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Einsturzende NeubautenKalte Sterne/Tabula Rasa Mute/EMI Released on the heels of the recent 'Perpetuum Mobile,' Mute have decided to reissue some of the earlier works of German noise pioneers Einsturzende Neubauten. 'Kalte Sterne (early recordings)' gathers up many of the early 45s from 1980 to 1982. The result is mostly clamorous, harsh and discordant, filled with hisses, howls and stomps. Frontman Blixa Bargeld was yet to find his true voice and relies mostly on his ability to screech and scream, unlike later works where he has harnessed this power to work in tune with a melody. Actually, there is very little in the way of melody on much of this mostly percussive and bass driven work. I was interested to hear Thirsty Animal featuring guests Lydia Lunch and Australian guitar legend Rowland S Howard but was sorely disappointed: the result sounds more like a distorted Pere Ubu b-side (which, as interesting as it may seem, is not a good thing). It is likely that hardcore fans will enjoy this collection but, personally, I have always preferred the more structured tunes of Neubauten's later work, such as the 1992 album 'Tabula Rasa.' Thankfully, Mute have also decided to reissue this milestone album and were also kind enough to back it with the additional tracks from 'Malediction' and 'Interim.' The packaging remains the familiar cardboard digipak style but the booklets have been reprinted as a single book, which looks magnificent. While much of the discord remains within the music, it is controlled just enough to serve its purpose without sounding too much like a bunch of retarded monkeys in a room full of garbage cans. Die Interimsliebenden is the closest EN come to sounding 'pop', while my favourite Zebulon follows closely behind. All three vocal versions of Blume (composed from harmonic notes and a gas compressor) make an appearance, the French version, the English and the Japanese, sung by Diana Orloff, Anita Lane and Etsuko Sakamaki-Haas respectively. Blixa's voice is also a highlight of the album, from his understated backing in Blume to the unnerving Headcleaner (which is separated into two songs on this CD). The second disc contains, among others, the English edit of Die Interimsliebenden (titled, aptly, The Interimlovers) and the acapella wonder that is Salamandrina (for the purposes of this review, hand claps and foot stomping are part of acapella). 'Tabula Rasa' was my introduction to EN way back when and serves as a good entry point for any interested parties, while 'Kalte Sterne' will be a welcome addition to a fan's already hefty collection.  |
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