Reviews (page 6 of 8)
happy to hear this fuzzy leftfield shit, but it was pretty underwhelming after awhile
kunni vel við þetta. þarf aðra. 3,5.
I don’t know what to make of this
Weird.
Weird album for me. Definitely some tracks here that I found enjoyable like The Sad Skinhead or the apparently mislabeled Run, but other that will probably always keep me from returning to the album like the 11 minute event less opener. Just an album that never felt like it got into a groove for me. It would hit me with an enjoyable track or stretch of time but then just lose my attention. I guess I enjoyed it overall but I’ll probably forget I ever listened to it.
Truly never heard of this and interested to hear what they sound like. First track in, definitely not what I was expecting. Very cool so far though. Very interesting really not sure what to think, their genres are all over the place. First sounds like euro-electronic music, then 60's rock band, then pink floyd.
I cannot help but think with some of these songs that this is what King Gizzard modelled a bit of their work on.
I really enjoyed this. WIll definitely explore Faust more.
I'm not sure how 5 songs/28 minutes seemed like such an eternity but what a slog this was. Maybe its over my head but it sounds like an insane mishmash of distortion and voices.
Fine weird German music. The last song started great and then it just added a ton of shitty distortion. You can definitely skip this one
sorry, I can't, while maybe interesting somehow it triggers the same aversion free jazz does to me.
I sort of expected polka rock or something when I heard krautrock, but no this was actually pretty cool and I don’t mean to say that as a slight to polka rock.
Bit boring but not obnoxious
It starts kind of boring and ends kind of annoying... but in between I actually kind of enjoyed it.
An endurance test of nonsense, interspersed with some really lovely songwriting. Why don't they just, I don't know, not start with ten minutes of the same noise, and get onto the songs that have meaning and tunes?
? Not sure why this is even here
"Krautrock" begins here. Not because this is first German "Rock" band or anything like that. No, the first song on this album is called "Krautrock"; Julian Cope named his legendary mixtape/CD/vinyl of German Psychedelic-Progressive music, and, the intrinsic critical boner in those days was to coin a genre, even if it was specious and utter bullshit (see Grunge; see New Wave), and so, the term stuck. 1971 was kinda the rebranding year for psychedelic music into Progressive Rock. In the mid 60s, progressive rock was the tag on the emerging album artists, or people who were considered very far out. The Velvet Underground. The Mothers. The Fugs. Jefferson Starplane. Jerry Bear and his Merry Bearsters. The West Coast got re-branded as Acid Rock. The East Coast as Art Rock. Sometimes, correctly, all were considered "psychedelic", which is phenomenologically true if it's ever been personally, pharmakologically true, as is everything in compass between (Stooges, Funkadelic, MC5, 13th Floors, *gasp* Alice Cooper Group--I dare you. Remember: I like to be disturbed). Over yonder, a similar process occurred. Basically, it was Barrett Pink Floyd and Soft Machine pushing the far out, the former proceeding to space, and the latter, strange pastoral vibrations. These, of course, are not absolute statements. From this, Hawkwind went full sci-fi; Yes and ELP went orchestral. The latter would keep the "Progressive" label--showy virtuosity, songs with movements, lyrics about whatever the fuck they were going on about. Hawkwind became "Space Rock". Pink Floyd transcended to cinematic. And naturally, between, disturbance in the form of the Deviants, the Pink Faeries, and various incarnations of what would become heavy metal. Unto to itself in this constructed psychedelic duopoly, the freakiest shit in England was not space but not pastroral, virtuosic but not showy, all angular damage: King Crimson. Weird ramalama, poetic lyrics, feedback and ray-gun sound effects, good on and off drugs, existing as a giant "fuck you" to rampantly enforced nice. Crimson were not nice. We freaks thank you And, in Germany, they took these basic English tools and set about crafting the shit crazier than Crimson. What happens when the pharmakon creeps into a counter-culture that previously did not exist because actual NAZIS ran your country, and any historical Counter-Culture touchstones had been gassed out of existence? You have to start making shit up, that's what. And the German bands looked west, grabbed the good stuff, and decided, well, to be German. Can Tago Mago, which I endorsed as truly Freaky shit is one example, grabbing the VU and electric Miles Davis to create music funky enough to move to, if you don't need to be hand held into Dead Patchouli Spun Torpor. These psychedelic freaks are both like Can and definitely not like Can: The Beatles are in the entree on "Just a Second" and "Giggy Smile". Paul Walrus "Ob bla Di" echoes through the "Sad Skinhead" if Paul had been more serious about drugs and reggae, and if the lyric was about meatheaded bootboys. Donovan vibrations animate "Jennifer" if Donovan was more serious about drugs and into the VU. Bowie and Eno learned a lot here. The titular opus, birthing a genre title, "Krautrock" is trip--imagine a Barrett Floyd/VU mutant, pulsating to proto-motorik, attempting to move like machine,but still sentient minimal: Interstellar Cyborg Sister Ray. Simply Saucer would achieve little success but my undying loyalty, doing some serious Stooges damage on this idea a few years later on planet Canada. This and "Lauft" are the most Can like,weird, art projects but still more tuneful, less primeval. Epic shit. Full stop. If this critical exposition is still murky, I probably lost you at the Dead snark. If that wasn't the problem, I would suggest looking at the admirers: Bowie. Eno. Hawkwind. PiL. Bauhaus. John Cale. Julian Cope, who compiled the sampler, obviously. Killing Joke. All Industrial artists. EDM has some of this DNA. If you want noodly virtuosity, a la ELP, go elsewhere. Brass tacks: If you consider pre- Ambient Eno psychedelic, this is for you.
Really tried to enjoy where I could, but its just not for me.
Very interesting. Pretty repetitive in a Philip Glass sort of way. I guess this would be psychodelia? Not terrible interested to listen to again.
What is wrong with people? This is seriously good stuff- I can listen to this all day. It's very prog-like, repetitive, rocky too in places and hypnotic. These Germans are the synth-kings.....
So this is krautrock. More like craprock. The first “song “was so annoying I almost shut it off. I thought “Giggy Smile”was going to redeem them but no. This is great if you want a headache
This would have hit me a lot harder if I’d heard it when I was in my 20s. Or if I’d heard it before I’d heard countless bands who had been influenced by it? It’s good, and I’m glad it did so much for other people, but I guess I’m just old now.
Favorite Track: The Sad Skinhead
Holy hell this wasn't what I was expecting. Kind of pleasantly surprised. It's not all my thing but the melody's and unique musical refrains kept me interested. Kind of a nice replacement to lofi if you're looking to get some work done with background music.
I went straight from King Gizzard's The Silver Cord into this album. Although released 50 years apart, one really provided context for the other, and gave me a greater appreciation for the electronic noise that kicked off this album than I may have had otherwise. The remainder of the album certainly gave me indie vibes at times, with the almost lo-fi jamminess seeming far more modern than its true age. There were parts of this that weren't fully my style, other parts that ranged from intriguing to thrilling, and others yet that were downright lovely. I respect the risks taken and completely see how this must have inspired the artists I listen to to this day.
