CLUSTER II

Cluster's second album finds them further exploring the electronic soundscapes from the debut. This is a highly valued album in the progressive electronic scene and as far as it concerns spatial exploration and sonic innovation it certainly deserves its high status.

Plas is an impressive piece. Low droning sounds suck you into the universe's darkest black hole. Layers of dissonant distorted 'who-knows-what-they-are' sounds wave in and out of focus. Heavily processed guitar strumming provides some rhythmic clue but apart from that it's an unsettling listen. No melody, no harmony, no rhythm and no emotion exist in this extraterrestrial space. I'm Süden has a sparse rhythmic pulse provide by 4 repeated guitar notes. They create interesting layers of atmosphere around it.

Für Die Katz' has a well chosen title. This one will be a very unpleasant listening for your cats. The tweeting high electronic effects and unexpected twists are guaranteed to distress the poor animals. Also Live In Der Fabrik remains very experimental and dense. There's not much here that you would normally define as 'music'.

The dissonant organ on Georgel has more appeal and electrifies the atmosphere with creepy tonalities similar to Ligeti's contributions for 2001: Space Odyssey. Nabitte ends the album with some vocal effects and a stark dark pulse. It's a very striking piece that sounds almost zeuhl and is way too short unfortunately.

When it comes to music that is so experimental and abstract as this, the extent to which you might be able to connect to it is very unpredictable. So approach with care, this is an album that is impressive for its artistic attitude, but there's no way predicting the possible enjoyment you will extract from it. Somewhere between intellectually essential and enjoyably good.