Germany has always been known for its proficiency in both electronic and experimental music. Names like Karlheinz Stockhausen and Kraftwerk are historically known throughout music, but there has always been a mass of artists working just under the rest of the world's consciousness. A few years back Staubgold started to fill the rest of us in on the German underground, teaming with talent, freshness, and an uncanny ability to push boundaries. The label has always been at the forefront of electronic, but has recently been expanding its horizons to include artists that continue to blur lines between what you've heard and what you've never imagined.
Now branching into other parts of the world, Staubgold has released this 2-disc compilation to showcase what they have up their sleeve. 26 tracks of minimal, melodic bliss. Some come in the form of experimental/noise, some come as electronic/dub, some come as brave singer/songwriters. I know it seems like an odd mix, but both albums flow together remarkably well.
Let me try and set the mood for you. You know when you go to a show that runs late? The kind where you probably wanted to leave a bit earlier than you did, but you couldn't because it was some band that you loved and they were really playing well? Well, when you finally get to your car, you usually don't feel like flipping through CD's or tapes so you just flip on the local college radio station (maybe this is just me, whatever… just read). Late night college radio is the best. Mainly because, the DJ is usually trying to get some homework done so the music goes largely uninterrupted. They also tend to just play stuff that they are in the mood for, music that they can read to. Disc one of this compilation is one of those late night marathon sessions put to plastic. It's beautiful, with a graceful flow. It's incredibly easy to just lose yourself in it, letting you mind wonder or possibly focus on other things.
The second disc is more focused in its track selections. Well, as focused as noise gets anyways. Still maintaining that ominously dark air of disc one, these sounds and tones lull you into a peaceful state of suspended animation. Time seems to slow down while each song takes its time to reveal its hidden melodies. The opener from Kammerflimmer Kollektief is probably one of the strongest tracks I've ever heard them produce. And from there the disc just unravels into colorful tapestries of dense sound.
For even the casual fan of the avant-garde this is a must have. I don't usually find myself going back to comps after I've given them a few listens, but this one has been calling me back for a few weeks now. It's a lot to digest at first (and maybe that is why the re-playability is so high), but the reward is great for those who like to get lost in music that might not yet be ready for this world.
- Jake Haselman | 2004-11-21
