The Judge
RAVES!
Date: 09/04/11
Neu! - "Isi" (1975)
Getting somewhat out of sequence here both in terms of the date and of the fact that I don't actually have a copy of this in my collection as yet, but what the hell.
Neu! comprised drummer and percussionist Klaus Dinger and multi-instrumentalist Michael Rother, who formed the band after they had departed from an early line-up of the legendary Kraftwerk.
In their initial period of activity (1971-75), they released three LPs. NEU! (1972) exhibited the same avant-garde tendencies of their previous band (at that time Kraftwerk hadn't gone all-electronic), tied in with Dinger's characteristic motorik drumming driving along such tracks as the classic Hallogallo.
The following year's NEU! 2 was a curious album. Having used a large proportion of their advance for recording it on buying new instruments, Dinger and Rother were left with only enough studio time to record half an album. The other half consisted of subjecting two tracks which had been previously released as a single to a variety of technical treatments which amounted to one of the early 'remix' projects.
The third album, NEU! 75 (guess which year it was released in, kids!) showed up the essential split in approach between the two members of the band. Side One featured Rother's ambient compositions (although now driven more by keyboards than by guitars); the second side featured Dinger switching to guitar and vocals, bringing in his brother Thomas along with Hans Lampe to play the drums (simultaneously). The result is a more aggressive and rocky sound, the track Hero even being regarded as a precursor of punk.
Isi is from the ambient side - indeed, it's the lead-off track from the whole LP.
(Tip of the wig to all at 45cat for inspiration and leading me to stuff I otherwise might never have heard).
