SoundsXP reviews Faust single

Faust 
So Far/It’s a Bit of a Pain Play Loud 7”

Article written by Kev O - Sep 21, 2010
Faust’s 1972 single (their one and only) gets a re-issue, and a re-mix (by Hans Joachim Irmler, founder and current member), to coincide with the release of the Klangbad festival DVD (see separate feature).

‘So Far’ is an instrumental: a simple rhythm chugs along, a sax stabs away, guitars and synth wail in and out. It’s a mesmerising drone, that doesn’t sit still and never fails to please. ‘It’s a Bit of a Pain’ (said to be John Peel’s favourite Faust track) is another side of Faust: a gentle acoustic, piano-led ballad/song against which a noise momentarily intercedes and a piano tinkles and a fuzzy guitar trails away to the end. Both are sublime. Although nearly 40 years old these could be seen as historical [‘Krautrock’] curiosities and ones for the collection , but they sound fresh and modern even by today’s standards and a reminder as to how insipid much of today’s music is. Do yourself a favour and feed your head: get this.

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