People have been tinkering with the hybrid of electronica and indie rock for a decade, but it took a metal band to perfect the formula. Weilheim, Germany-based band The Notwist released two albums of hardcore and metal in 1989 and 1992. By 1995, however, they had transformed into an indie rock unit that incorporated the experimental electronica of Oval with 12, a prophetic album that anticipated the blip-pop of Schneider TM and Arto Lindsay’s shimmering electro-folk fusions. Meanwhile, the infatigueable Markus Acher honed his electronica chops with Valerie Trebeljahr in Lali Puna, and formed the electro-jazz fusion ensemble Tied & Tickled Trio with brother and Notwist mate Micha.
The Notwist’s fifth album, Neon Golden is the sparkling result of everything they’ve learned in the flurry of activity. The album begins unassumingly on “One Step Inside Doesn’t Mean You Understand” with plucked and bowed strings, and Markus’ understated, serenely plaintive voice. Soon a whole slew of acoustic instruments are introduced, from clarinets, saxophones to exotic percussive instruments, along with electronic sounds, while still managing to sound spare and delicate. “Pilot” uses a more traditional indie-pop structure, the sort employed by New Order or The Sea And Cake. The catchy chorus and electrified beats are deceptively simple — close listening reveals layers of subtle details that make repeated listens endlessly rewarding. “Pick Up The Phone” features another winning vocal melody, this time with crunchy glitch pops and loops, the woodwinds sounding as if they were underwater. “Trashing Days” introduces a banjo of all things, and it somehow works with the judiciously placed Stereolab-like vocal chorus. “This Room” is another stunner, featuring pounding rhythms from Martin Gretschmann (Console), and a nod to Radiohead with vocals occasionally cut-up into a staccato riff. “Solitaire” gives plenty of space between the instruments and beats to focus on Markus’ enigmatically melancholy lyrics, his inventive phrasing keeping you hanging on every word. The songs just get better and better. “One With The Freaks” actually builds into a rocking anthem that compels you to shake your fists and sing along to the chorus, “Have you ever/Have you ever been all messed up, have you ever?” Guided By Voices should cover this in their encores. The album rides the peak with the more meditative “Neon Golden” a brilliant, gentle clash between Eastern rhythms and Kraftwerk. The lovely “Off The Rails” glides the album gracefully earthbound, concluding with another surprise, an honest-to-goodness love ballad. “Consequence” is driven by a simple piano melody and hip-hop inspired beats. It’s a perfectly beautiful song, leaving you, as the lyrics say, paralyzed, hypnotized, and in love with “the colour, the movement and the spin.” Forget the redundancy of “electro-clash,” Neon Golden shows how electro-pop can still sound utterly fresh, challenging and accessible.
