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Forty years young as a band next year, Cluster’s venerability is not unique in terms of the movement they are most often associated with – the Krautrock scene of 1970s Germany, which was footloose, sincerely experimental and in many cases highly influential. Yet their synthesiser-driven approach to avant-garde rock, sometimes ambient and abstract to the point of being beyond ‘rock’ as it is generally understood, was at one time like pretty much nothing else in existence. Small wonder that Brian Eno, who also developed radical concepts of ‘ambient music’ in the 70s, sought out the duo of Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius for a series of collaborations.
All of which is a lofty legacy to live up to as Cluster, both members now of pensionable age, release their first studio album since 1995. Seventeen tracks long and requiring a hardy level of concentration, it won’t change the face of music, but given that these fellows have already played a part in doing just that, such a request would be unseemly. Qua is timeless in its lack of concern for the world outside the studio; save perhaps for some minor details regarding electronic technology, this could have been made at any time in the last two decades at least, and is no worse for that.
Pieces like Na Ernel recall, in circular fashion, the ambient/dub techno types whose ancestry lies in Cluster themselves; other tracks such as Putoil or Albtrec Com (the songtitles on Qua appear to be largely words of their own creation, as if the hermetic feel wasn’t already emphasised enough) are more playful, employing near-comedic burps of synthesised sound or chubby, lolloping rhythms. Percussion is often employed less as a rhythmic device and more as a kind of musical analogy for tolling bells, with the portent and unease that implies.
New arrivals at the gates of Cluster would probably be most sensibly directed to 1974 album Zuckerzeit, or more meditative turns like 1979’s Grosses Wasser. Time spent with this band in general, however, will make the contents of this worthy – if likely to be impenetrable for some – comeback album fall into place. --Noel Gardner
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
More than a few online reviews have given Cluster's first
release in fourteen years a bit of a chilly reception.
That Messrs Moebius and Roedelius have re-united in the
studio after such a long sojurn is absolutely fine with me !
It depends what you want from electronic music I guess.
These seventeen pieces distil the experience of almost
four decades of worthy collaboration into sumptuous
soundscapes of compressed and incandescent beauty.
The smallest among them achieve a sonic compression
akin (in language) to the Japanese tradition of Haiku.
Opening track 'Lerandis' is a tiny jewell of a work.
Coming in at under two minutes it leaves a lasting
trail in the ether depite its brevity.
The exotic is never too far away with Cluster.
Accusations of Teutonic formalism are unwarrantable
when listening to a composition as rich and heartwarming
as 'So Ney'. You can almost smell frankincence in the air!
So too with 'Flutful', another delightful miniature full
of mystical keyboard arabesques like a great bird soaring
among high mountain peaks. (Listen and believe!)
'Putoil' is a skittering, bubbling miniscule piece
of captivating weirdness. A door opening and closing
briefly on another world.
'Gissander' is a more substantial number. Temple music.
The chiming ostinato supports a fascinating 'conversation'
between the chattering high synth line and the denser,
darker harmonics mumbling away in the lower depths.
Final two tracks 'Formalt' and 'Imtrerion' are, together,
the highlight of the album.
The latter, in particular, is a haunting, dreamlike
composition full of strange, barely audible animal sounds
emerging out of a swirling white mist.
"Fanciful reflections" I hear you say.
The music created by these two iconic composers
has always invited-in and welcomed the imaginations
of those willing (or sympathetic) enough to follow.
It is so very good to have them back in action!
Essential.
release in fourteen years a bit of a chilly reception.
That Messrs Moebius and Roedelius have re-united in the
studio after such a long sojurn is absolutely fine with me !
It depends what you want from electronic music I guess.
These seventeen pieces distil the experience of almost
four decades of worthy collaboration into sumptuous
soundscapes of compressed and incandescent beauty.
The smallest among them achieve a sonic compression
akin (in language) to the Japanese tradition of Haiku.
Opening track 'Lerandis' is a tiny jewell of a work.
Coming in at under two minutes it leaves a lasting
trail in the ether depite its brevity.
The exotic is never too far away with Cluster.
Accusations of Teutonic formalism are unwarrantable
when listening to a composition as rich and heartwarming
as 'So Ney'. You can almost smell frankincence in the air!
So too with 'Flutful', another delightful miniature full
of mystical keyboard arabesques like a great bird soaring
among high mountain peaks. (Listen and believe!)
'Putoil' is a skittering, bubbling miniscule piece
of captivating weirdness. A door opening and closing
briefly on another world.
'Gissander' is a more substantial number. Temple music.
The chiming ostinato supports a fascinating 'conversation'
between the chattering high synth line and the denser,
darker harmonics mumbling away in the lower depths.
Final two tracks 'Formalt' and 'Imtrerion' are, together,
the highlight of the album.
The latter, in particular, is a haunting, dreamlike
composition full of strange, barely audible animal sounds
emerging out of a swirling white mist.
"Fanciful reflections" I hear you say.
The music created by these two iconic composers
has always invited-in and welcomed the imaginations
of those willing (or sympathetic) enough to follow.
It is so very good to have them back in action!