Ambient German psych rock. Enjoyed the album. First song was like 15 minutes long without lyrics. Gotta be in it for the long haul. Some cool instrumentation throughout, but the main selling point is the vibe. Standouts: Krautrock, The Sad Skinhead, Jennifer, and Lauft…Heisst Das Ed Lauft Oder Es Kommt Bald..Lauft.
Pretty good, but way too long
Faust?? Ah, German ambiance industrial music. This is gonna be a tough one. I feel like I’ve been listening to “Krautrock” for 15 years. I think I like “The Sad Skinhead” maybe.
I see it’s influence on other albums
I enjoyed this a lot. Not to keen on the singing or the wacky skinhead song but I liked the noise.
A nice surprise this one…. Will definitely revisit….
Outstanding soundtrack for today's run through dappled woodland trails
Not necessarily an easy listen. But too good to give it a 3.
The album goes back and forth between instrumentals similar to something like Kraftwerk, and songs that have a bit of an experimental "let's just try stuff feel." I give them credit for trying different things, even if it doesn't work. For example, "It's A Bit Of A Pain" has an intrusive guitar bit that just sounds like... you know when you're having a discussion and there's one guy who has a REAL abrasive voice that cuts through it all? Or if you're in a comedy club, and there's the one guy who laughs so loudly it cuts through the comedian? THAT'S how it sounds. It takes your focus off the rest of the song. I mean, was THAT the point? A song you can only listen to once, you know? I was expecting the rest of the album to song like the first song, which would have been fine. The fact that it didn't was fine too, but having a song like "Giggy Smile" which just seems... goofy. It just didn't fit for me. I get that there are thing here that are the foundation of Krautrock, but some of these songs are head-scratchers for me. Not something I would come back to.
Not the worst thing I've ever heard, but not really my style. Experimental yes but not to the point of being annoying. Synth and electronica sounds like it is meant to be there, which I think is the real art behind a band like Faust in a genre like this. Take what is or could be weird and make it sound normal (usually). I really enjoyed the opener Krautrock. The rest kind of got lost on me or felt like it ran together as the album droned on (literally). Ready to move on.
Faust's Krautkrock goes from okaish electronica to droning noises, distortions and cricket chirps. Unsettling enough to wanting to quit the album half way.
Faust 12 minute drone? Yes please! I’m fairly familiar with this, following on from getting into Kraftwerk, Neu! and Can. I do think it’s great, kind of occupying the ground between Neu! And Can. The mislabelled tracks can get a but confusing. Krautrock is great, long but interesting, great when the drums come in. The Sad Skinhead sounds very ahead of its time, almost post punk/new wave, whilst also simultaneously being very much of its time. Jennifer is a great, the pulsing bass is superb and it’s a great slow burn leading to the noise outro. Just a Second is great, very ‘krautrock’ with it’s motorik rhythms and guitar, before moving into a slightly creepy 2nd half. Picnic on a Frozen River, Deuxieme Tableau has a lot of elements I love, but I’m not so keen on the vocal hook, I much prefer the instrumental passages. Great bass and guitar in the second half though. Läuft...Heisst Das Es Läuft Oder Es Kommt Bald...Läuft, I love the acoustic guitar and handclaps, but, like most of their other songs you expect it to turn into a kind of experimental noise jam, but it doesn’t, it plays out very sweetly. Run, very Radiohead. I know Faust were an influence from Kid A onwards, and they obviously have Faust Arp on in Rainbows. It’s a Bit of a Pain is a very lovely way to finish, almost Bryter Later style guitar, before the noises come in and out, and before it reaches its denoument. I do like this album a lot. It’s a bit patchy in places but I am a bit of a sucker for this type of stuff, it’s obviously very UK and US rock’n’roll influenced, but put through a teutonic hippy lens, which makes it really interesting and very enjoyable. Loads of ideas, lots of atmosphere, bit rough around the edges, it’s my perfect idea of a 4 👺👺👺👺 Playlist submission: Krautrock
This album is a love note to ADHD. Krautrock starts off being repetitive almost to the point of distraction... But then isn't. As a hyperactive child, I can imagine that this album would captivate me. From here on out, the album dances through genres and themes without a care, grappling the next distraction before it has even gotten halfway through the previous. If it does circle back (I'd have to listen again to check!) then it does so with a cursory nod, before darting off somewhere else again. I really enjoyed it as a far from hyperactive fortysomething.
Boring German language rock. Idk man its just not for me.
Interesting variety
😁😁😁 Weird one this, nothing really outstanding musically so far, (only 2 and a bit tracks in) but it has put a smile on my face. The sad skinhead is just great, and picnic on a frozen river, deurxieme tableau has definite Gong vibes from the Gnomes in the flying teapot era. To sum it up, this is why I'm doing this, to discover bands like this. But I am left wondering why I have never heard of them before. Will definitely be on the lookout for them on music stalls. Every strong 4, so close to a 5 but not quite there.
Dreadfully weird and repetitive.
A very interesting album, not heard much by them over the years. I liked the first track 'Krautrock' with it's incessant beat and great guitar noises, but then it all became a bit oompah oompah in places. Did I enjoy it? In places. Will I listen to it again? Probably not.
Surprisely good album. Very different from anything else one the list. I am sure some people didn’t like it but what a pleasant surprise
Incredible, so many good tracks and the instrumental weirdness is awesome
It's actually decent. I expected it to be constant droning noise. The songs range from good to quite bad. "Kautrock" is the best track. I'm surprised by this curiosity. 3 stars for "Faust IV".
A solid and cool record 7/10
Krautrock bedeutet vieles in der Musik: Experimente, Neues entdecken, Sprache testen, Musikstile ausprobieren. Man kann immer sicher sein, dass es nicht 0815 oder Mainstream ist. Faust 4 gehört zu dem reiferen Ergebnis von Faust (das Nachfolgewerk gefällt mir noch mal besser) und bietet sehr abwechslungsreiche, aber auch melodische Songs.
I went into this one not expecting to enjoy it, however it was such a vibe! Need to check out the deluxe edition now as I just did the regular. Kept pulling me back in with a surprising beat or switch up mid song and kept my attention start to finish.
Kinda weird, kinda good. Not sure.
German. Much distortion. A song called Jennifer. Too many weird noises.
I’ve never heard of Faust before, so I have no idea of what to expect from this album. I studied German for three years in high school, and two years in college, but I know embarrassingly little about German pop culture, especially music. I read a little bit about Krautrock before jumping into this album, and I think there’s a good chance I’ll enjoy it. My inclinations were correct, and I really enjoyed this album. It certainly fit the bill of experimental, and it’s an interesting bridge between the psychedelic music of the sixties and the more electronically heavy music of the eighties. I really enjoyed the fuzzy and distorted guitars, and there were some great synthesizer, keyboard, and organ arrangements that filled in the experimental sound nicely. I’m always leery of longer songs, because I often find them really repetitive, but Faust’s longer songs were always changing and evolving the sound throughout their runtime, and I found myself rapt with attention for what would come next. I really appreciated that the band used a lot of subtle things here and there in the music, like little beeps, or wavering synthesizer notes. This album was great, and I appreciate how unique and different it was. I’m excited to review some of the other Krautrock albums that are on this list.
