cat op 25 (quote)

cardboard adolescent · 02-04-2009, 02:21 PM

Faust - Faust IV
1974

What does this song mean? It is titled “Krautrock.” The term in itself seems slightly offensive. Is it being appropriated willingly or derisively? The track is a chaotic mess, but underneath the layers of tape manipulation and distorted guitar is our familiar Krautrock backbeat and unwavering bass line. It sounds like fifteen Neu! albums being played at once and getting attacked by screwdrivers. As long as that steady kick rhythm keeps pounding we can find our way through the vortex.

“The Sad Skinhead” always puts a smile on my face.

“Jennifer” is beautiful. Of course it can't end, it slips away...

“Just a Second (Starts Like That)” is like running down a spiral staircase to escape an oppressive soundscape only to find it growing more bizarre the further you run down.

“Giggy Smile” is strange as hell. Naked Germans? Naked Lunch? Not so sure what it's all about but it's definitely something unnatural and erotic and German. It starts strong and then sort of drifts away from itself only to find a new even better unity (around 4:30). The song becomes a pleasant melody with delirium and insanity bleeding around the edges. As long as the melody clings to that backbeat it'll be safe.

The next song is introduced by an exchange between two Faust members, one says the tape is running, the other asks whether it is running or whether it will soon be running, to which the other replies running! Then they begin to play. This exchange also becomes the title of the piece. Why is this exchange meaningful in the context of the piece, when it could have just as easily been left out? The song is very beautiful, the lyrics come in soft-spoken French... “je n'ai plus peur de perdre mon temps/je n'ai plus peur de perdre mes dents.” It seems to have something to do with surrendering yourself to time and morality. “Lauft... Heisst Das es Lauft Oder es Kommt Bald... Lauft.”

“It's a Bit of Pain” is one of the most perfect songs I've ever heard.

John Cage defined experimental music as having an unclear outcome, that is, when you sit down to record you're not sure what you've recorded is going to sound like. This record adopts that strategy and takes it a step further by both crafting a collage of such moments and by meticulously guiding them to their proper place in the structure. A lot of Faust's music borders on the free-form and structureless, but on this album they find the perfect balance, the middle way.

Terrible Lizard · 02-04-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardboard adolescent

Faust - Faust IV
1974

What does this song mean? It is titled “Krautrock.” The term in itself seems slightly offensive. Is it being appropriated willingly or derisively? The track is a chaotic mess, but underneath the layers of tape manipulation and distorted guitar is our familiar Krautrock backbeat and unwavering bass line. It sounds like fifteen Neu! albums being played at once and getting attacked by screwdrivers. As long as that steady kick rhythm keeps pounding we can find our way through the vortex.

“The Sad Skinhead” always puts a smile on my face.

“Jennifer” is beautiful. Of course it can't end, it slips away...

“Just a Second (Starts Like That)” is like running down a spiral staircase to escape an oppressive soundscape only to find it growing more bizarre the further you run down.

“Giggy Smile” is strange as hell. Naked Germans? Naked Lunch? Not so sure what it's all about but it's definitely something unnatural and erotic and German. It starts strong and then sort of drifts away from itself only to find a new even better unity (around 4:30). The song becomes a pleasant melody with delirium and insanity bleeding around the edges. As long as the melody clings to that backbeat it'll be safe.

The next song is introduced by an exchange between two Faust members, one says the tape is running, the other asks whether it is running or whether it will soon be running, to which the other replies running! Then they begin to play. This exchange also becomes the title of the piece. Why is this exchange meaningful in the context of the piece, when it could have just as easily been left out? The song is very beautiful, the lyrics come in soft-spoken French... “je n'ai plus peur de perdre mon temps/je n'ai plus peur de perdre mes dents.” It seems to have something to do with surrendering yourself to time and morality. “Lauft... Heisst Das es Lauft Oder es Kommt Bald... Lauft.”

“It's a Bit of Pain” is one of the most perfect songs I've ever heard.

John Cage defined experimental music as having an unclear outcome, that is, when you sit down to record you're not sure what you've recorded is going to sound like. This record adopts that strategy and takes it a step further by both crafting a collage of such moments and by meticulously guiding them to their proper place in the structure. A lot of Faust's music borders on the free-form and structureless, but on this album they find the perfect balance, the middle way.

About ****ing time.

Piss Me Off · 02-05-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardboard adolescent

John Cage defined experimental music as having an unclear outcome, that is, when you sit down to record you're not sure what you've recorded is going to sound like. This record adopts that strategy and takes it a step further by both crafting a collage of such moments and by meticulously guiding them to their proper place in the structure. A lot of Faust's music borders on the free-form and structureless, but on this album they find the perfect balance, the middle way.

I wish i could write like you. I'm loving this album right now, Jennifer is perfection.

Schizotypic · 02-25-2009, 12:09 PM

The first listen to Nuetral Milk Hotel back on playlist.com I didn't like them so much, but after reading this review and listening to all of On Avery Island with headphone and no lights, early morning. Well, thanks for writting it.

debaserr · 04-01-2009, 02:13 PM

what happened to this thread. unless 25 already happened?

