THE LAST LP

While by all accounts this isn't the fifth Faust album as there exists Faust V, which was a unreleased album the band created in '75, as well as Munic And Elsewhere, which was a compilation of unreleased demo tracks, The Last LP usually stands as the definitive fifth album by Faust. Though, some may argue Rien is the fifth Faust record, as it was recorded when the band reunited in 1990, and also because Last LP has the same idea as Faust V and Munic And Elsewhere, being unreleased tracks from 1971. However, I consider The Last LP to be their fifth album, mostly due to Progarchives listing it as such.

All that aside, what does Faust's "last" record hold? Well, this record was recorded in 1971, which was the same year when they released their very first record. You know what that means, we're back in totally weird Faust territory, and honestly that is probably the best thing about this record. While I cannot say Faust really became accessible, or less bizarre throughout their later recordings, they kinda were becoming a bit more laid back with their weird natures, at least as laid back as Faust could be. Not to say that was a bad move on the band's part, as it gave them a bit more leg room and creativity with their music as a whole, but I think it is good to see more of that meaty avant garde stuff Faust appealed to.

Last LP gives me all the weird golden check marks. A record filled with insanely odd passages, surreal noises, and moments that are way too psychedelic for their own good, and it all cements itself into a really enjoyable time for me. To me, this is like a more polished up version of the first Faust recording, and honestly I would have preferred if this was the second Faust record, and not So Far. Each song, for the most part, has their moments of fun krautrock that I look for when listening to Faust, so it all works out in the long run.

But I will go out on a limb and say while this record is a great and weird time, some songs here are kinda?whatever. The shorter tracks like Party 8, and Party 6 honestly could've just been left out if I am being perfectly clear, and Chromatic should've been so much better if they didn't give it a ton of filler in the way with that weird looping keyboard sound that goes through like most of the song.

Also, while this is certainly a good release, I do have to partially agree with user Phallus_Dei on RYM in that this record is kinda obsolete, as a lot of songs here are either on other albums, such as Giggy Smile being on Faust VI, or were re-released for 71 Minutes and BBC Sessions. However, I still think all that aside, if you just look at Last LP for what it's worth by itself, it is still an excellent tour through the weird side of Faust from the early 70s. I say listen to this first before listening to 71 Minutes and or the BBC Sessions.

The Last LP is not the last Faust LP, but if it was it definitely would be a good note to end on. However, since they didn't stop making music, we now have more Faust albums to listen to, which is a plus in my book. Give this one a listen, though that is easier said than done with the fact this album isn't on streaming. A shame, but if you can find it somewhere on the internet, whether Youtube or somewhere else, don't hesitate to give it a listen.

After FAUST had broken up in 1975, 2 years after the "Faust IV" album, their record label would release two albums in the eighties that were both compilations of live and previously unreleased tracks from the early seventies. The first from 1986 was called "Munic & Elsewhere" and the other "The Last LP" was from 1988. They would combine these two albums minus some tracks and call it "71 minutes Of Faust" and they released that in 1989. I do like the album cover for this record "The Last LP" and also the way they used the same one for "71 Minutes Of Faust" except they made the white lights yellow. Nice.

FAUST were a lot like CAN in their early days, in that they spent a lot of time recording music. So these unreleased tracks are the best of what was available, and this is an impressive album. I think I'm finally understanding why my Brother in Law constantly raves about CAN and FAUST. The guy is a drummer in a band right now, and he's a multi-intrumentalist, and has recorded lots of his music, along with him and his buddies jamming, like CAN and FAUST.

My first go round with "The Last LP" was in 2019, but I had already back in 2012 spent a week with "71 Minutes Of Faust", so I was familiar with a lot of the music on this record already. The opener "Party 2" might be my favourite as it is melodic and clocks in as the second longest song at over 7 minutes. Lots of experimental and crazy music on this release. Some humour like on "Party 6" bringing Zappa to mind. "Party 7" and "Party 8" are the most avant sounding, although "Party 5" is a tough listen. "Psalter" is melodic with guitar, clapping, vocals, drums and more. "Party 1" is the longest piece at close to 10 minutes, and it opens side two of the album. We get light sounds over this growly atmosphere, then electronics lead late.

If your at all into FAUST you really need to get "71 Minutes Of Faust" which actually might be my overall favourite recording by them, and it includes almost all of "The Last LP". Four experimental stars for this one.