Thought this was Feist and it confused the shit out of me.
Experimenteller Keautrock. The Sad Skinhead ist ganz nett, aber der Rest. Nun ja.
Enjoyed this - can see it having been really inspirational for a lot of bands like joy division. So far ahead of it’s time too 4/5
ive heard krautrock songs in albums not associated with krautrock, but never listened to an album primarily about krautrock. i came into this expecting what i heard before, which now that i think about probably werent mainly krautrock songs, it sure was different. based on release date, this was released in the middle of the krautrock peak but idk cause im not an expert. it was a pretty jarring listen in its entirety. the opener was good, but i didnt think of it as a song with relistenability, but an experience; was nice but hard to listen outside of album perspective. the shorter tracks didnt have enough time to develop and i felt like it overall lacked something. i accept that pure krautrock isnt really my thing, but i appreciate the genre. 3 personal favs: krautrock, jennifer
WTF. Muuta ei pysty sanomaan....
Täysin joutava.
3-4
you know what respect. yeah, you open with an 11 minute minimalist drone track!
One of the quintessential Krautrock albums, and not a bad introduction to the genre for the uninitiated. It sits somewhere between the structured arrangements of someone like Cluster and the more jam oriented Amon Düül. Rightfully a classic.
Almost listenable, the album sounds like a bizarre collection of noises that could be used in the background of movie scenes, then all of a sudden some sort of horrific noise will play directly into your eardrums and your snapped out of the experience. Is it a listening experience?, yes. Is it one i would recommend for curiosity's sake? yes. Is it good?. No.
alright but a bit repetitive drags on a bit 2.6/5
this is so legit for 1973
Krautrock 1.5 The Sad Skinhead 2 Jennifer 1.8 Just a Second 3.1 Giggy Smile / Picnic on a Frozen River, Deuxieme Tableau 3 Läuft...Heißt Das Es Läuft Oder Es Kommt Bald...Läuft 2.3 Run 2.3 It's a Bit of a Pain 1.8 Score: 2.225
Lovely surprise! Didnt think I was gonna enjoy this at all. Way ahead of its time! Couldnt believe it was from 1973! Parts were a bit all over the shop for me but will definitely listen again. 3.4
4.5 stars. I was hesitant when I saw it was a German band from the 70s, but it was actually really really good. Very ambient and psychedelic with industrial elements. It's good for zoning out, but still held my attention. "Krautrock" and "Giggy Smile" were maybe most notable, but all the songs flow into each other well.
German Jam Background noise barely any singing and when there is the audio for the vocals is way too low. 3/10
It is impressive that this album came out in 1973 it sounds great and is very interesting, but the overall music just isn't that compelling. I thought the opening track set a good tone for the album and had some interesting ideas. I also thought Jennifer was a nice little song with a cool noise section near the end. The next 2 songs have some cool funky parts but also some bad / annoying parts. Lauft... almost feels like it would belong on The King Of Limbs, but it never really goes anywhere. Overall, some cool ideas and impressive for the time, but as a whole a little boring.
Brilliant
Different and not obnoxious, but not something I particularly enjoyed. Not going to go look for more Faust, or purchase a CD copy
Another fantastic kraut rock album by Faust and it even has the song Krautrock on it. The first songs are more drone rhythm founded and the second half of the album consists of more traditional rock songs.
Too much prog not enough music
I'm very familiar with their first album becuase it's one of the most insane and weird albums i've ever heard, and an easy 10/10 for me. Clearly I've been sleeping on this one though, despite hearing it a couple times in the past. The huge opening track is amazing, sucks you in with it's repetition. Then the rest follows suit, some wild stuff going on.
Fun and interesting, but a bit repetitive. More of a 3.5, but going to 3.
I'm starting to think this list and I have different definitions of the term "Must Hear".
3.5
Reasonable background noise whilst I was working. Interesting.
Interesting ways of composition with tape splicing and sound experimentation, but I didn't find it appealing musically. 2/5.
God awful. What is this crap
Nr. 176/1001 Krautrock 2/5 (3x) The Sad Skinhead 3/5 Jennifer 2/5 (2x) Just A Second 2/5 Picnic on a Frozen River 2/5 Giggy Smile 3/5 Lauft... 2/5 It's A Bit of a Pain 2/5 Average: 2,18 Not as abrasive as I thought it would be. Still not really my thing.
Omg it's krautrock. I somehow like it (but it's too loud)
Das gefällt mir! 4.5 🌟
read this at first as Feist and was like “oh i didn’t know she had an album with this name!”
Ambient tech rock Oddly charming noise music Whimsical clanging
not my cup of tea
This was fine while I was listening to it, but I can’t say that any of the songs really stuck with me. Wouldn’t mind listening again in the future though.
Decent album. I listened to Faust - I before and I liked this more than that. 3/5
This album nearly caused a car accident when the extended hazy-dreamy end of "Jennifer" was broken by an unexpectedly loud cymbal crash, before going into some old-timey piano. Along those lines, nothing from this album was expected, so I guess that's pretty good for a fifty-year-old work. I probably won't be playing this ever again, but it was a hell of a ride today.
I have to say that there were many a moment where I thought “why?” But, the album also had some intrigue.
Very compelling. I'm almost overwhelmed. A+
This is a very strange listen… but I was fascinated. I enjoyed the wild ride. Bravo!
It's lowkey a vibe. Favorite track: Giggy Smile
Absolutely fascinating sound. Weird and experimental but never too far from listenable, these guys understand music at a very fundamental level. Really cool.
Nope
I wouldn’t blame anyone for hearing the name krautrock and immediately passing it off as something silly. Because it’s a silly name, and definitely warrants that reaction. I’ve only brought the genre up once in a conversation with someone before, and they laughed at the name. But all things considered, I have very little experience with it. Dots and Loops by Stereolab is one of my favorite albums ever, but that is less based in krautrock and more inspired by its central ideas. Really, Faust IV is the most defining album of the genre. And its titular opening track is sort of what pushed the genre to have its namesake. Just by putting that song on, it is made clear that this album is weird. I could see the experimental mixture of hypnotic rock music and avant garde electronics being off putting to most. If I had heard this maybe 6 months ago I might not have liked it very much. But I can’t help how creative that weirdness sounds, and how revolutionary this feels. This is experimental in all of the ways that experimental music is meant to be. And for a record released in the early 70s, this was pushing boundaries on a whole other level. This feels like the 20th century equivalent to Velocity : Design : Comfort by Sweet Trip. Two albums that could come out today, and still be praised for how futuristic and unique they are. This is one of those one of a kind records that makes me want to hear every other piece of krautrock ever made, just in case something manages to blow me away as much as this did. There were many moments of sheer joy, where all I could was smile and just laugh at how ridiculously good this is. This is valuable not only as an album, but as a listening experience for people who aren’t well versed in this kind of sound. Rating: 9/10
I love the phrase "krautrock", because it calls to mind the delicious image of a bunch of beefy Bavarian bros with gorgeous hair and mustaches jamming at a backyard BBQ where the beer and wurst are abundant and the tunes are rad as hell. The awkward nerdy reality a krautrock isn't half as sexy as my fantasy. But I suppose I can make do with it.