Schizotypic · 04-01-2009, 04:59 PM

I think I've seen these reviews floating around somewhere else on MusicBanter, or maybe I've just been here before. Thanks Cardboard Adolescent for all of the music and some great concept-based reviews. A while ago you turned me onto both Neutral Milk Hotel, and Slint. I'm forever in debt just for that. Ornette Coleman will be a great chance for me to jump into Jazz. I've heard good things about DeerHunter, Violent Femmes, and Talking Heads as well, and these reviews just reinforced my desire to explore them. And, man, Avro Part sounds so interesting! Again, thanks a million for all the effort. I very much enjoyed reading these reviews and am happy to have so much sound to look forward to. I don't know what I'd do without MusicBanter.

cardboard adolescent · 04-01-2009, 05:31 PM

i lost most of my music and i don't like the rest of the albums on the list as intensely as i used to and don't really feel like i can write about them. this project is on hold indefinitely.

Terrible Lizard · 04-01-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardboard adolescent

i lost most of my music and i don't like the rest of the albums on the list as intensely as i used to and don't really feel like i can write about them. this project is on hold indefinitely.

How did you lose your tunes man?

Schizotypic · 04-01-2009, 06:24 PM

Well, I guess we grow in and out of music, still, I wonder what the heck happened. You seemed so dead set on how great all the albums were.

cardboard adolescent · 04-01-2009, 06:39 PM

it was all a lie! the end, no refunds.

02-04-2009, 02:21 PM	#111 (permalink)
cardboard adolescent ;) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CA Posts: 3,503	13 Faust - Faust IV 1974 What does this song mean? It is titled “Krautrock.” The term in itself seems slightly offensive. Is it being appropriated willingly or derisively? The track is a chaotic mess, but underneath the layers of tape manipulation and distorted guitar is our familiar Krautrock backbeat and unwavering bass line. It sounds like fifteen Neu! albums being played at once and getting attacked by screwdrivers. As long as that steady kick rhythm keeps pounding we can find our way through the vortex. “The Sad Skinhead” always puts a smile on my face. “Jennifer” is beautiful. Of course it can't end, it slips away... “Just a Second (Starts Like That)” is like running down a spiral staircase to escape an oppressive soundscape only to find it growing more bizarre the further you run down. “Giggy Smile” is strange as hell. Naked Germans? Naked Lunch? Not so sure what it's all about but it's definitely something unnatural and erotic and German. It starts strong and then sort of drifts away from itself only to find a new even better unity (around 4:30). The song becomes a pleasant melody with delirium and insanity bleeding around the edges. As long as the melody clings to that backbeat it'll be safe. The next song is introduced by an exchange between two Faust members, one says the tape is running, the other asks whether it is running or whether it will soon be running, to which the other replies running! Then they begin to play. This exchange also becomes the title of the piece. Why is this exchange meaningful in the context of the piece, when it could have just as easily been left out? The song is very beautiful, the lyrics come in soft-spoken French... “je n'ai plus peur de perdre mon temps/je n'ai plus peur de perdre mes dents.” It seems to have something to do with surrendering yourself to time and morality. “Lauft... Heisst Das es Lauft Oder es Kommt Bald... Lauft.” “It's a Bit of Pain” is one of the most perfect songs I've ever heard. John Cage defined experimental music as having an unclear outcome, that is, when you sit down to record you're not sure what you've recorded is going to sound like. This record adopts that strategy and takes it a step further by both crafting a collage of such moments and by meticulously guiding them to their proper place in the structure. A lot of Faust's music borders on the free-form and structureless, but on this album they find the perfect balance, the middle way.

02-25-2009, 12:09 PM	#114 (permalink)
Schizotypic Souls of Sound Sailors Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mojave Posts: 759	The first listen to Nuetral Milk Hotel back on playlist.com I didn't like them so much, but after reading this review and listening to all of On Avery Island with headphone and no lights, early morning. Well, thanks for writting it. Last edited by Schizotypic; 02-25-2009 at 12:43 PM.

04-01-2009, 02:13 PM	#115 (permalink)
debaserr eat the masters Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5,470	what happened to this thread. unless 25 already happened? __________________ Last.FM

04-01-2009, 04:59 PM	#116 (permalink)
Schizotypic Souls of Sound Sailors Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mojave Posts: 759	I think I've seen these reviews floating around somewhere else on MusicBanter, or maybe I've just been here before. Thanks Cardboard Adolescent for all of the music and some great concept-based reviews. A while ago you turned me onto both Neutral Milk Hotel, and Slint. I'm forever in debt just for that. Ornette Coleman will be a great chance for me to jump into Jazz. I've heard good things about DeerHunter, Violent Femmes, and Talking Heads as well, and these reviews just reinforced my desire to explore them. And, man, Avro Part sounds so interesting! Again, thanks a million for all the effort. I very much enjoyed reading these reviews and am happy to have so much sound to look forward to. I don't know what I'd do without MusicBanter.

04-01-2009, 05:31 PM	#117 (permalink)
cardboard adolescent ;) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CA Posts: 3,503	i lost most of my music and i don't like the rest of the albums on the list as intensely as i used to and don't really feel like i can write about them. this project is on hold indefinitely.

04-01-2009, 06:24 PM	#119 (permalink)
Schizotypic Souls of Sound Sailors Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mojave Posts: 759	Well, I guess we grow in and out of music, still, I wonder what the heck happened. You seemed so dead set on how great all the albums were.

04-01-2009, 06:39 PM	#120 (permalink)
cardboard adolescent ;) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CA Posts: 3,503	it was all a lie! the end, no refunds.