Faust/Faust So Far

Faust (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 9, 2001)
• Original Release Date: October 3, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collector's Choice
• ASIN: B0000542LC
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #89,372 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Alternative Rock > Alternative Styles > Rock > Krautrock

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Julian Cope wrote, 'There is no group more mythical than Faust'. Both these albums have been very difficult to find for years. Now their first two CD's available on one CD. Their debut 'Faust' was truly a revolutionary step forward in the progress of 'rock music'. Originally released in 1971, it was pressed on clear vinyl, packaged in a clear sleeve, with a clear plastic lyric insert. The black X-ray of a fist on the cover graphically illustrates the hard core music contained in the grooves, electronics, rock tape edits, acoustic guitars, musique concrete and industrial angst. The second from 1972 moves closer to actual song structure, but still remains experimental. Standard jewel case. 2000 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mmm, sublime., December 4, 2002

By	Lord Chimp (Monkey World) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This CD is the excellent reissue that combines Faust's first two albums, their self-titled release and _So Far_. Both albums are masterful, comprising some of the finest experimental music to date. Recorded in the 70s, I'm completely blown away by how they remain so original and fascinating. It also ranks as some of the tastiest ear candy I've indulged in.

Up first is _Faust_. Combining the usual rock lineup with tape manipulation, electronics, and plenty of diverse styles, the self-titled album is three songs of godly experimental music. The 10-minute "Why Don't You Eat Carrots" begins with a harsh electronic drone before plunking in a sample from the Rolling Stones' "I Can't Get No Satisfaction". There is plenty of satisfaction to be found here, though. What follows is a montage of trance-inducing marching rhythms, odd ball lyrics, weird cosmic zone-outs, strange circus-sounding themes, and distorted vocal noises that fade in and out. Transitions between movements are quite herky-jerky, but remember: a lot of this stuff was arranged by slicing and connecting different sections of tape. I find it very hypnotic the way the music flows. "Meadow Meal", song number two, comes off the melodious ending of "Why Don't You Eat Carrots" with an array of industrial plinks and clanks, before evolving into a pastoral guitar melody, fierce rock, a brief episode of musique concrete (a storm), and finally a lulling organ spot. "Miss Fortune" (hee hee) would take up all of side 2 on the original LP. This is a strange one. Lots of effects and textures, interesting percussion -- very avant-garde and amazing. I wish I could describe it better, but my review title applies nicely here. Some other choice adjectives are: entrancing, remarkable, and pukka (yes, that's a real word).

With _ So Far_, the band applies their avant-garde style with slightly more conventional structure and weird pop hooks. You still get some very avant-garde stuff, like the primitive noise of "Mamie is Blue". On the other hand, there is also the pretty "On the Way to Abamae", just light acoustic guitar and an ethereal flute synth. "It's a Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl" takes a constant, tribal 4/4 drum beat and puts different instruments on top of it -- synthesizer, jangly guitar riffs, piano, saxophone, and a darn catchy vocal line. "So Far" is an amazingly groovy, smoky jazz shuffle. "I Have My Car and My TV" has a childish vocal introduction which cuts into a careless, brisk keyboard (or guitar?-- their tones are so weird and cool) line that is Evil-Catchy, overlain with guitar and saxophone solos. "No Harm" is amazing, from the heralding melody at the beginning to the bacchanalia of guitar jamming and the wildly crazy shouts of "Daddy take a banana | Tomorrow is Sunday". Uh, yeah.

These albums are amazing and timeless. If you have any interest at all in experimental music, you are insane not to have this. It is a deserving classic.

All right, enough from me. Hit the "Add to shopping cart" button now.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Here's what the kitchen sink sounds like......., February 3, 2001

By	"loveweird" (Fairview, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This band just didn't give a f*#k!! You will not hear many records that sound like this one. I have to hand it to Sony for putting this one out. This CD compiles the first two albums of Faust, released originally in 1971 & 1972. My personal favorite is the self-titled first one. It is anarchic, schizophrenic, surrealistic, intense and even melodic in places. The instrumentation is not your typical guitar/bass/drums lineup - it is much weirder than that. The emphasis is less on technique and more on imagination. It is one of my favorite albums ever. In a word, uncompromising. The second album, So Far, almost had what could be construed as "song-like" structures. They are NOT conventional "verse-chorus-verse" songs. "It's A Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl" starts with an unsubtle, pounding tom beat and doesn't let up for about 8 minutes. Some of the other selections start out somewhat normal but quickly morph into strange and disturbing explorations in sound. Yet some passages are oddly tranquil. I'm telling ya, this CD runs the gamut. Be prepared. There was no musical precedent for this when it reared its demon head in the early 70's. Somewhere, someone is experiencing the frightening and idiosyncratic aural world that is FAUST.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faust - 'Faust / So Far' (Collector's Choice), December 9, 2004

By	Mike Reed (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

In my humble opinion,this HAS to be the best 2-lp's on 1-CD released in maybe the past ten years.These two titles were previously available ONLY on some high-priced Japanese label pressing with each title,of course on a seperate disc.Total of twelve tracks and a duration of 74 minutes is what sort of aural pleasure the listener(s) are in store for.The first self-titled lp,'Faust'('71)has just three cuts and is intensely melodic but more than anything,just downright weird for the most part.Check out the freakish "Why Don't You Eat Carrots" and the 16-minute mind scrambler "Miss Fortune".'So Far'('72)is a bit more toward the like of a traditional lp.Tunes like "It's A Rainy Day,Sunshine Girl" and "I've Got My Car" is a fine example of how a band like Faust is able to change their tone from one album to the next.Suberb reissue of an essential classic full blown krautrock title that is a must-have.Will appeal to fans of Neu!,Kluster,Can,Harmonia and Silver Apples.