rough - SPROCKETS
"Faust IV" by Faust is a seminal work in the realm of experimental rock music. Released in 1973, it represents a culmination of the band's avant-garde tendencies and showcases their ability to blend diverse musical elements into a cohesive sonic landscape. Here's an in-depth review of the album, focusing on its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with a discussion of its pros and cons. ### Music: "Faust IV" is a sonic journey that defies traditional genre categorization. The album seamlessly integrates elements of krautrock, psychedelic rock, avant-garde, and electronic music. From the hypnotic rhythms of tracks like "Krautrock" to the cacophonous experimentation of "Giggy Smile," Faust demonstrates an unparalleled mastery of sound manipulation. The use of unconventional instruments and studio effects adds depth and texture to the music, creating an immersive listening experience. ### Production: The production on "Faust IV" is ahead of its time, showcasing an innovative approach to recording and mixing. Producer Kurt Graupner, along with the band members, experimented with tape manipulation, overdubbing, and other studio techniques to create a dense, multi-layered sound. The result is an album that sounds both raw and polished, with each instrument and sound effect carefully balanced to create a cohesive whole. ### Lyrics: While lyrics take a backseat to the music on "Faust IV," they nevertheless contribute to the album's overall atmosphere and themes. The sparse, cryptic lyrics often explore themes of existentialism, alienation, and the absurdity of modern life. Tracks like "It's a Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl" and "Jennifer" feature enigmatic verses that invite multiple interpretations, adding to the album's mystique. ### Themes: "Faust IV" explores themes of identity, alienation, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The album's eclectic sonic palette mirrors the fragmented nature of contemporary society, with its disjointed rhythms and dissonant melodies reflecting the disorientation of modern life. Tracks like "Just a Second (Starts Like That!)" and "Picnic on a Frozen River" evoke a sense of unease and uncertainty, capturing the zeitgeist of the early 1970s. ### Influence: "Faust IV" has had a profound influence on subsequent generations of musicians, serving as a blueprint for experimental rock and electronic music. Bands like Sonic Youth, Radiohead, and Stereolab have cited Faust as a major influence, adopting their unconventional approach to songwriting and production. The album's willingness to push the boundaries of musical experimentation continues to inspire artists across genres to this day. ### Pros: 1. **Innovative Sound**: "Faust IV" pushes the boundaries of what is possible in rock music, incorporating a diverse range of sounds and influences. 2. **Experimental Spirit**: The album's fearless experimentation and boundary-pushing approach set it apart from its contemporaries. 3. **Timeless Quality**: Despite being released in 1973, "Faust IV" sounds as fresh and relevant today as it did upon its release, a testament to its enduring appeal. ### Cons: 1. **Accessibility**: The avant-garde nature of "Faust IV" may be off-putting to some listeners, especially those accustomed to more conventional rock music. 2. **Lack of Cohesion**: While the album's eclecticism is part of its charm, it can also make for a somewhat disjointed listening experience at times. 3. **Minimalist Lyrics**: Some listeners may find the sparse, cryptic lyrics of "Faust IV" to be lacking in substance compared to more narrative-driven songwriting styles. In conclusion, "Faust IV" stands as a groundbreaking work of experimental rock music that continues to captivate and inspire listeners over four decades after its release. With its innovative sound, fearless experimentation, and enduring influence, it remains a testament to the power of musical creativity and artistic vision.
Different!!
Easy to get lost in and I like dat
Kraut did not rock for me
I feel like I could’ve died without hearing this album
Initial reaction of frustration for yet another Krautrock band we would have never heard of and will never hear again made me want to give 1 ⭐️. However, I decided to give it a fair shake and must admit that some of the instrumentals are good. I guess chalk it up to ignorant American lenses, but I don’t think this qualifies as one of 1001 albums to hear before you die, at least in a list targeted at Americans.
Zappaesk.
Ow my ears
I kinda of dug it. The songs all felt happy to go in whatever direction they want, without feeling forced or out of place. Ever the dips into noise generally worked.
It's okay, one good song though🔥🔥
Faust IV" by Faust is a groundbreaking album that pushes the boundaries of experimental rock. Released in 1973, the album is a mesmerizing journey through avant-garde soundscapes and innovative musical ideas. The album's opening track, "Krautrock," sets the tone with its hypnotic rhythms and unconventional instrumentation. Throughout the album, Faust explores a wide range of sonic textures, blending elements of rock, electronic music, and musique concrète to create a truly unique listening experience. One of the highlights of the album is the epic track "Jennifer," which features haunting vocals and a mesmerizing guitar riff. The album also includes the experimental masterpiece "Giggy Smile," a sprawling and dynamic track that showcases Faust's creative vision. Overall, "Faust IV" is a bold and adventurous album that pushes the boundaries of rock music. Its innovative approach and avant-garde sensibilities make it a landmark of experimental rock, earning it a solid 4 out of 5 rating.
I tried to like this but couldn't really find it that interesting. Just when it would start to go there, it went a different direction. Some songs would remind me of Godspeed You! Black Emperor but not complete. Now I know
Some interesting bits, but I caught myself checking several times how much longer until it's over.
I can appreciate Krautrock themes, but this was boring and kind of painful.
I was not expecting "Krautrock" to sound like this but it makes sense. Kind of a prog rock meets, electronic music, meets avante garde/art school mixed. I would have pegged this as a genre of the 80's so to see it's from 73 is wild.
Dieses Album ist gut. Sie sollten sich dieses Album anhören. Wenn Sie sich dieses Album anhören, werden Sie ein Übermensch sein.
Great album! Never listened to this genre, but this was surprisingly good.
This is just another example of something that everybody wants to be really good but it's just okay
Nothing enjoyable about this at all. I think this album generator is trolling me.
Mix of industrial (mostly), hypnotic repetitive, with a few moments of lyricism and melody and a random piano song thrown in.
Each song is a different mood. Experimental without being too out there.
This krautrock has potential - I really wanted to rate a "IV" but there's just a bit too much screechy progressive experimentation at times, which takes away from the talented krautwork.
Very first album on this list where I was really pleasantly surprised. Apparently I didn’t know what krautrock was. Glad I do now. I immediately thought of Miles Davis and In a Silent Way, and on further research saw that Miles was a big influencer of these German artists. I also found myself thinking of King Gizzard. Great album. I’ll put this one on in the background again and again.
Never heard of this band and was pleasantly surprised. This is the stuff that keeps me interested and listening — on this journey of 1001 albums.
Is this krautrock? Do I like krautrock?
I've never really understood what "Krautrock" is, and to be honest I'm not smarter after listening to this album. Is it just slower rock with some psychadelic and electronic elements...? Anyways, it was a good album! I think this fits me quite well. Not all songs had the same quality level to them, but there were a few gems like 'Picnic On A Frozen River, Deauxieme Tableux', 'Jennifer', 'Just A Second (Starts Like That)'. I found it really hard to decide whether this was a 4 or 3. But in the end I think there are a bit too many tracks that doesn't really do anything or enough, like 'Lauft...', or even the first song 'Krautrock', for it to a 4. Strong 3 it is!
