Krautrock Album Database

Albums

Cluster 1971
II 1972
Zuckerzeit 1974
Sowiesoso 1976
Cluster and Eno 1977
After The Heat 1979 (Cluster and Eno)
Grosses Wasser 1979 (Cluster and Eno)
Live In Vienna 1980 (Cluster and Farnbauer)
Curiosium 1981
Apropos Cluster 1990
One Hour 1994
First Encounter Tour 1997
Japan '96 Live 1997

Cluster (Phillips 1971)

Album Legnth: 44.27

Genre: Electronic

Best Song: 15.33

Release Info: 1995 CD Reissue SKY CD 870 3055

Tracks:

1. 15:33
2. 7.38
3. 21.17

Rate This Album Online

Average Rating based on 13 votes: 3.8

Overview:

The first Cluster album is a bit lighter than the preceding Kluster albums. This album marks the turning point in their career as Schnitler's departure reduced the band to a two-piece. Conny Plank's engineering expertise was so relied on that he is credited with co-composing the tracks. The three tracks which are untitled are referenced by their running time. In general, the tracks have a dark, brooding nature about them and are loaded with grinding electronic pulses and moans. There are no lyrics, or poems as in the prior Kluster album. They are works of rhythmless free electronic sounds flowing naturally, ascending and descending. If you are familiar with the Kluster albums you will note that sound-wise, these tracks are much fresher and cleaner sounding. This album will appeal greatly to fans of early electronic and industrial music and to those who are interested in hearing early avant garde electronic recordings. For those of you who are not familiar with Cluster, I would advise starting with their later albums, perhaps Sowiesoso or Zuckerzeit and then work your way backwards. This truly is one of the most unique recordings of our time. As an extra note of interest, the album was garnered so well with reviews in 1971 that it was voted 10th best album of that year in one German magazine! [5/5 Doug]

Musicians:

Hans Joachim Roedelius - Electronics
Dieter Moebius - Electronics
Conrad Plank - Electronics Engineering

Cluster II (Brain 1972)

Album Legnth:

Genre:

Best Song:

Release Info:

Tracks:

1. Plas 6.16 2. Im Suden 12.50 3. Fur Die Katz' 3.05 4. Live In Der Fabrik 14.41 5. Georgel 5.37 6. Nabitte 2.40

Overview:

____

Album Rating: _ out of 5 [Doug]

Musicians:

Dieter Moebius -
Hans-Joachim Roedelius -

Zuckerzeit (Brain 1974)

Album Legnth:

Genre:

Best Song:

Release Info:

Tracks:

1. Hollywood 4.40
2. Caramel 3.00
3. Rote Riki 6.10
4. Rosa 4.08
5. Caramba 3.55
6. Fotschi Tong 4.15
7. James 3.18
8. Marzipan 3.15
9. Rotor 2.38
10. Heisse Lippen 2.20

Overview:

____

Album Rating: _ out of 5 [Doug]

Musicians:

Dieter Moebius - Bass
Hans-Joachim Roedelius -

Sowiesoso (Sky 1976)

Album Legnth: 37.16

Genre: Electronic

Best Song: 'In Ewigkeit'

Release Info: CD Reissue Sky/Gyroscope GYR 6624-2

Tracks:

1. Sowiesoso 7.19
2. Halwa 2.52
3. Dem Wanderer 3.52
4. Umleitung 3.29
5. Zum Wohl 6.54
6. Es War Einmal 5.26
7. In Ewigkeit 7.24

Rate This Album Online

Average Rating based on 12 votes: 3.8

Overview:

Popular consensus agrees that 'Sowiesoso' along with 'Zuckerzeit' is the measuring stick as far as ambient electronic albums are concerned and I agree with them. This album lends itself well as listening music, background music, and meditation music. The music on this album has probably stood the test of time better than Cluster's other work. To me, the instrumentation sounds fresher than 'Grosses Wasser' which was recorded three years later! The obvious stand-outs musically are 'Sowiesoso', 'Zum Wohl', 'Es War Einmal', and 'In Ewigkeit'. Each song consists of a steady keyboard progression which leaves room for what I like to call Cluster's famous 'Teutonic tinkering' (electronic effects). My favorite is 'In Ewigkeit' which translates to 'In Eternity'. This song has a quality which transcends time making it pure listening enlightenment/enjoyment which will last for, well, eternity. A must have for fans of ambient electronic music, Sowiesoso should also be a staple in any serious Krautrock fan's collection. If you are new to Cluster I would advise you to start with this album! [5/5 Doug]

