FAUST / SO FAR

This collection is absolutely essential for anyone interested in progressive music. Faust were some of the most daring Krautrock pioneers, and nowhere is that better displayed than on their debut, which consists of three long chunks of sound collage that will take your breath away.

Swirling feedback fuzz opens the album, followed by a sample of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, as if to say "This is what you're not going to hear." The next thirty minutes would be difficult to describe in detail, so let me just say that it's a combination of Rock, Jazz, Classical and Musique Concrete at its best.

The second album, So Far, is much tamer and not as good, in my opinion, but there is still plenty to love about it. "It's a Rainy Day Sunshine Girl" is a masterpiece of rather minimalist pop, gradually adding elements to a simple beat and melody until the dramatic saxophone climax. There are also so inspired jams and a whirlwind of stylistic shifts, that will keep you on your toes the entire time. If you're going to buy only one Krautrock CD, this should probably be it.