FLAMMENDE HERZEN

Lots of elegant guitar on this first solo release from the co-founder of Neu! In his former band, Rother was responsible for much of the melody while ur-punk Klaus Dinger added the gravel and punch. That division is reflected in this record, which is steeped in a European romanticism speaking more of rivers than autobahns. But though often pretty, it's not all languid. Jaki Liebezeit of Can provides the quintessential krautrock motorik beat while Rother does the rest. 'Karussell' could have been on Neu!75?superb. At a touch over 34 minutes, it feels too brief, yet remains a very satisfying instrumental record. (The CD re-issue of Flammende Herzen adds a couple of inessential remixes).