NEU! '75

While their debut album is normally considered as more daring and interesting, this one is a real milestone coming directly from the most forward-looking scenario of the 1970s, Krautrock. I've always liked German bands like Neu, Faust, Can, Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, Amon Düül II and others because they could set on a trip into experimentation questioning directly the core of rock music: its sound, the range of possibilities hidden inside the instrumentation they used, a real quest in search of a totally new language. It couldn't last very long, but the results and impact of Krautrock are amazing, as well as this album. Of course, Neu! 1975 is more controlled and less anarchic than Neu! 1972, yet it can put the focus on "shapes of things to come" far better. The "Mitteleuropa" dance of "Isi", with its almost classical piano on straight and rocking drums, has been harrassed by hoards of rock bands, including U2, Coldplay and other MTV sponsored mainstream rock outfits. The ambient rock of "Seeland" and "Leb' wohl" are a far more adult-oriented listen than the stuff in their 1972's album, but they are full enjoyable and still forward looking. Than, the listener is pushed into the second half of the album, dominated by Rother's anarchic and ground-breaking personality. "Hero" is pure punk rock, more daring and far better than any English band-to-come (would you ever consider the Sex Pistols or the Clash as intelligent and brave?), while "E-music" and "After eight" follow the same thread, leading the way in a wonderful brain-expanding trip and really making you want to stand up and shake. Ah, those years and those bands will never come back again...