I dunno, this just wasn't for me. Didn't like the blend of electronica and slow rock. Whenever I felt a song was going in the right direction some synthesizer noise kind of ruined it for me. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it but found it boring and sometimes annoying.
This is what I live for, or, this is the realm of musical sounds that brought me to a higher realm of living life. I love krautrock! I began as a prog rock kid, and then after listening to Kraftwerk, and later Can, I just dove head first into as much krautrock as I could access. This is better listening to me than punk, or new wave. No question, this earns 5+ stars from me.
This is a really fuckin weird one. Early krautrock/ambient electronica. The first song (Krautrock) is 11 minutes long and nothing really happens in it at all. It's like psychadelic rock passed through spacey electronica filters. Same vein as Kraftwerk, but much, much shittier, and less upbeat. Closer to those Einsturzende Neubauten lads. Favourite songs: Krautrock Least favourite songs: The Sad Skinhead, Just a Second (Starts Like That!), "Picnic on a Frozen River, Deuxieme Tableux" 2/5
I really hated the first track. The second had a Gypsy vibe I could tolerate. Third- “Yellow jokes come out of your mind.” Nonsense. Song 4 made me feel itchy, so I gave up. I can imagine life in Germany (east or west) in the 70’s was complicated and that’s certainly reflected here. Not my cuppa. 2.3
Maybe it's because I just listened to Eno, but I get some proto-ambient sounds in places. Other than a few attempts at conventional songs, it seems mostly noise/experimental to me. I only know Kraftwerk for krautrock, so this expands the genre for me. Not into places I cared for. 2.6
Alter, ich dachte ja, ich wüsste was Krautrock ist. Schon erstaunlich was für abseitige Scheiben hier ans Licht getragen werden. Langsam werde ich zum Musik-Nerd. Ich hoffe hier tauchen dann auch mal französische Punk-Alben auf. Oder sowjetischer Metal.
The playing itself is not bad, but I found nothing compelling on this albim and it is far too long.
This was kinda fun! Krautrock indeed!
Really need to be in the right mind set for this and I was not and rarely would be.
i was prepared for "terrible", so pleasantly surprised to hear "pretty OK".
My first Krautrock experience and boy was that odd. Enjoyed the more ethereal, synth-driven tracks but everything else was a miss. Favorite track: Lauft...Heisst...
WTF is Krautrock? And why in the world would anyone say that you have to listen to this album before you die? 1/5
Interesting listen but not really much to draw me in here.
The first track is a tad hard to get through, giving me the same feeling an avant-garde jazz album may give to one not interested in jazz in the first place (hey, that's also me!) but after that beast of a track the album mellows out a bit and actually has some pretty nice stuff in it. I'll admit that this album being from 1973 earns it the sense of being far ahead of its time, but it doesn't feel like it does enough to really stand out, other than a surface level striking layer to get you feeling euphoric, only for it to mellow rather quickly and then just be a decent, albeit playful and inoffensive, time. There's some stuff here to enjoy, and parts of the longer tracks are nice too, but it never feels like a proper package, and the long tracks never seem to stick the landing, save for Jennifer, which I quite enjoy and see why it would be the "big" track from this release. Its a decent time, and I can see why many quite like this, but also why one would just find this boring.
Sauerkraut(rock)
They sound like they would be good live. Too bad they’re dead
Faust IV is a tug of war between avant-garde "brilliance" (I guess) and taxing indulgence. Tracks like "The Sad Skinhead" and "Jennifer" highlight its visionary influence, but the album’s abrasiveness and chaotic experiments can test your patience. It is an uneven, challenging listen that feels like a genius sound collage one moment and a prank the next, yet it remains a uniquely futuristic curiosity.
Awful album. Couldn’t go past the first song. Second song I’ve listened for a minute and turned it off. Yikes…. Seriously how is this on the list???!!
Yawn
Too abstract. 1/5
Didn't get it on first listen as a whole but it had its moments
I can hear the influence this album has on many bands I like, but I like what those bands did more than this album.
Good! I enjoyed the instrumentals a lot.
There's something very sweet and naive at the core of this.
4/5. At times beautiful, at times head-bopping, and unfortunately, at few times boring. I did enjoy it for the most part but I think I might have been in the wrong headspace. The first track is still the highlight and I liked Jennifer as well. I think Giggly Smile lost me halfway through. Akin to electronic and disco receptiveness, using rock as the backdrop does provide a unique ambience because it takes a lot of skill to use these instruments in a way that feels robotic and yet interesting. They sure did it. It might need a 5 but right now it's a 4 based on a couple too slow or repetitive moments.
Das Krautrock. Wide variety of songs
Krautrock is such a fascinating genre and this album is one of the classics. This album is rock heavy as opposed to other more electronic based Krautrock records though there is plenty of synth based sounds here. The songs are exploratory and take time to develop which is something I really enjoy. There are moments here which almost sound like jazz-rock fusion to me (Giggy Smile), and others more purely experimental that are more noise based. I haven't listed to other albums by Faust, but apparently this is one of their most accessible.
I like some Krautrock but this is a pretty uneven record imo. Some good ideas, some cool production for the time. A little too disjointed and "jazzy" for my taste. Sounds often like some mediocre musicians just noodling around having fun in a basement.
A krautrock classic, which is apparently criticised for being a sell-out and far too commercial. It still seems slightly too weird and industrial for my tastes, so pure krautrock probably isn't my thing. Rating: 2.5/5 Playlist track: Krautrock Date listened: 18/03/24
Quirky album, but a fun listen for sure. The wide array of employed sounds including what sounds like various synth and early sampling methods make this a unique album for the time. Listening on Hifiman Edition XS, Schiit Magnius, SMSL SU-8, and Wiim streamer.
Krautrock isn’t my thing. But this is fine.
Krautrock, more like... noperock
10necessário
dont love krautrock :( not my kind of noise
This was not good. Not sure what to describe the music as but I didn't need to even experience it.
It's better than the krautrock I've listened to already, but definitely far from being okay. It wasn't irritating, and that tells you something. Definition of average.
Nice composition album. The sum was a bit better than the parts, but it kept me going and was a nice listen. 3/5
Some nice beats and rhythms in here.
New to me and interesting. Kinda all over but i dig their vibe.
The song Jennifer was ok, but a lot of the album was just too experimental/annoying/long for me to get into.
Half the tracks we too cold and electronic, and half were too loose and lo-fi. Really a Daddy Bear/Momma Bear situation with no Baby Bear in sight.
Appreciated the lo fi funkiness of this - reminded me of Pavement in parts - with each song taking different directions (often) than the last. Got a little too noisy, borderline-jam band (for me) in parts, but a shockingly enjoyable listen.
I saw Faust in a church in East London in 2015, on a recommendation from my brother in law. At first, the droney repetitiousness was getting on my nerves, but as it continued, over footage of an old ship rolling over waves, it consumed me, and I felt almost spiritual, and lost in the universe. This brought back that weird feeling, but even better, had some fun moments between the pretentious guff in the top paragraph.
