C'EST COM... COM... COMPLIQUÉ

Disconnected marked Faust's disconnect (pun fully intended) from the more industrial side of the coin with their sound. Thus, albums moving forward would showcase a new kind of Faust that played a bit more to their olden krautrock roots, but still dabbled in interesting experiments nonetheless.

Their 2009 release of C'est com...com...compliqué is, in my opinion, one of their best releases since Faust Wakes Nosferatu. While they have released a lot of pretty great records since then, they never quite reached to that same top that Nosferatu gave, and while this still doesn't quite give me that same particular high, it does get pretty close.

For starters, I really enjoy the more classic krautrock style on here. While Faust is known for moving forward, I think the more neutral stylings here suit it quite well, a possible revitalization, to show a younger generation a good step into the world that Faust had built within their 30+ year existence. You get some of the longer jams such as Kundalini Tremolos and the title track, as well as some of the band's more groovy (and personal favorite) tracks like Accroché à tes lèvres and En veux-tu des effets, en voilà. This album has a good mix of great songs that show off what Faust can truly do, even without the more standard of them trying a lot of new things.

Still, even though they are moving backwards in direction, they still continue on, as this album has a neat, more post-rock adjacent mood. I wouldn't say it is of the same vein as Mogwai or This Will Destroy You when it comes to post rock music, but I can certainly hear fascinations of Tortoise and Slint here and there, which Faust incorporates quite amazingly on here, giving the whole experience a bit more of a modern feeling.

Also this record includes some beats and moments that were originally recorded for Disconnected, like Lass Mich. To be honest, the album is much better without the introduction of Nurse With Wound. It feels a lot more fulfilling to be honest, and while I may prefer the longer version of Lass Mich off of Disconnected, this original version of the song does create a nice, comfy atmosphere that I feel was needed after a couple great jams.

The only real downside of this album is Stimmen, the fourth track. It kind of wouldn't be a Faust album without a track that is pretty bad, and while it doesn't at all ruin this amazing record, it does grind my gears a bit with how annoying it is. Do yourself a favor and skip this song, as the album is honestly much healthier without it.

The moving away from industrial music, while sad, was a healthy step in the right direction for our German friends, and quite frankly C'est com...com...compliqué proves it tenfold by still introducing a fun, more modern incarnation of the krautrock sound that blends the classical sides of Faust IV and The Faust Tapes, with new generational twists and turns. Highly recommend checking this one out. Hell I'd say listen to it for the cover alone. I like the kitties :3

Best tracks: Accroché à tes lèvres, En veux-tu des effets, en voilà, C'est com...com...compliqué

Worst tracks: Stimmen