Neu - A Celebration

Posted by: J.N. on 12 April 2007

Flippin 'eck! - I've just had a blast of 'Neu' and 'Neu 75' and reminded myself of the marvel of Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother's wonderfully innovative music.

This is uneasy listening in parts for sure. But oh the barely controlled frenzy of 'Hero' and the phased chugging train noises of 'E-Musik' have a timeless magnificence. Then there's the hypnotic splendour of 'Hallogallo'.

Dig 'em out and enjoy, boys and girls.

Michael Rother went on to make some beautifully melodic solo albums in the late 70's, and 2004's 'Remember' proves that he can still make great ambient music. Lovely stuff.

John.

Posted on: 13 April 2007 by Guido Fawkes

I have ye olde vinyl copies of NEU! and NEU! 2 by Neu! and they are indeed very fine albums - always an interesting listen. A lot of excellent music came from Germany during the 70s (I'm sure lots still does, but I've lost track of it).

Michael Rother and Klaus Dinger - excellent stuff.

I must seek out NEU! 75 as I've not heard that record for years and don't have a copy in the collection.

Posted on: 14 April 2007 by Nick Lees

All three Neu! albums are excellent, though I think 75 is the most consistent.

Dinger's subsequent band La Dusseldorf were every bit as good in a similarly motorik way and the albums La Dusseldorf and Viva are excellent, though the third one - Individuellos - is less so.

Rother went straight into a collaboration with Cluster duo Roedelius and Mobius to form Harmonia. Musik von Harmonia and Deluxe (with Mani Neumeier from Guru Guru on drums) are both classics.

I've recently heard a copy of a radio concert that Kraftwerk did in 1971 when the line-up was Dinger, Rother and Schneider (no Hutter at that point) and the sound is almost pure proto-Neu! with almost no trace of Kraftwerk-to-be. Dinger and Rother left shortly after.