CLUSTER II

It's always quite a tricky task to review an album of cosmic drones, spacey atmospheres, twittering electronics and strangely dark music, which is what Krautrock duo Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius - 'Cluster', have created here. To many ears, the compositions on this record may border on nonsensical, noisy, druggy noodling etc. but at least to my ears I hear a certain, organic ambience. The 'music' is a result of many layers of electronics, and 'natural' instruments that have often been 'processed' through various gadgets, and their use of repetitive motifs, swirling organs and distorted sounds really offers a hypnotic listening experience. 'Cluster II' features 'Plas' (6.00), 'Im Suden' (12.50), 'Fur Die Katz' (3.00) on side 1, and 'Live In Der Fabrik' (14.50), 'Georgel' (5.25) 'Nabitte' (2.40) on the 2nd side. The highlight for me is Live In Der Fabrik. As others have stated, this is similar to Zeit-period Tangerine Dream and the first few Kraftwerk records. Undeniably cutting-edge at the time of its release, Cluster II is a fine example of experimental music the way only the German Hippies can do.