Faust is one of the most mythical groups from the German Kraut-rock scene, who released four studio albums in the seventies and then disappeared off the radar. Reappearing in the mid-90s. C'est Com...Com...Complique, their newest release indicates that Faust is not only one of the most innovative and influential German ensembles, but they are still on such a good level that younger neo-kraut performers have a good reason to envy them.
Here, their trademark mind-bending brain-searing psychedelic hypnotism and dadaistic weirdness are firmly in place. This time the band sounds particularly vital, the compositions particularly inspired and the experimentation sounds natural. The result is the best sort of avant-garde rock'n'roll, that isn't merely juxtaposition of intriguing, weird tones. But also includes a special kind of transcendence.
Take the opening piece "Kundalini Tremolos". It clearly is their best hypno-psychedelic epic track since the 1973 classic "Krautrock" from their fourth album. Therefore, Faust can still up themselves. Thus their activity for the last 15 years is not merely a nostalgia trip. Even as old and vintage performers, Faust is still a vital avant-rock act.
Dark Days/Light Years is the ninth studio album from the Welsh ensemble Super Furry Animals. The band arrived at the scene on previous decade as one of the most remarkable acts from the Welsh indie/pop scene, blending pop and rock with electronics, hinting at prog and psychedelia and creating more than a few memorable brit-pop melodies. This new album indicates that SFA is still a vital act today.
The record contains twelve tracks that last for an hour. Contrasting the previous album Hey Venus, a shorter and poppier record, this album contains longer songs as well. Some of them are almost like jams, based on riffs and grooves the band has played for the last couple of years.
Dark Days/Light Years begins with a psychedelic rock jam "Crazy Naked Girls", that itself starts with studio chatter and false starts. Almost as if hinting that this is an album that doesn't start right off. Indeed, first listen exposes the beginning of the album as somewhat uninteresting. As if the songs weren't memorable. The second song "Mt" stands out for a slide-guitar sound that sounds almost saxophone like (perhaps humorously hinting at their saxophone ban?), doubled by strings.
"Inaugural Trams" evokes contradictory feelings. On first listen it sounds like a silly throwaway novelty track with its childishly jovial mood and Nick McCarthy's (Franz Ferdinand) German declamations. Lasting for five minutes, it may seem like a joke that gets old fast. Still, it takes guts to compose something in that vein. Besides, SFA has always flirted with kitsch. "Juxtaposed With U" anyone?
And as it often appears in the case of SFA, is that the repeated listenings tend to do justice to their material. SFA is being uncompromisingly themselves, despite what may seem hip or trendy. This makes it somewhat difficult to understand their music for the average indie fan. But the more reason for the listener to dedicate oneself to the band. Thus, even the opening songs on this album open themselves after repeated listenings.
In any case, the record really gets it going from the fifth tune, the energetic blues rock jam "Inconvenience". Sixth track "Cardiff In The Sun" is the first really masterful composition here - Beach Boys meets krautrock, pop poured into the motorik groove and form, an everlasting memorable melody.
The album continues to flow smoothly - "The Very Best Of Neil Diamond" is another good example of eccentric pop, both in terms of humorous songtitle as well as the blend of soul groove and eastern guitar lines. Towards the end, a more rocking SFA emerges. English "Where Do You Wanna Go" and Welsh "Lliwiau Llachar"arre moderately fast rock songs that show that rock done SFA style is quite enjoyable. The album closer "Pric" however is a brilliant kraut-jam, if excepting the last four minutes of ambient techno that cool it all down. Despite their veteran-band status SFA still makes intriguing records.
Super Furry Animals - The Very Best of Neil Diamond
28th of April saw the second concert in Estonia by the Canadian indie-duo Handsome Furs. Husband and wife band performed at club Juuksur as part of the concert series Odessa Pop.
Warm-up act was Mirabilia by ex-Dallas Holger Loodus (with Tanel Paliale - bass, Liis Jürgens - back vocals, FX and Madis Zilmer - drums). Mirabilia played pretty chamber-like indie pop that this time had a more acoustic flavor due to the absence of electric guitar.
The chamber-likeness of Mirabilia was a contrast compared to the intensity that soon was unleashed on stage by Handsome Furs. The duo played heavy music marked by wailing guitar and sharply pulsating beats and synths. HF's music was rather physical, as one could tell by their stage presence. The band lived into the music so much that sweat was pouring in creeks.
HF's performance was powerful and uncompromising. Even perhaps too much. The duo played with the same intensity throughout, except for one tune that saw the male part ditching his guitar. Inevitably, this makes their repertoire a bit samey. Then again, it is evident that they believe in themselves and enjoy being on stage.
The contact with public was good. As immediate communicators, they often threw compliments about how fantastic the public is and what a cool place to play Juuksur is. Despite their concentration mainly on the intense rocking, Handsome Furs is one of the most exciting acts in today's indie scene. And as one could tell, the second encounter with Estonian public was mutually pleasing.
Vinonaamakasio is the second album from the Finnish psychedelic post-rockers Shogun Kunitoki, who also performed in Estonia in 2005. Shogun performs retro psychedelic instrumental music with hints of krautrock and minimalism. They mainly use vintage electric organs as well as archaic tone generators and ring modulators. There are many bands with krautrock influences in today's music scene. Then again, the band sounds interesting compared to the others. Unlike making long monotonous guitar jams or emulating the old sounds (done with more awkward technology) on the computers, Shogun stands out for the hypnotic analog organ sound that sounds a bit rough and gritty, but nonetheless human and warm. Then again one could expect more from the band in terms of composition. Still, hopefully the band manages to develop in more interesting directions.
Faust is one of the most mythical groups from the German Kraut-rock scene, who released four studio albums in the seventies and then disappeared off the radar. Reappearing in the mid-90s. C'est Com...Com...Complique, their newest release indicates that Faust is not only one of the most innovative and influential German ensembles, but they are still on such a good level that younger neo-kraut performers have a good reason to envy them.
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