Sterntaler

Michael Rother first appeared on the UK music scene ,in the ealy 70's as a duo, with Klaus Dinger, and recorded three albums under the name NEU! NEU! was essentially percussion, and glissando guitar driven "Krautrock". This style of music was popular during the early to mid 70's , mainly with the underground rock scene. Michael, then recorded two other albums with three other muscicians, as Harmonia. The transition from NEU! to Harmonia was noticable, in that Harmonia was more melodic,whilst still retaining some of the hard percussion of NEU! Michael then progressed onto a solo career, making "Sterntaler". "Sterntaler" is a totally , guitar driven instrumental album. The top layer guitar is melodic, and has some hard edge to it in parts. However, what is really interesting, is the 2nd layer down of guitar harmonies. This layer is very fluid, and almost sings. Here, there a flanger effects, and chorus,and it really is very enjoyable to listen intently to this 2nd layer. The bass and drum section, keep the rythm tightly paced. If this album needed any style classification, I would class it as Ambient Rock. Michael, also recorded another three albums solo, which are in a simillar vein . "Flammende Herzen", being the closest to "Sterntaler" This album, will appeal to those who are into melodic rock, AOR,and like good guitar playing. If you like Steve Hillage / Hawkwind / Pink Floyd / Joe Satriani, etc, then this is for you. Also check out the music of La Dusseldorf ( Michael's NEU!, partner, Klaus Dinger's bands ). NOTE : If anyone reads this in the very near future ( today is 22nd Sept 2000 ), you may be interested to know that Michael Rother is making an extremeny rare UK live appearence on 14th October, at The 3rd Millenium Concert, in London. see 3rd millenium@beeb.net

Michael Rother follows up his first solo release with this,another near-perfect collection of romantic,introspectively emotional guitar-driven instrumental Krautrock blissed-out tracks.It's true that Michael really took the "genre" of Krautrock to the next level with his first four solo releases - it just doesnt get much better than this,in my opinion.These Water re-releases sound fantastic too,so what are you waiting for??

I have loved this album unconditionally since eharing it first in abt. 1980. sweetly textured instrumentals create a relflective, even melancholy mood, kind of like walking alone along some North Sea beach in October might create. Rother's playing is soulful, the sound is almost preternaturally crystal clear (as anything recorded at Conny Plank's studio was -- check the first Devo album or Clannad's Crann Ull) and the mood is unbroken through all six tracks. Want another reference point? Call Rother at this stage in his career the Krautrock Duane Eddy.

then this record certainly should be part of your collection as it represents electronic rock with Michael's signature electric guitar sound creating 'worlds' you might want to explore a little bit more and deeper. Start with 'Blauer Regen' (Blue Rain) and you immediately get into it.

This one has its moments. It's not up there with his early work, but what could be? (Not exactly the world's finest review, I know, but I've not had the chance to give it a lot of ear time just yet - who knows, maybe on further listening, all kinds of as yet undiscovered 'magick' will burst into my brain.)

loved it....thank you

１９７８年発表作です。この年こればかり聞いていた時期がある。不思議なサウンドだと当時思った。なんというかそれまであんまりドイツ系のプログレを聞いていなかった（今もほとんど聞かないから、結果としてこのMichael Rotherだけ聞いたことになる）ので、ジャーマン・プログレの傾向とかという観点からは評価できない。そういうこととはまったく関係なしに素直に実に心地よいサウンドであります。余韻が続きまくるギターの音が早くもなくさりとて遅くもなくずっと続いている。仕事に疲れたとき聞くと癒されます。人生に疲れたときにもいいと思う。