Michael Rother "Chronicles I" Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra CLP 0184-2 1998 (70:14)
Sonnenrad (6:04)
Katzenmusik 2 (4:07)
Katzenmusik 9 (4:21)
Tiefenscharfe (13:38)
Weserwellen (4:55)
Flammende Herzen (7:03)
Silberstreif (4:41)
Fernwarme (3:19)
Sudseewellen dance remix (5:08)
Pulsar (6:04)
Reiselust (5:52)
Gitarrero (5:05)
Overall impression: good. Michael Rother, a former member of Kraftwerk, is probably best known for his work with the pioneering 70's "Krautrock" band, Neu! After 3 albums with the influential Neu! and 3 with Harmonia, Rother went solo in 1976 and has proceeded to release 8 solo albums to date. "Chronicles I" is comprised of tracks from Rother's first 7 solo albums and 3 tracks (Weserwellen, Sudseewellen, Gitarrero") that were recorded in 1993 and 1994. Rother's solo material follows in the Neu! tradition: mantra-like rhythm coupled with guitar and keyboard. The music has much more of a "new age" sound than Neu!, most of the songs are guitar based but a few are more akin to Kraftwerk (Tiefenscharfe, Sudseewellan) and all are instrumental with very clean production. Although I prefer the darker, more avantgarde sound of Neu!, this is still pleasant, relaxing and beautiful music. Despite this cd being a Cleopatra product, it sounds and looks great, the cd insert is well done too. If Rother's '98 track on the Cleopatra "A Homage to Neu!" compilation is a foreshadowing of things to come, then Rother's next solo album may be his best yet ...
Pefect
Sound Forever interview with Rother
Rough
Guide to Rock Rother file
Exclaim!
Michael Rother and the best of German rock feature