KRAFTWERK'S MAN MACHINE AESTHETIC IS STILL IN EVIDENCE
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Circuit training
As some of German electronica's pioneers prepare to hit Scotland, alongside new shining talents of the genre, Neil Cooper profiles the upcoming Teutonic talent
‘ angerine Dream.‘ Kral'twerk's Rail. llutter I said to Lester Bangs in a 1975 interview.
‘although they are (ierman they have an linglish name. so they create onstage an Anglo- American identity. which we completely deny. We cannot deny we are from (iermany. because the (ierman mentality. which is more advanced. will always be part ol' our behaviour.’
Kral'twerk‘s man-machine aesthetic was still very much in evidence when they played (iiasgovv in 2004. Bill what of their contemporaries Tangerine Dream. playing one ol only two L'K dates at the lidinburgh Iiye (‘oncert next week'.’ While never as cool as Kral'twerk. throughout the 70s 'l‘angerine Dream were the populist prog l‘an's favourites. with .lohn Peel naming their 1973 album. Alum. his best of that year.
Led by lidgar l’roese. Tangerine Dream's mix ol’
portentously opaque album titles. marathon tracks. state-oli-art instrumentation and sci-li graphics ensured them a place in the hearts ol' serious young men. Where other (ierman artists such as (‘an. .\'eu! and the recently reactivated Harmonia acquired underground cult status. Tangerine Dream became more immediately associated with Vangelis and Jean—Michel .larre. 'l‘hirty-odd years and over a hundred albums later. Tangerine Dream still l'ocus on the epic. which. stripped of electronica. may sound rather ordinary.
Tangerine Dream‘s appearance heralds a welter ol’
contemporary (ierman electronicists over the next few weeks. ploughing a more low—key l‘urrow to liroesc and co. Take Pole. aka Stefan Betkc. who plays a rare Iidinburgh date the day alter Tangerine Dream. Having
del'ined his sound accidentally via a Waldorl‘wl-Pole l‘ilter. he used static to create a discreet late night electronic duh. which he‘s recently expanded to feature vocals and other musicians.
To Rococo Rot‘s analogue-derived melodic pop instrumentals are equally thoughtful. and their mini album. ABC/23’. praised the llelvetica type-lace. Live. the tunes on their three dates should be given more computerised bite.
Barbara Morgenstern‘s return to Stirling. meanwhile. should oITCI‘ even poppier fare. Iler one-gal band approach pairs her impassive voice with a very portable kit. Plus. Betke has produced records by Morgenstern. who has worked with members of' To Rococo Rot. Both acts joined The Pastels onstage at the Stirling-base Le Weekend festival a levy years back.
As l'or Tangerine Dream. they look set to be around Tor a long while yet. Perhaps Lester Bangs' 1977 live review should explain what to expect at the Iidinburgh liye Concert. Prior to watching the ‘technological monoliths‘ accompanied by a laser show. Bangs suggested to a 'l‘angerine Dream-head they were little more than ‘a poor man‘s l’ripp and Iino.‘ ‘Well.’ came the reply. ‘you gotta have imagination. . .’
Tangerine Dream, The Picture House, Edinburgh, Sun 2 Nov. Pole, Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, Mon 3 Nov. To Rococo Rot, The Tunnels, Aberdeen, Wed 5 Nov; Captain’s Rest, Glasgow, Thu 6 Nov; Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline (with Emma Pollock and Adem), Fri 7 Nov, Barbara Morgenstern, Tolbooth, Stirling, Thu 20 Nov.
:2: Todd Rundgren Eccentric prog pioneer brings his futuristic rock to Edinburgh’s newest live venue. See interview at www.list.co.uk. The Picture House, Edinburgh, Fri 7 Nov. (Rock & Pop)
:2: Hank Williams - a Celebration Glaswegian choir The Parsonage join those paying tribute to country music’s god- father. Dig deep — proceeds go to charity. GUU Debating Chamber, Glasgow, Sat 7 Nov. (Rock <3 Pop)
:24 Leonard Cohen Now in his eighth decade. the downbeat Canadian crooner has lost none of his presence and style. Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Wed 5 Nov 8. Thu 6 Nov. (Bock & Pop) :1: Sigur Ros Here's hoping the intoxicating Icelanders made wise investments in local financial markets. so they can keep making blissful post-rock. Carling Academy, Glasgow, Thu 6 Nov. (Bock & Pop)
ii: Fleet Foxes More glorious eccentricity, in happy clappy, gospel folk rock style. See preview. page 63. ABC, Glasgow, 8 Nov. (Rock 8 Pop) :27: Shellac A Glasgow debut for Steve Albini’s rock colossus. who confuse. infuriate and delight in equal measure. See preview, page 62. ABC, Glasgow, Sun 2 Nov (Bock & Pop)
:3: Cycles: Mr McFall’s Chamber with Thomas Stronen Music meets bikes? It makes sense in McFall‘s world. Think chamber group meets jazz sextet. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh, Wed 72 Nov. (Jazz) :i: GZA We’ve had a run of Wu Tang members gracing us with their blustering presence this year with Method Man and RZA earlier this year and Ghostface Killah next issue. Content yourself now with scholarly raps from GZA's liquid sword. ABC, Glasgow, Wed 72 Nov.
(Rock & Pop)
180 (To! 11% Nov Ptltiéi THE LIST 61