Essential.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Truly, an out-standing 21st century Cluster piece of electronic / krautrock / experimental (call it what you like) work. Better than I had anticipated. Total of seventeen well-written, produced and recorded tracks that more than prove Cluster (to still) be a vital force in the music industry. Tunes here that definitely did it for me include "So Ney", the out-there "Protrea", "Malturi Sa", the seven-minute "Gissander", the quite creative "Curvtum", the wonderfully cosmic "Formalt" and "Imtrerion". Personnel: Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius - musicians / players and cover art by Moebius and Tim Story. Only way that one could honestly ask for more is that if Conrad Schnitzler (R.I.P.) were still around to reunite with these two gifted pioneers in order to help the create a Kluster comeback CD, but of course that is now impossible. Nonetheless, 'Qua' is still highly recommended.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Simple Brilliance
2 July 2009
Format:Audio CD
I came into this album after only hearing a mite bit of what Cluster had produced in the 70's. I was immediately captured by their sound, as it was seemingly the beginning of the ambient/experimental music that I have been obsessed with these days. Upon first listening to their 2009 release, I am certain that these guys are some of the most important musical minds of the last 50 years (at least for me). It amazes me that Cluster has released such a unique album after all (and I mean ALL) of the years of writing music. I always thought that after being at it for so long, a "kraut rock" group was supposed to move on to New Age music! Apparently not these guys.
At first glance, the music in Qua felt to be like a minimal "world" music, but as I listen more and more, it is indeed very other worldly. It is atmospheric, to be sure, but beyond simple background music (a term that I have never been a fan of). The subtle textures developed through an immense knowledge of analog synths combines with very restrained percussive elements, and the songs tend to pulsate, inflate, and deflate rather than move from point A to point B. There is nothing more that I can say to describe the sound, but it seems to be very true to what the duo has always done, and that is record very innovative, provocative music.
Again, having known very little about Cluster when writing this review, I can at least say that as a fan of experimental music, as well as ambient, these guys get it. They have a very adventurous approach to music, and it really works. I find that with some experimental music, the songs seem to have little to say or accomplish. Much of today's avant garde evokes little emotion in me (it sometimes bores me to tears), and I have been searching for something much more lucious and dream-like. What a welcome album this is for me. I hope others will pick it up and enjoy it. There is just nothing else quite like it.
At first glance, the music in Qua felt to be like a minimal "world" music, but as I listen more and more, it is indeed very other worldly. It is atmospheric, to be sure, but beyond simple background music (a term that I have never been a fan of). The subtle textures developed through an immense knowledge of analog synths combines with very restrained percussive elements, and the songs tend to pulsate, inflate, and deflate rather than move from point A to point B. There is nothing more that I can say to describe the sound, but it seems to be very true to what the duo has always done, and that is record very innovative, provocative music.
Again, having known very little about Cluster when writing this review, I can at least say that as a fan of experimental music, as well as ambient, these guys get it. They have a very adventurous approach to music, and it really works. I find that with some experimental music, the songs seem to have little to say or accomplish. Much of today's avant garde evokes little emotion in me (it sometimes bores me to tears), and I have been searching for something much more lucious and dream-like. What a welcome album this is for me. I hope others will pick it up and enjoy it. There is just nothing else quite like it.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Qua's a Treat!
24 Dec 2009
Format:Audio CD
I have been listening to Cluster since the 70's and one cannot discount their influence on electronica music across the musical spectrum. Listen to bands like Mum. They've had a major influence on many including the inimitable Brian Eno as well. I was surprised to see a new album from these two musicians as it has been quite a long time.
If you are a fan of cluster I would say that you are NOT likely to be disappointed in this new collection of tunes. All their characteristic and unique approaches to sounds and compositional structure are there...updated with the various studio technologies now available with a computer and an iPod. Tim Story's production is spot on and he lets their creative juice flow forth.
What makes this so wonderful is Cluster still sound like Cluster and that quirky clock-not-working-quite-right approach to their music is still intact. The sounds sound fresh, unique and fun and it they create a unique sonic soup like no others. The album is a shining, intermittent LED flashlight on a rather bleak musical landscape signaling that there is still adventure and child like naivete to be had for those willing to take a listen.
If you are a fan of cluster I would say that you are NOT likely to be disappointed in this new collection of tunes. All their characteristic and unique approaches to sounds and compositional structure are there...updated with the various studio technologies now available with a computer and an iPod. Tim Story's production is spot on and he lets their creative juice flow forth.
What makes this so wonderful is Cluster still sound like Cluster and that quirky clock-not-working-quite-right approach to their music is still intact. The sounds sound fresh, unique and fun and it they create a unique sonic soup like no others. The album is a shining, intermittent LED flashlight on a rather bleak musical landscape signaling that there is still adventure and child like naivete to be had for those willing to take a listen.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Cluster - 'Qua' (Nepenth Music) 4 1/2 stars
5 Nov 2011
Format:Audio CD
First off I wanted to mention that it's inspiring to see that I am the fifth patron to review this independent-label released CD title. Truly, an out-standing 21st century Cluster effort. Better than I had anticipated. Total of seventeen songs that more than prove Cluster to still be a vital force in the electronic / experimental field. Tracks that did the most for me are "So Ney", the out-there "Protrea", "Malturi Sa", the seven-minute "Gissander", the quite creative "Curvtum", the wonderfully cosmic "Formalt" and "Imtrerion". Personnel: Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius - musicians / players and cover art Moebius & Tim Story. Only way one could ask for more is that if Conrad Schnitzler (R.I.P.) were able to reunite with these two to create a Kluster comeback CD, but that now of course is impossible. Still, highly recommended.
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