Search - Various Artists :: Kraut Rock

'The World Of Krautrock' - Various Artists (ZYX Music)

Mike Reed | USA | 12/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're a fan that hasn't heard all that much krautrock,then this 2-CD in a ultra-slim line double jewel case is for you.I don't believe I've ever seen this sort of CD case.A total of sixteen tracks covers both better known krautrock bands such as Popul Vuh,Guru Guru and Birth Control as well as some lesser known bands like Walpurgis(love their track "Queen Of Saba"),the folkish Wallenstein and Holderlin.Guru Guru has three(3)killer cuts here,"Electric Junk","Der LSD-March" and their own version of "Bo Diddley".Check out the Birth Control tune "The Work Is Done" and tell me the vocals don't sound similar to classic Guess Who.Go figure.Would make a nice gift for the eccentric music fan.Enjoy.I know you will."

from the BLACK MUSHROOM FOREST ...

t'amant | WA | 01/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Birthday gifts to yourself are often the most enjoyable - I nailed it this year with this rich, vibrant musical sampler from the inner continent. I was in Germany for almost a year in the early 80's, but only came across a couple of these great bands back then unfortunately. There was an occasional friend there with a far-out collection I was able to sample. Once in Berlin I spent a few days filling up ten 90 minute cassettes with many of my finds there. This generally brings back good memories of roaming the German land.

Many styles are represented on the four hour-long cds in volumes 1 & 2 (both in cool reversible, dual-hinged slimline cd cases, with few track notes or info on these bands unfortunately), showering your thirst for fresh psychedelic fields to lay about in. FRAGRANT & COLORFUL, I think I will move in, set seed and stay awhile ... who ever said Germans can't rock or were uninspired tunesmiths??? All manner of elements rain down in these songs: beautiful acoustic and fiery electric guitars, flutes, mellotrons, sitars, cellos. Atmospheric warbly organ sounds and/or organic early synths blend with Bad-a** drums, along with tablas, bongos and other medium in various places. Art rock and space music are prevalent often reminding me of the more psychedelic sections of The Moody Blues, Yes, Pink Floyd, Nektar or early Deep Purple, etc (many songs are very long, proggy and/or jammy pieces).

Sheltering under these solid conical caps is everything I was expecting in this parallel (German) stoner-rock universe. It's ALL so familiar - The gills are vibrating and some universal musical code is sporing, floating on air and clearly understood (despite a few sections of lyrics in German): Stones (Secret Request), Camel, Jefferson Airplane, QMS, Gong, The Dead, Hawkwind, Santana, The Move, Early ELO, Pretty Things, Caravan, Strawbs, Renaissance (yes, it's acid-folky in spots) and many other influences (or influenced by them - i.e, later examples like Bevis Frond or The Lucky Bishops) are present as well throughout these wide-ranging selections. Not to say these bands weren't original. Hearing a great new (for me) guitarist or musician with a unique approach is always welcome, and many spots in these songs display great chops. This era was all about exploration within the cosmic (sometimes comic) mind. Everyone needs a home, and these bands seem to know where it's at.

The cover tells you all you need to know - if mj leaves, mushrooms & peace signs decorate the package, you've probably GOT MILCH (I wish I could put an umlaut over got)! Very little here feels even remotely like filler. I'm sure they could fill volumes with high-quality German music of this sort judging by the quality on these four cds (don't forget that volume 2 is a seperate package, and just as good, the other reviewers tell more about the songs and bands - they are all fun). Here is your next vacation, get packing!

Here is the official tracklist for Volume 1 (from the cd itself):
Disk One -

1. Work Is Done - Birth Control
2. Lunetic - Wallenstein
3. Schmetterling - Bröselmaschine
4. Rat der Motten -Witthuser & Westrupp
5. Requiem Fur einen Wicht - Hölderlin
6. Queen of Saba - Walpurgis
7. Electric Junk - Guru Guru
8. Im Garten der Gemeinschaf - Popol Vuh

Disk Two -
9. Priestess - Wallenstein
10. Stop Little Lady - Birth Control
11. LSD-Marsch - Guru Guru
12. Marvellous Child - Wallenstein
13. Dracula - Bernd Witthuser
14. Bo Diddley - Guru Guru
15. Mother Universe - Wallenstein
16. Just Before the Sun Will Rise - Birth Control

Here is the tracklist for Volume 2 (from the cds):

Disc One -
1. When the Night Falls - Birth Control
2. Wir Brauchen Keine Millionäre - Floh de Cologne
3. Old Man's Song - Broselmaschine
4. Golden Antenna - Wallenstein
5. Traum - Holderlin
6. Hero's Death - Mythos
7. Disappointment - Walpurgis
8. Space Ship - Guru Guru
9. Osmose I - Annexus Quam

Disc Two -
1. Stone In - Guru Guru
2. Braintrain -Wallenstein
3. Die Schlüsselblume - Witthuser & Westrupp
4. Nossa Bova - Bröselmaschine
5. Garden of God - Birth Control
6. Saat - Emtidi
7. My Last Illusion - Walpurgis
8. Waren Wir - Holderlin
9. Die Oberen Zehntausend - Floh de Cologn
"