NEU! '75

NEU! 75. This is a landmark album. It has been profoundly influential on a number of groups including Sonic Youth, Ultravox, and Tortoise. In short, this album is devided into two halfs, the first half, "Isi," "Seeland," and "Leb' Whol" are more experimental, minimilist in nature whereas the other half of the album is more punk oriented in nature.

This record separates itself form other influential albums of the time in that NEU!75 influenced two burgeoning genres of music as opposed to one. For instance, the first half of the album provided the blueprint for Ultravox, Tortoise, Mogwai, and Sonic Youth's musical careers. At the same time, the other half of the record demonstrated the growing punk movemnt. The syncopated drumming present on "Hero" and "E-Musick" would be heavily utilized by Joy Division, The Sound, and Bauhaus.

As for the music itself, I prefer the first half of the album for a number of reasons. "Isi" my favorite song on the album features a syncopated fast paced drumming and a soft piano groove that flutters throughout the entire song, Its a splendid song, it sounds twenty years ahead of its time, and rightly so. "Seeland" another ambient track as well. Reminds me a lot of "New Dawn Fades" by Joy Division. "Leb Wohl" is Mogwai's Come on Die Young album played eight different ways.

The punk side is equally intriguing, however, it has been discussed at length in other reviews.

Overall, the sounds apparent on this album are influential as they are appealing. If you are interested in krautrock, start with this record or CAN's Future Days. Also, if you want to show your post-rock buddies where Mogwai and Sigur Ros got their sound, buy this album.