*. Michael Rother .* (Remaster + Bonus)

Album: Sterntaler (1978)(Remaster 2000 + 3 Bonus)
Genre: Prog Rock (Krautrock/Ambient/Electronic)  /  Germany

"Sterntaler" is a landmark of Michael Rother's guitar playing. The various compositions try at the same time to develop catchy, melodic instrumental songs. As in the previous effort, Jacki Liebezeit (CAN) delivers a very monotone metronomic drum pulse (relatively similar to NEU! drum patterns). Rother offers very emotional, dreamy guitar lines, quite simplistic but beautifully "minimalist". The first track starts with a repetitive clean guitar sound to finally let the place to endless "monochord", neoromantic guitar solos and drum mechanic pulses. It finishes as it starts with the initial bass/ clean guitar melody. The second track is a seductive, peaceful ballad composed around the guitar. Rother delivers a very soft, calm and detached melody under the rain. " Stromlinien" is rather similar to the opening tune, repetitive, deep bass guitar lines with a metronomic pulse. The same melody is taken back with electricity for intense, "grave" guitar tones. After a small tranquil break line, we return to the initial melodic, tragic, "bombastic" state. In "Sterntaler" the scheme of composition is always the same, put the stress on melancholic, simple meditative nature guitar solos. The tune starts with a rather naïve synth line accompanied by an exotic slide guitar. Track 5 is surely the most achieved composition. It alternates a crystalline melody on the electric piano and inspired wonderful escaping guitar lines with a touch of xylophone in the background. A very pleasant listening. 
Highly recommended if you and your girlfriend want to spend a relaxed, introspective moment together. 
Review by "philippe" (Prog Archives).

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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