FAUST IV

I give the 5 star rating because unlike nearly every other album I could review, this contains all the elements to deserve it. My best way of describing it- the music is unexpected, both extremely melodic and dissonent, both cathcy and scathing, both quiet and loud, and above all, extremely memorable. The opening song literally hits you with viscious electronic parts and continues relentlessly with layer upon layer of intrigue until 11 minutes into the album. This opening track, to me, is very modern sounding, in a krautrock style. That in turn makes the next track all the more suprising, as it is completely different in nature, soudning more like jazzy classic rock with hints off punk, yet very progressive. A mere 3 minutes later, another sudden shift occurs to a soothing and distinct bass line that is the foundation of a song that sounds like nothing else. These first songs give a taste of whats to come, which is essentially everything. I don't think it matters what I say about the remaining tracks, except that they all contian as much variation, compositional skill, and intrigue as the first few. Above all, this album attracts my attention like no other album ever has, aside from possibly magma.