselves (here to the drunken Huerequeque). And there are others. Along with the White God and the Drunken Cook, you could almost create a Tarot deck out of the iconic types on display: the Famous Singer, the Rubber Baron, the Fancy Whore, the Sweaty Host, the Blind Captain, the Head Hunter, the Cholo Mechanic, The River, The Jungle, The Opera House...

I was surprised to learn that the treacherous ship transport was actually not even to build the opera house directly, but for a supporting hare-brained scheme to hopefully raise funds towards the central insane idea. So, doubly mad. Quite a few expectations upended, to tell the truth - the events didn't really proceed as much like I'd thought. This was not Aguirre: The Wrath of Redux... not so much cruelty or fatality, much more logistics.

Popul Vuh provided music for the soundtrack - awesome!!

World on a Wire - Fassbinder (1973)

Following the BFI's Sight & Sound poll, I'm exploring the highbrow fancypants world of film one at a time throughout September... and then blogging about it.

I first heard about this lost gem of weirdness from Salon when it was re-released last year.



World on a Wire (Welt am Draht)
dir. Rainer Werner Fassbinder. 1973, West Germany.
Roger Ebert's movie review ... Criterion essay
DVD/Blu-Ray from the Criterion Collection
Watch via Hulu-Plus



World on a Wire trailer (2011 re-release)

The only Fassbinder I'd ever seen was Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974, S&S #93), a used/rental Criterion DVD purchased from a going-out-of-business Cactus Music & Video - thankfully, since reborn. While that Sirk-ian melodrama sounds more typical of his movie-making, this one's a whole other thing: a PK Dick-Vonnegut-Kubrick-ian sci-fi headtrip epic. Two things I didn't realize going into this: (1) it was a two-parter TV movie, and (2) it's 3½ hours long!



So, yeah. The story moves fairly slowly, almost hypnotically. Turn off your subtitles, relax, and float downstream. It's not that nothing happens, just that Fassbinder seems more interested in filming sleek early-'70s auto design, groovy decor and sumptuous interiors. O, and so many mirrors! Every once in awhile, you'll visit some freaky-deaky cabaret / nightclub / dinner theatre. Or just an art-deco pool party - be sure to wear your suit padded with fake muscles. But the majority of Part 1 occurs in the ultra-modern offices of IKZ (das Institut für Kybernetik und Zukunftsforschung, the Institute for Cybernetics and Futurology). Various somethings are afoot, death and disappearance, problems with identity unit 0001 ("Einstein"), Ali is on security detail, the boss acts like kind of a jerk, the old conflict between the purity of scientific research and the commercial potential from the practical applications of that work.

Nice, unexpected use of Fleetwood Mac's "Albatross" as well...



I didn't really get to write too much about Alphaville in the back half of yesterday's Godard post, but one reason for choosing it was that it seemed a nice thematic transition into World on a Wire. Having never seen either of these movies, I couldn't have been more right. Not only are there thematic similarities, especially in each's core idea of a computer-controlled world... But the stylistic focus on interiors and design elements also carries over, although Godard used a deep noir-ish B&W, and Fassbinder's color scheme is kaleidoscopic bordering on garish. And structurally, both make fairly striking breaks in tone about halfway through. For this one, Part 2 moves away from mystery & intrigue over to more of an action/chase scenario. Also, there ends up being quite a bit of Sirk-ian melodrama after all - with all the secrets, love interests, suspicions, double-crosses, and the like.



I was really hoping that "Finnish poetess Araba Suukoonen" was real (like Jean Parvulesco in Breathless), but sadly not. Anyway, things get pretty crazy as our hero learns more about his grim fate. In making his escape from IKZ, he has a breakdown in a hallway that can be nothing other than a bright-line homage to the ending of Alphaville. Sports cars go flying through the city streets in chase. Once he makes it to his cabin in the woods, he finally has his sniper rifle! But he then gets attacked by a shape-shifting German Shepherd (what are they called in Germany?), then a tree, and then a giant explosion probably triggered by a tropical bird.

Sorry, maybe I should have ***SPOILER***'ed all that.

Dazed and confused, the hero stands in the road flagging down traffic. He's finally picked up by a Rolls Royce... the driver opens the door... he gets in the back seat... and sitting next to him is... Lemmy Caution!! Maybe not necessarily the character (maybe so?), but absolutely the lead actor from Alphaville. My cranium very nearly exploded. So, the movie continues to wrap up, but for me that was really the culmination. It all ends up with one last bizarre fancy-dress ball, one last making of the love (for tomorrow we die), one last shoot-out, one last switcheroo, one last "Albatross."

As the Criterion trailer says: "The Matrix before The Matrix!"