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Michael Rother — Chronicles 1
(Purple Pyramid CLP 0184-2, 1982/1998, CD)

by Mike Ezzo, Published 1998-07-01

Chronicles 1 Cover art

Now here we have a CD in response to whose appearance I feel obliged to bellow out an exasperated, "It's about time!" Guitarist Rother is probably well-known enough by now as the instigator, along with Klaus Dinger, of the seminal Kraftwerk offshoot Neu! many a moon ago. What is not so recognized (and it's perplexing as hell as to why) is that he has a handful of solo releases that, at least in the initial four outings, contain some achingly articulate music. Finally, those less-than-rich among us who have waited with the patience of martyrs to get a fix of non-surface-noise-bespoiled Rother, and have difficulty finding, let alone affording, the $30-plus CD's from SPV, can find cause for temporary rejoicing. Krautrock experts will and do scorn (or spurn) Rother for his lack of "innovation" in post-Neu! history. I for one say they are blinkered. Seemingly damned if he does, damned if he doesn't, Michael has found himself in that precarious situation whereby those who are expecting Neu! revivals are disappointed, while others who are scared off by his association with the noisy duo, completely overlook what could be favored recordings. Much closer to what he did in Harmonia, his solo work is another galaxy away from the bluster of Neu! however. Tuneful, discomfitingly easy to imbibe, it emphasizes clarity of melodic line, starkness of mood, simplicity in texture, and motoric rhythms. The basis of Michael's songs turns on the axis that is his guitar playing, working its magic solely in service of the music, at the utter expense of technique or showiness. It is easy to see where Eno's Another Green World (which materialized precisely on the heels of his encounter with Harmonia) takes after what Rother did. And while the latter's fifth and sixth releases went the commercial path, there is more than enough material on this first compilation (of two?) from Flammende Herzen through Fernwärme to whet an appetite for what will hopefully follow: affordable full releases Stateside of all Rother's past work. Likewise a new (and less pop) project from him certainly wouldn't go amiss. Let's hope this will be the start of a groundswell of interest in his work. Hey it happened to Cluster, so why not Rother!?

Filed under: Archives, Issue 15, 1998 releases, 1982 recordings

Related artist(s): Michael Rother

 

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