Neu! '75
Neu
1975
Tracks
1. Isi
2. See Land
3. Leb' Wohl
4. Hero
5. E-Musik
6. After Eight
I am currently trying to write a short story. I sat down to write today and I thought "maybe some great music will get the juices flowing." Flash forward forty five minutes and I still haven't written a word. However, the music was okay so I suppose this hasn't been a complete loss.
If I had stopped listening to the album halfway through, I would have enjoyed it a lot more. The first half of the album had some great beats. However, then we move into the second half, which not only has horrible vocals but just plain bad songs. It sounded like they were half heartedly trying to create an album of soothing sounds to play when people are trying to meditate.
However, I hesitate to give this album a low rating because the first twenty minutes were fantastic, with "Isi" standing out. Unfortunately, Neu just couldn't keep it up. Oh well, maybe I will try to be inspired to write by a movie now.
RATING: 3/5
Phaedra
Tangerine Dream
1974
Tracks
1. Phaedra
2. Mysterious Semblance at the Strand of Nightmares
3. Movements of a Visionary
4. Sequent c'
I know I will be revealing my nerdiness to a damning degree here when I say this, but if planet Hoth had a soundtrack, it would be this album. The whole album has a very ice planet feel, for those that don't speak geek. I have no idea why it is an ice planet and not just another planet but to answer that, you have to listen to the album.
The entire album is synthesized weird noises. It sounds like that would get obnoxious but it actually is soothing (and only 30 minutes). Still, I don't know if semi relaxing noises has a place in this list. But next time you want to listen to music to de stress, this is certainly a viable option.
RATING: 3/5
Autobahn
Kraftwerk
1974
Tracks
1. Autobahn
2. Kometenmelodie 1
3. Kometenmelodie 2
4. Mitternacht
5. Morgenspaziergang
Well, that was exceptionally strange. Fortunately, I like experiencing weird new things (you have to if you want to try any of the 1001 lists).
For my non German readers, Autobahn refers to the German highways. Apparently, the song "Autobahn" is supposed to make you feel like you are riding that highway. I mean, if you riding the highway but there were a bunch of synthesizers on the side of the road.
So, obviously, I couldn't understand anything that was being said. But it really doesn't matter. I am not a big instrumental album fan but this was absolutely incredible. This is definitely a huge musical leap from folksy people singing with a guitar. There are some strange moments but overall really enjoyable and fun.
RATING: 5/5
Faust IV
Faust
1973
Tracks
1. Krautrock
2. Sad Skinhead
3. Jennifer
4. Just A Second (Starts Like That)/Picnic On A Frozen River/Deuxieme Tableux
5. Giggy Smile
6. Lauft... Heist Das Es Lauft Oder Es Kommt Bald... Lauft
7. It's A Bit Of A Pain
In exciting Amanda news, I finished one of my blogs yesterday, Happy on Purpose. Just goes to show that these are achievable tasks and I am not crazy! Well, maybe just a little bit.
Anyway, for some reason the book is obsessed with krautrock. It is certainly…different. It sounds kind of like early sixties acid rock's less talented little brother. The same genre but just not as exciting or interesting.
I still don't understand krautrock or why they keep putting it in. Maybe it is an acquired taste?
RATING: 2/5
Future Days
Can
1973
Tracks
1. Future Days
2. Spray
3. Moonshake
4. Bel Air
All right, so the book introduces us to a new genre today titled "krautrock". Apparently, this is the name given to German experimental music in the early 1970s. From that description, I feel like people generally don't hear about it too much. And after this album, I have no desire to anymore.
God, I hate it when I have such a bad string of albums so all the readers have to just hear me bitch and complain. I will try to keep it short. This album is pretty much space rock with some chanting. So yeah.
RATING: 1/5
Tago Mago
Can
1971
Tracks
1. Paperhouse
2. Mushroom
3. Oh Yeah
4. Halleluhwah
5. Aumgn
6. Peking O
7. Bring me Coffee or Tea
I am in a really pissy mood right now because I just got totally guilted into going to a party where I know virtually no one. ARGH!!!
Anyway, I think this is the first album on the list that is German. This kind of music is called krautrock. Bet you didn't know that. Every time you go on my blogs, you learn something. It truly is a gift from me to you.
This album is really long, clocking in at a little under two hours. Oh shit, I have to go now to the stupid party. I didn't like it.
RATING: 2/5
