Search - Hans-Joachim Roedelius :: Durch Die Wuste

Roedelius' First Outing

DAC Crowell | 02/02/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is H-J. Roedelius's first solo effort, released and recorded between the periods of his group Cluster's "Sowiesoso" and "Grosses Wasser" albums. And as such, there are elements here that remind one a lot of both. The classicisms of the former can be heard in the shorter works, such as 'Glaubersalz' and 'Johanneslust', and the sprawling title track of the latter finds its precursor in the title track of this release. An intriguing effort, but perhaps a bit rough here and there in terms of recording quality and execution."

It grows on you

rubidium84 | Ft. Calhoun, NE | 07/27/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Roedelius' first solo record, which would start a string of around 40+ other solo releses. Strangely, this sounds more like a lost Cluster record than a Roedelius, for instance "Lustwandel", "Wenn der Sudwind Weht", etc. In parts, it sounds like Roedelius is simply "fooling around" in the studio's splicing lab (check out the bizarre vocal section in the middle of the title track), but all in all a very good album.
The only annoying song (IMHO) is "Glaubersalz" for two reasons: the really cheezy beginning which sounds like the "Ladyhawke" soundtrack, and the tempo of the song, which speeds up and slows down randomly and gets VERY aggravating at the end. But you can always skip over that track. The rest of the album is very good, especially the end of the 14-minute-long title epic; this part reminds me of Rick Wright's playing on parts of "WYWH" and "Animals"."