NEU!

When you're asking someone to name typical krautrock bands, Kraftwerk and NEU! are among the most frequently noted for sure. As for the historical and stylistical aspect there are some relations, no wonder. Drummer Klaus Dinger has been a member of the early Kraftwerk line-up, but left the band to form NEU! in 1971. Just compare 'Ruckzuck' coming from Kraftwerk's debut (I don't count the Organisation album here) with the opener of this album named Hallogallo - there is a similar repetitive vibe which is impressing. I would count both songs among the krautrock classics. So I'm a big fan of this kind of style each band had delivered in the early 70s - the later efforts though can't touch my soul.

This album was recorded during four nights in December 1971, without using any lyrics because 'words are so specific and always deniable' (Dinger). I already mentioned the opener, along with 'Ruckzuck' later often demanded in subculture discotheques. It's the special drive, yes, definetely dancable - and Klaus Dinger has a large share with his repetitive drum style. He offers the fundament for Michael Rother's interesting spacey flavoured guitar impressions. Yeah ... German song titles - from time to time I'm in the comfortable situation to draw on my native language.

Probably the next song Sonderangebot is literally meant as a special offer - weird swirling sounds coming from the guitar. Quasi placed as an experimental hiatus - and later fading into the spacey Weissensee - a bit Pink Floyd adopted but provided with a special bluesy touch on top of it. Im Glück tells us about the happineness when riding on a sailing boat ... or when luckily getting back to the anchoring place at least, as the case may be. This one is wrapped in samples including some distorted voices originally recorded on a boat - provided with a wonderful melancholic mood.

Negativland now shows another very repetitive behaviour but changing time signatures too. In opposite to the song title there is nothing to point out as negative. Weird samples including noises, originating from a construction area, experimental guitar appearance. Lieber Honig shows whacked out vocals and the boat samples are back again surprisingly - anything but honey - this track is not quite a challenge - has more of an uninspired filler instead of that - probably others might disagree.

Anyhow - in its entirety this debut constitutes a fantastic workout - not new but NEU! In opposite to endless jams equipped with a nearly perfect proportion of experimental and catchy impressions. This album is a must have for every krautrock collector - that's it! There's nothing more to say.