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What is it with German releases at the moment? There’s something going on, for sure. With labels like Morr, Staubgold, Karaoke Kalk and Monika really coming up trumps of late, maybe it’s time to be celebrating a new wave of Kraut-Musik. I’m hoping so.
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What is it with German releases at the moment? There’s something going on, for sure. With labels like Morr, Staubgold, Karaoke Kalk and Monika really coming up trumps of late, maybe it’s time to be celebrating a new wave of Kraut-Musik. I’m hoping so.
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Klangwart – Stadtandfluss
www.staubgold.com www.konkurrent.nl
This is an astonishing LP; full of bravura, wit and some ear-shaking atonal, ambient noise. I can’t get enough of it. That it takes absolutely ages for the opening track, Zwei Tone to register with the listener only adds to its charm. And then for the following track 10 to effectively carry on the same vibe for a good five minutes before springing into some form of life is proof to this reviewer that Klangwart really mean business. Obviously they have to lay down some rules for the unwary listener… Once into their stride, the band churns out some absolutely mind-blowing atonal noise; Radio being a quiet entrée to the beautifully Hamanamah, which floats like a Gas Bag, until Telemann comes along and bursts it with an overwhelming and somehow melodic racket. The good times continue with Strom, an early Kraftwerk-style explosion of raw metallic energy and Mein Herz, mein Haus, a whispered lament which brings proceedings fittingly to a close.
What is it with German releases at the moment? There’s something going on, for sure. With labels like Morr, Staubgold, Karaoke Kalk and Monika really coming up trumps of late, maybe it’s time to be celebrating a new wave of Kraut-Musik. I’m hoping so.
Words: Richard Foster