Musicians:

Hans Joachim Roedelius -
Dieter Moebius -

Cluster & Eno (Sky 1977)

Album Legnth: 36.17

Genre: Ambient/Electronic

Best Song: 'Fur Luise'

Release Info: CD Reissue Sky/Gyroscope GYR 6620-2

Tracks:

1. Ho Ronomo 5.10
2. Schone Hande 3.06
3. Steinsame 4.13
4. Fur Luise 5.04
5. Mit Simaen 1.33
6. Selange 3.34
7. Die Bunge 3.48
8. One 6.20
9. Wermut 3.30

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Average Rating based on 14 votes: 3.9

Overview:

First of the two Cluster and Brian Eno collaborations, this album is a combination of the ambient ideas of Eno and the soft ambiance of Cluster's unique electronic sound. The end result tends to owe a bit more to Cluster's sound than Eno's. The album is dominated by instrumental music ranging from songs of relaxation to songs of enlightenment, with a couple of the tracks taking on a bit of 'New Age'. To me the album doesn't sit well as regular listening music. I find that it is more appropriate to play this album while pondering deep thoughts. It is hard to pick a best track due to all of them being good, but I do feel that 'Fur Luise' does stand out amongst the rest. 'Fur Luise' is an incredibly soothing track which at times borders on 'new age'. It is similar to 'In Ewigkeit' off of 'Sowiesoso' in that it has a consistent backdrop of sound over which electronic sounds are free to flow. This is a good album and I recommend it for Cluster and Eno fans alike. [4/5 Doug]

Musicians:

Dieter Moebius -
Hans Joachim Rodelius -
Brian Eno -
Holger Czukay - Bass (track 1)

After The Heat (Sky 1979)

Album Legnth: 40.55

Genre: Electronic/Ambient

Best Song: 'The Belldog'

Release Info: CD Reissue Sky/Gyroscope GYR 6621-2

Tracks:

1. Foreign Affairs 3.31
2. The Belldog 6.18
3. Base & Apex 4.33
4. Tzima N'arki 4.37
5. Luftschloss 3.14
6. Oil 4.17
7. Broken Head 5.27
8. Light Arms 1.32
9. The Shade 3.11
10. Old Land 4.16

Overview:

____

Album Rating: _ out of 5 [Doug]

Musicians:

Dieter Moebius -
Hans Joachim Rodelius -
Brian Eno -
Holger Czukay - Bass (track 4)

Grosses Wasser (Sky 1979)

Album Legnth: 36.05

Genre: Electronic

Best Song: 'Manchmal'

Release Info: CD Reissue Sky/Gyroscope Sky CD 3027

Tracks:

1. Avanti 4.47
2. Prothese 2.12
3. Isodea 4.09
4. Breitengrad 20 4.08
5. Manchmal 2.10
6. Grosses Wasser 18.39

Rate This Album Online

Average Rating based on 12 votes: 3.3

Overview:

I've always been mesmerized by the cover of this album. I don't exactly know why, maybe it is the minimalism or maybe it is the diving board which invites the listener to dive into the recordings... Grosses Wasser was engineered by Peter Baumann instead of Konrad Plank and to tell you the truth, you can hear the difference! Although the overall production sounds good, a few of the instruments sound dated! In addition, the material isn't as good as their previous albums. There are some nice sequencer/bass riffs and as always Roedelius' poetic, playful and childlike piano and keyboard work, but as a whole, the tracks don't stand up as well as their earlier work. The standout tracks are 2, 5, and 6. Track 2, 'Prothese' sounds like Cluster's answer to disco. This track contains a steady disco drum beat which is accompanied by a funky synth bass line and plenty of 'Teutonic tinkering'. 'Manchmal' is a playful track which is dominated by Roedelius' piano work. The track plays out almost like a soundtrack to a scene from a children's movie! Finally, 'Grosses Wasser' is a throwback to Cluster's earlier days when their songs flowed freely from motif to motif. [3/5 Doug]

Musicians:

Hans Joachim Roedelius -
Dieter Moebius -