I'm very unfamiliar with Krautrock, but this was a dope first go. Very atmospheric and I really enjoyed the ambient elements. Weird asf at times but that's quite charming. Fav songs: - Krautrock - Just a Second - Picnic on a Frozen River - Lauft...
An occasional lyric on top of radio sound effects on top of an electronica music bed. No thanks.
Did not connect with this one. Too drawn out and monotone. Tracks were inconsistent
Who knew the Deutschers had such a sense of humor? This is an amazing album for 1973 and 50 years later! Lots of subtle electronic effects in the background. Giggy Smile (best song) is bouncy, weird, and even includes some bad jazz. Jennifer is lame (very, very, very, very repetitive). Will check out more Faust (2.9*s)
I like prog but this is too much
To quote Joe’s review of my new favorite band The Pogues, “meh”
Liked this way better than I thought I would, given it is a krautrock group. Some lovely songs and the extended instrumentals were quite decent. Surprised we didn’t listen to anything by this group in high school. Even the Disc 2 tracks in the rerelease were enjoyable. This was released the month I started college but it (or the group) wasn’t on any of my friend group’s radar.
This was a very nice blend of straightforward rock with weirder elements that kept it interesting.
I didn't like it, but i also didn't hate it.
Krautrock is not for me. Period. This one is not so bad.
Ok for Muzac, like in an elevator.
Bold intro, but they figured it out. Must listen to Jennifer on acid. Trying to find out what made this influential, possibly all of the experimental sounds. Same year release as dark side of the moon. giggly smile good but too damn long. To enjoy this album you require a double dose of shrooms or acid Actually so bad I don’t think they understand music, but respect to them
I give you guys a lot of credit if you finished this one. I only made it a few songs
Oof this was a tough listen. I love when people, musicians, whatever do what they love but this was too experimental for me. Maybe I’m too sober to listen but this one did not land I couldn’t wait for it to end.
Real weird. I feel like this is the music that plays in movies when somebody has a bad trip. I kinda dug "the sad skinhead" but the album is 90% noise, 10% music in my opinion. It felt like there was potential in some of these songs and then they either took too many drugs or thought too much about it and ruined the idea. Salvaged a 2 but just barely.
This was not a WIN for me. Most of the tracks felt like montage music for a movie where a little animated mouse walks/motors around NYC taking in the sites. Might need some shroomies to figure out some of the songs with some weird jarring sounds in the middle. Only the piano piece was decent for me. Seems like an alternative jam band with a bunch of weirdos hanging in their mom's garage trying to figure out how to make her say "WTF" every 5 minutes.
Interesting but not enjoyable. Albums like this are like concept cars. They’re not actually meant to be driven, but merely to display ideas. What’s funny is that Faust’s fans thought they “sold out” with this album. German rock is interesting. Let’s take a culture, destroy it with two world wars, and Great Depression, 12 years of Nazi rule, then see what kind of art the kids who grew up in that bombed-out wasteland create. It’s disjointed, little melody, industrial and ambient. Kind of makes sense when you think about it. Still wouldn’t listen again, though….
Is this a sick joke
WTF- Sully
There are many albums. This is one of them.
some very questionable decisions made on this album
Here’s what I’ll say.. was it the best music I’ve listened to? No definitely not. But I had a great time listening because it was just so absurd. Sad Skinhead was my number 1, kind of reminded me of a low effort mariachi band. Also loved the aptly named “Piano Piece”, just a totally different vibe but for some reason makes sense in this album
Feels trippy and super slow most of the time. Bold first song with no lyrics and 12 minutes long. Second song lyrics were quieter than the music, bold again, but probably one of the better ones. So many experimental noises out of no where. Some Pink Floyd noise similarities just done in a way worse fashion. Beatles and Pink Floyd child that was neglected. Second to last song went wild then ended up with bagpipes making it feel like a funeral and then it finally got peaceful just to ear rape me all over again at random intervals in the final song. I am giving this a 2 because it’s obvious they can make music I think they just intentionally make it disruptive.
experimental, cool listen but probably wont check out again.
More KrautRock….not as good as Neu!, but better than than last pile of shit…nothing memorable
1.6/5 Half of this is not available on Spotify and the rest I'm not really into, so this was mostly skipped. Best Track: ???
Not my cup of tea but a worthwhile listen
An experimental album with unfortunately not enough memorable songs.
Nej tack! Jag är inte alls intresserad av techno mix och vad det nu var för ljud jag lyssnade på. Mitt stora tips är att inte lyssna på det här albumet speciellt när man har hörlurar på såg för då får man migrän, eller när man försöker sova då det låter som att man får inbrott av aliens. Min favoritlåt från albumet var Giggy Smile för det var den enda där någon faktiskt sjöng. Albumet får 1/5
It's very interesting album for '73 with samples and a brooding airy dreamy sound.
Erm, clearly krautrock isn’t for me. 2/5
...
Some of the krautest rock you will ever hear drawing from inspirations from Zappa over Floyd to modern classical. The opener is iconic, but Faust loses me on 'Läuft...' which I found downright boring.
Krautrock at its finest. It’s incredibly how easy Faust moves from droning instrumentals to more accessible song structures. A few times Faust is almost too close to abandon their kosmische rock in favor of komische rock, but luckily they ultimately don’t go that far.
Some parts are totally fucking unlistenable. Terrible album.
This is like early prog rock. Very weird and not very interesting.
Interesting prog rock
Kind of a weird blend of Neu, Brian Eno, and the more psych trips of The Byrds. Interesting driving music, but not something I'd feel compelled to revisit.
Curioso, me gustó
I wanted to like this. The band sounded interesting. If was just noise. Not even interesting noises. Some tracks sounded like good background music but did the most part it was awful
I realise I haven’t listened to a whole Adele album before and that’s a shame. Very much enjoyed this - some lovely lyrics and tunes even if not her most original works. She has a voice to die for :)
2 stars for its experimental, yet still cohesive sounds. I enjoyed the lo-fi techno sounds, especially since it was in the 70s. Overall, this is a personal listen. To quote my wife "That is SO annoying"
absolutely horrible. Hard to believe this is a top 1000 album.
The first song, “Krautrock”, AMAZING What an awesome buildup and finish. Loved it. Third track “Jennifer” has a great sound. Like what fucking instruments are they using. Wild arrangement. “Just a Second” sounds like Radiohead. Wait so does the beginning of Giggly Smile! Then it sounds like Grateful Dead meets Syd Barrett. Great couple of tracks. I knew nothing about this band or album, but this turned out to be an excellent listening experience. Loved it.
Elements that I like keep popping through, but never consistently enough to constitute true enjoyment. 2/5
is this a 3 because i like faust or a 3 because i like the idea of faust? idk but show me ur giggy smile
Great forward thinking kraut rock that is way ahead of the curve of what Bowie and eno would do later on in the decade.
pioniers van de Kraut. Kunt toch we horen waren de heren van bijvoorbeeld the O Sees en King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard een flinke pot mosterd hebben gevonden.
