Ludwig's Law

Conny Plank, Dieter Moebius, Mayo Thompson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 30, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Drag City
• ASIN: B00000G28K
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #426,802 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Mayo Thompson has led the Red Krayola through 32 years, countless different lineups, and stylistic shifts from freaked-out psychedelia to Marxist funk, but he's rarely chosen to step out from under the Krayola's umbrella. This collaboration, which was recorded in 1983 but remained on the shelf for 15 years, is one such occasion. The other participants were veterans of Germany's electronic-music scene; keyboard player Dieter Moebius has recorded with Cluster, Harmonia, and Brian Eno, while trumpeter and producer Conny Plank has worked with Devo, Kraftwerk, and Ultravox. The two Germans constructed Ludwig's Law's backing tracks using the emulator, an early sampler that enabled them to duplicate the other instruments without having to deal with the musicians who played them. The duo recorded a series of stately fanfares and brittle Talking Heads funk, over which Thompson narrated a series of skewed monologues about philosophy, art, history, and careless farmers. --Bill Meyer

Product Description

The Tren Brothers consist of guitarist Mick Turner and drummer Jim White, both members of the Australian instrumental outfit Dirty Three. With their move to Chicago, the Tren Brothers decided to hit the studio to lay down five tracks, recorded at Electrical Audio by Greg Norman. From the outset of this EP, the listener knows that the Tren Brothers have weathered many lands together. The delicate interplay of instruments shows a companionship that was established in their years of touring in the Dirty Three. Throughout the EP, shimmering guitar tones from the inventive Turner sprinkle along the broad landscapes, while the underrated drumming of White swirls and pulses at the perfect moments. The use of melodica and harmonica against occasional loops adds another dimension that always sparks at the appropriate time, as in "Gold Star Berlin" and "Away." While listeners may be used to the dramatics of violin in Dirty Three, the exclusion of the instrument seems to make this EP more powerful. Tren Brothers EP is a beautiful, epic affair that packs in adventure and longing in a short length of time. Highly recommended. ~ David Serra, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars early 80's insanity, December 2, 1999

By 

john knight (oberlin ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ludwig's Law (Audio CD)

This album was originally recorded in 1983, although it is only now getting released. Mayo Thompson rants like a cracked phillosopher who has had too much to drink. Moebius and Plank make cool, home-grown techno sounds in the background. Thompson doesn't really ever sing, he just makes proclemations. And his proclemations don't always make sense. Oh well - they are still enjoyable. The music is also vey good, and some of it is really quite daring, considering that it was made in '83. The overall feel of this album dictates that it isn't to be taken seriously. All the people involved sound like they were having a good time. And the fun rubs off on the listener, too. Pretty soon you, too, will find yourself smiling and tapping along.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun and funky and in English!, January 30, 2003

By 

Michael Thomas Roe (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ludwig's Law (Audio CD)

This is probably not a "seminal" work like Moebius and Plank's other effort "Rastakraut Pasta", or Moebius, Plank and Neumeier's "Zero Set", but it should indeed be essential to anyone who has interest in the German electronic scene. If only for the fact that it had such a long shelf life and it features the great Conny Plank, who is no longer with us. I'm happy to hear it done in English and "Taras Bulba" is a mightly slab of industrial-quirky-electro-metal greatness. As only Moebius and Plank can serve up. I would probably give this a 3 1/2, but 3 don't cut it. Don't miss this one before it is gone.