INTER*FACE

I own this album on tape from a couple of years in my collection and I did not buy the CD. The reason is that it's not an astonishing piece of art. Why is that?? Because Klaus Schulze, the magician of sound in electronic music, simply goes on rhythmic music here!!! The music is simplistic, because of the drumming section, and more or less hypnotic and atmospheric keyboard intervention. We've got four rhythmic tracks which go very well on a morning cleaning in the house. Don't get me wrong: personally, I enjoy the album, but looking to the author.... it's a bit strange. After the first track, very catchy and disco, it follows two interesting tracks, which seems to be KS music style at the final of the 80's. The 4th track, self-titled, should be the gig of the album, but after 10 minutes, it gets boring on the same repetitive drum section, which seems to be endless. The most interesting parts of the album are, for me, tracks no. 2 and 3 and the beginning of track 4. 2,5 stars!

Since the previous album from Klaus was a total mess up ("Aphrica"), there was only one possibility for the great man: to release some better music through the means of this "Inter*Face". Since it was not a daunting task, I can only be disappointed by this work as well. Of course, not in the same proportions (this is impossible, really), but since the great "Mirage", I have been quite let down to say the least.

Wonderful ambient and spacey moments are alien to most of this work (except the title track). It is much more a straight and upbeat experience. Compared with the splendid works from the seventies, it is of course very shy.

Still, I could find my way when listening to "Colours In The Darkness" which holds some very good keys passages. I would just mention that I would have loved that the partnership between Klaus and Mike Shrieve would have been prolonged. The great drummer I truly love would have brought some more depth and skills in here. Some musical input at least. The guy "in charge" here is just accompanying, at ease, with no implications at all.

This is not a great album I'm afraid. I understand that an artist can't always be on top of his creative sensibility, but it always hurt me.

"Interface" is just a decent elevator stuff for most of the album. Not bad, but not great at all either. All hopes are targeted to the title and epic track and to some extent, it holds the promises. The beauty of some earlier and great albums is finally emerging. Melodic keyboards, splendid musical landscapes, ethereal and pure sounds. It is a true trip back to ancient (though recent - are you following me?) times.

Needless to say that I quite love this! This song only, makes this album a good one to tell the truth. Klaus should have been inspired to have produced an epic album only. Forty-five minutes of this great moment would have deserved a four stars rating. But since it is only bringing some balance into the whole, I can't really go over three stars. But only thanks to this wonderful "Inter*Face" title song.

Three stars.

If anyone needed any further proof how most 70's artist had a hard time adapting to the 80's, then Schulze's Interface has ample material for that. Luckily there's still much to enjoy.

The synth pop of On The Edge is horrible. Not because synth pop is unworthy music but simply because it is done very poorly here. One of Schulze's rare cheese moments.

On Colours In The Darkness, the result is entirely different and spot on this time. If you would be curious how vintage Schulze could merge with haunting new wave atmospheres then this is the place to be. The drum programming is adequate here and the minimal sequencing blends nicely into the 80's no-nonsense attitude. Schulze adds big orchestral synth waves on top of it. Great piece, a tad too long maybe.

The Beat Planante isn't very inspired, and the dull beat doesn't do the track justice.

The title track returns to his 70's trademark sound. Spacey effects, warm sounds; the way the fans like it. But more important for me is that it is actually pretty good, not stellar, but good enough to deserve a place in a fan's Schulze cabinet. The unobtrusive percussion isn't as good as it was on X or Trancefer, but you would hardly notice it if this track had been on X. Again it turns out to be too long though.

With 2 deserving pieces that overstay their welcome, Interface is a 2.5 star album that isn't good enough to be rounded up.