Bedoelde Radiohead dit met Faust Arp? Hele afwisselende plaat met redelijk toegankelijk spul en hele experimentele dingen naast elkaar. Heel prima
Never heard of these guys before. I like the production on the album
pontualmente irritante (quando parece que o Guitar Hero transou com um Sim e com o vinil do meu avô). muita coisa acontecendo, inclusive senti que tinha um filho e ele ficava batendo essa porra de chocalho!
Nada me chamou muita atenção, mas nada chegou a me incomodar. Provável que eu não escute novamente
It wasn’t unpleasant.
A second listen of this album in the right mood and headspace opened my eyes to the hypnotic soundscapes that Faust creates. On a few songs you can feel the comfort of the main riffs while the accompanying cacophony rises and falls, which I thought was an interesting and effective way to convey an abstract concept through instrumentation alone.
I don't get it
just not a fan. but i did like two songs from Disc 2 Piano Piece and Giggy Smile
This is the first album assigned by the album generator that I had zero knowledge of. I am pleasantly surprised. It is very listenable - it has the playfulness of "trippy" Beatles experiments or Zappa.
I think this must be where you go when you're bored of jazz. Not bad music per se, but too out there for me to enjoy. It was difficult to follow the structure of the songs, and many of them approached sounding more like noise.
Sounds like random noise with some German lyrics every now and then. Terrible
3- Stars (7/15)
Faust IV is an acoustic journey. Corrosive, unpleasant sounds pierce your ears and leave you wanting for more. I could not figure out what fascinated me in this album. The mystery aura from the voices, maybe? It induced me in a kind of trance. I was in the middle of a Nordic forest. An eternal sun shone over the thick, tall, old trees. Between them, the only visible landscape was a line of brown mountains. They were far away and looked artificial. Like, manmade. The sunshine bounced on them like on a pile of copper and iron. It was immense. It was hard to breathe. You could see a satyr in the middle of this forest. It was playing its harp in a state of frenzy as if there was no tomorrow. And I was there, looking at it. Hypnotized for 44 minutes...
I love that "krautrock" is even a genre and was actually impressed this album was as listenable as it was. Some of the songs are too long and a bunch of them sound the same though. I had fun listening to it nonetheless and def appreciate their bizarre material.
Very interesting album. Some early electronica and great experimentation. Heard of this band before but never gave them a listen. I really liked it. Probably would not play any song individually but as will play the album again. This is what this app is for...introduicing some new music to the listener. Whether we like it or not is of no concern. Beck and Thom Yorke def played this album til the grooves were gone in their developmental years. What happened to the Faust II & III?!
What a bizarre bit relatively enjoyable listen. A couple long drawn out songs of random instrumentals that kinda work for some reason? Not sure I'll ever recommend it but glad i was exposed to it. 2.80 stars, would kraut again
Not really my type of music
A little all over the place but when it's good, it's spectacular
Absolutely KILLER. More of these discoveries, please.
I really like this album. It's definitely a complete whole, and so far ahead of it's time.
1.5 - I thought that this was gonna be a really rough listen based on the first song, but there are more song-like songs on the album that balance it out to a 1.5 for me. They aren't exactly my cup of tea, but they have tiny moments of things I would enjoy. It's just not enough compared to the things I didn't like. I'm not really sure if I like krautrock or not? I guess I have to listen to more to really know.
Saaie bedoening bij momenten, maar soms ineens dan toch wel weer geweldig. Een dubbelaar hadden ze hier alleen nooit van hoeven maken. Tussen 2 en 3 sterretjes voor deze Duitse vuist!
How much crap can a man take!?
Nou, dit was wederom op het tandvlees hoor. Wat een gepiel in de marge. Ik ben muziekaal waarschijnlijk te dichtgenaaid om hier het briljante van in te zien.
An absolute nonsense really, there are some elements within the instrumental songs that sound cool but, given that's what you're aiming for from start to end, it doesn't deliver quality, it's just crap
First track is a proper musical assault - 11 minutes of instrumental that I'm struggling to describe, it's an overwhelming wall of sound that is really intense without being aggressive. Then a couple of songs that are much more like trippy pop songs, before it's back to the instrumentals. It's a cool, layered sound - would say I was interested in it more than I enjoyed it - but I will come back to it. A solid 3/5.
I am officially a Krautrock fan! Some of the more pop-edrue songs are a bit meh (The Sad Skinhead), but the actual Krautrock is amazing.
This album felt like two brothers fighting over the radio on a road trip. That intro song blew me away. Give or take every instrumental I was here for and songs with vocals weren't bad but weren't hitting me the same way. I'll revisit select songs.
Not sure I understand what I'm getting here, but I think I like it. And I think it works as an album. Might try to look up earlier albums if I remember.
krautrock ja hyvää soitantaa.. Ei käy niskan päälle ja se on hyvä se..
It's wild how they shift sound so dramatically from song to song. "Krautrock" establishes such an intriguing mood, which they break the spell of aggressively with "The Sad Skinhead" and it takes a few tracks before they bring that sound back. A bit of a rollercoaster that I'm not sure I'm on board with, but there were moments and individual songs that I quite enjoyed.
I'm generally obsessed with all things Krautrock, but I've always found Faust a little harder to get into than the other major groups in this most loosely defined genre. And I think that's partially by design. They were intentionally making music that was difficult to pin down or put in any sort of box. Granted, most Krautrock bands were doing the same thing to a certain extent, trying to find something beyond UK/US influenced rock imitations, finding their own sound, etc. But Faust took it one step further. They were more like a conceptual practical joke of sorts. Something akin to what The Sex Pistols became. A mythic stunt that was pulled off for as long as they could get away with it. There was a certain amount of emperor's new clothes going on, especially at first, but there was also some unbridled experimentation that was truly inspiring. Although I'm not completely sold on some of the albums that preceded this one, as they are a little too chaotic and unfiltered, even for me, this album is easily their finest, and most cohesive, achievement. And right before they imploded too - or the label execs finally got that the joke was on them, and they weren't laughing anymore, and pulled the plug. It's almost as if Faust knew they needed to get their act together or else the gravy train was gonna stop, but it was too late. They shaped up as much as they could, but they were still just a bunch of weirdos and couldn't help themselves. On this album they have much more in common with other major krautrock bands of the era by aligning more to hypnotic and repetitive grooves, and also incorporating more electronic elements. Both things that strongly attract me to the sound. Listen to this and remember that this was considered "selling out" compared to their earlier material! Ha! To me this is where they finally hit their stride, and found a healthy balance between their experimental quests and a rhythmic/melodic accessibility.
I overlooked a lot of this album when I first heard it, but I enjoy the range of it all. It's almost a tour of all the different types of Krautrock styles. Not one I'd throw on all the time, but it's definitely something that you'd throw on as an album vs. individual tracks.
Not good, not terrible. First track is decent, but the next couple of tracks were just not very good. Strangely reminiscent of NIN ambient tracks or Holy Fuck analog electronica from the mid 00's. Or even MBV in the '90s. It's not something I want or need to listen to, but I can appreciate where it's coming from.
This was aight. Some good songs. I'll call it a 3.
experimental for sure. can't say I would recommend this though , as it's very out there rock. ahead of their time, sure, but hindsight is 20-20.
