Ash Ra Tempel - Inventions for Electric Guitar

1974 Germany

Review originally published for Gnosis on February 9, 2001. Version below edited on August 24, 2008.

After the relatively lackluster "Starring Rosi" (though still a very pleasant album), it was apparaent Manuel Göttsching needed a change. And thus began his purely solo career, though he maintained the full Ash Ra Tempel moniker for one more album. "Inventions for Electric Guitar" was a revolutionary album for the day and is still forward looking almost 30 years later. Creating a sound-on-sound electronic vibe using only guitars and tape loops, Manuel creates a beautiful tapestry of music that is at once intense and yet beautiful. He adds color with vicious solos while the guitar loops are bouncing in the background. Yet another brilliant work - and something entirely different. What a creative mind!

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