Faust Impressions (DVD/CD Set; German Rock)
DVD: Picture:
C Sound: B- Extras: C- Video: C
CD: Sound:
B Music: B
Coming out of the same cycle of German “Kraut” Rock as
Kraftwerk in the 1970s but not as well known, Faust is a formidable band that
created some very interesting music that was Rock, but also offered ambiance
sometimes akin to a radio drama. Faust
Impressions is a DVD/CD set that covers their music through 11 tracks from
1971 to 1994. We could consider that
the equivalent of a hits set, but the twist is that Zappi-W-Diermeier did a
series of video images to accompany the music.
Though it is a novelty, for the most part, it just never
works and is unnecessary. Too bad
footage of the band could not be dug up in the form of full-length concert
and/or recording studio clips, but the music stands up nicely and the CD
actually delivers slightly better sound in its 44.1kHz/16Bit 2.0 Stereo
presentation than the Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2.0 Stereo on the DVD. The tracks are:
1) D-machine (1984)*
2) Ice Rain (1972)
3) Breakfast (1971)
4) Waiting
For Eternity (1972)
5) Video
Skin (1973)
6) Desert (1994)
7) Component (1971)*
8) Listen (1994)
9) We Need
You (1984)*
10) Irena (1971)
11) Kraut (1974)
Those marked with an * are previously unreleased. This sometimes sounds like The Art Of Noise
in the best possible way, but the quality of the video collages are just tiring
very quickly and unless you like the Dolby over the PCM, is pointless to bother
with. One of the amusing extras is
Zappi-W-Diermeier’s explanations of his visual choices. I was not amused or convinced. However, some may enjoy them and there is a
nice pull out on the discs. There is a
strange 6+ minutes introduction that has the band with a guy in a polar bear
suit. It was the highlight of all the
video here.
Diermeier was an original composer of this material, but
only fans might be amused by the video.
Since it is a convenient set to have together, those who like good music
can decide for themselves.
- Nicholas Sheffo