People who dislike krautrock are extremely lacking in taste.
this was hard to listen to... headachy
Vraiment très intéressant, dès les premières notes on voit que ce band était vraiment en avance sur son temps (ou peut-être est-ce le mouvement kraut qui l'était en général). Certains concepts de l'albums ont un peu moins résonné avec moi, mais ça reste un album très unique et très intéressant. Définitivement à réécouter. 8/10
That's how the experimental music should sound like! Very good sound.
Enjoyed that this had a lot more space and texture that some of the psych/prog we've had on here. It didn't have the intensity to really dig its hooks in but there were some impressive compositions. Fave track: Giggy Smile
Heard a lot about this band and really thought I’d be sucked in. I guess I was a little let down. Not by a lot, I still enjoyed it, but felt it could have reached a little further in its weirdness. I like the long and repetitive stuff, but sometimes just felt like there was some fun missing. Fave track: Krautrock
Well I didn't know what to expect with this - from the first song I thought I knew where this album was heading but I didn't at all. It was such a fantastic mix of different experimental styles. I didn't know Faust but it didn't surprise me that Luke really liked them, repetition and drawn out songs. There were a few on here I particularly liked, like Jennifer. will deffo listen again
Quite liked this. I think I may have heard of the band before but can't say I know them. It was pretty interesting and individual but didn't blow me away.
Very unclear why this is on the list. First song hurt my ears with the overlapping of sounds. Didn’t get much better after. V weird and not in a good way.
Mesmerizing 11-minute drone rock opener, but the best section is Picnic on a Frozen River with its driving bass and weird, swirling melodies followed by the charming Giggy Smile. Great ambient sounds on Lauft, I could listen to a whole album of just this. 50 years old and still sounds futuristic.
Intéressant par moments
Faust's tone didn't feel like it came from 1973. It was darker, more organic. I ended up liking them much more than expected.
Loved it since I came across it in the 80s. Wildly experimental Krautrock pioneers. This is my personal favourite.
An unpleasant listen
Not too much on my wave of liking, but still very chill
I was like "the indie pop singer who had like one song? OK..." Then I started listening and realized I was thinking of "Feist". Anyway, as for the review of this album, I thought it was very weird but it kept me listening. It was better than I thought it would be, and found myself listening more than once. 3.5 stars
1.3 - A bit of a pain to listen to. Glimpses of really nice music, covered in indulgent shit
faust this up your ass
Erstaunlich gut zugänglich. Sogar mit Gesang. Lied 6 dann ein bisschen downer und lang und langsam. Mit so nem Bruch. Dann aber geiles Geknarze irgendwie. Ah, bin schon durch. Den letzten Song gar nicht so richtig mitbekommen, danach fing schon die Bonus-CD an, die mich direkt etwas genervt hat. Letzten Song noch mal gehört, schöner Abschluss
It took me two tries to get through this album. Sonically it is a wall of sound for the first chunk and my brain can't always handle that. Very 70s, pretty German.
Honestly pretty good for the time.
Weird. 2.5
Was OK.
Good Krauty fun, with the influence quite clear right out of the gate. Lots of vibe-y weirdness mixed in with a few pure and vintage psyche-y lava lamp flourishes. There is perhaps too much that plays as novelty/oddity now, though the avant-garde bits (e.g., "Krautrock" and "Giggy Smile" and "Lauft Heiss") resonate best and most. Perhaps the listening experience would be aided by some vintage '70s European narcotics (preferably hash).
nice
Just... not very good. Exceptionally boring from start to finish; high school bands could do a better job. 3/10.
Respect the complex composition and layers. It’s fun adding electronic noise on top of even conventionally more acoustic songs to make them more interesting.
Can see how it was groundbreaking way back when, but ultimately didn't do a whole lot for me. Didn't hate it, there were a few moments I liked, but that's about it honestly.
Not my jam. I’ve gone on the record many times saying I don’t like extra long songs, and generally speaking, lyrics are what sell me on a song. So… this album didn’t do much for me personally.
Josh said it was a nothing sandwich and honestly. Yeah.
It was fine. It had good and bad parts.
I can see the relevence but otherwise not a particularly stirring listening experince
I understand why this would be an important album, I just don’t really like it. It’s sounds like music that would be included in a bootleg NES game.
Faust do seem to be on the weirder side of krautrock, most of this isn't what I'd consider 'traditional' krautrock, whatever that means, being as it is one of the most interesting, experimental and diverse genres in all of music. It's an incredible mine for early electronica and simply for ideas in general just thrown out there. The fantastic, signature, driving motorik beat is mostly absent here for example. I've only listened to their debut before and that was a mix of banging stuff (as in literally banging stuff together) mixed in with the sound of objects floating in water (although I might be confusing it with a track on Neu!'s debut). Much more of an emphasis on weird noises than on this album. I read later that Faust IV is considered a more accessible set from the band, which definitely appears to be true. Does raise a little wry smile seeing the people in the reviews dismissing the entirety of krautrock on the strengths of this one album. But hey ho. They don't seem to be a band who stick with one idea. Which is incredible and I applaud it. I can mostly skip the second track, but I love the development going on in 1 and 3 and elsewhere. Most of the time now I want to listen to stuff where I have no idea what's going to happen next. I know the second CD was different versions of the same songs, but I left it on, because they were very different!
4.1/5 - weird and edgy af
Listened Before? N It was okay. Lots and lots of alt rock and electronic stuff lately is wearing on me and makes it hard to be objective here. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: The Sad Skinhead
Just not my thing. IDK
It was ok I guess. Should have smoked a Doobie beforehand, maybe then I would have given it a 4
First went pretty hard but it was really long and reparative so then i got bored of it. the rest of the album was even more trash. 2 bc it was so different and im sure theres some reason its on this list
The psychedelic vibes start to drag on but good songs on there
This was… noise. Did I need to be on drugs to enjoy this? It wasn’t good.
This is what it would sound like if the Velvets did a year of study abroad in Germany and lived in the same dorm as Kraftwerk.
Did not like this at all. Songs were too long, and not even good to boot.
Painful
4/10. In one ear, and out the other
I liked this a little better than the Kraftwerk, Can, and Tangerine Dream albums on this list. I guess Krautrock is just not my genre. 5/10
Not sure why we needed this many Faust albums on this list
Hell yes. A new challenger enters the German psych-rock arena (I'm trying to be respectful and not use the term "krautrock" if that's offensive, but damn if it isn't handy). I'm learning that I really, really like this genre. Tangerine Dream's Phaedra was awesome, Can's Tago Mago was phenomenal, this one is excellent too. As an outsider, all I'd heard of was Kraftwerk, but they're sitting at the tail end for me right now. This one's awesome, lots of great sonic journey tracks. Shocking that this is from the '70s, really would've guessed it was from the last 10 years or so. Excellent album, give me more! Favorite tracks: Krautrock (they said it!), Just a Second, Giggy Smile, Lauft, It's a Bit of a Pain. Album art: Sadly, the least interesting part of the album. It's lines, that's it. Not at all memorable. 4.5/5
1st song was awesome.