The press release that accompanies Kreidler's latest in a long line of albums is rather perplexing, and focuses primarily on the recording process than anything else. Geographically separated, the four members divided equally in Berlin and Dusseldorf, the album was developed initially over three days of rehearsal ahead of five days in the studio recording, followed by a further three mixing.
Perhaps it's the distance between the collaborators that's a leading factor in the sense of dislocation that permeates the tracks. Sparse, repetitive and driven by analogue synth pulses atop steady, metronomic rhythms, delivered with what might be called a stereotypically Germanic efficiency. As with Kraftwek, and NEU! - with whom Kreidler warrant comparison - there's a clinicality, a sterility about 'Tank' that creates a sense of separation, of alienation, and as the tracks segue into one another, the effect only grows more pronounced. With neither vocals nor spaces, there's no room to get 'into' 'Tank', there's no room to breathe within the claustrophobic confines of this meticulously rigid album's robotic, mechanised structures.
The tracks do not build or ebb and flow: there is no clear punctuation, no drum fills, no refrains. Instead, motifs are endlessly repeated and unfold like a long straight road in a dream, immense sonic deserts, vast expanses of audio tarmac. There is nothing to differentiate any part of it, the landscape uniformly desolate. Yet there are subtle changes of mood and tone: 'Saal' is slower, more spacious, the bassline that creeps in around halfway through is both organic and surprisingly funky. It's back to the locked-in groove for 'Kremlin Rules,' which drives the listener straight down the autobahn to the ever-distant horizon.
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I can't think of an occasion that this album really fits: too rhythmic and blocky to be relaxing or background, it's the wrong tempo to dance to and too barren to be cerebral. And while it doesn't move the body, it's too detached to move or engage the listener emotionally. Yet for all of that, it's oddly compelling.
Kreidler Online
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