Are You Ready for NEU!? 50th An. Boxset vs German Original Pressing!

Germany
Neu! 50th Boxset amzn.to/3foLHFs
USA
Neu! 50th Boxset amzn.to/3fnonbs
United Kingdom
Neu! 50th Boxset amzn.to/3CbNeIa
For the 50th year of the release of the debut album of "Neu!", an opulently equipped anniversary box set will be released in 2022 on Grönland Records, on which one of the great cosmic bands from West Germany is dedicated to a critical-honoring work show.
Included are each of the genre-premiering first three albums, as well as the double album "Tribute", which features without exception spectacular cover versions and remixes by such fundamentally different artists as The National, Fink, Mogwai, Stephen Morris (New Order) and Gabe Gurnsey, Yann Tiersen, Man Man, IDLES and They Hate Change. Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip) and Guerilla Toss, in turn, recorded new tracks, quasi "inspired by", which fit seamlessly into this journey from the past to the present
Contents:
1. NEW! (White Vinyl Gatefold Cover)
2. NEU! 2 (White Vinyl Gatefold Cover)
3. NEU! '75 (Gatefold Cover)
4. TRIBUTE I
5. TRIBUTE II
+ 36-page booklet (12x12") & Exclusive NEW! Stencil (12x12")
michael rother krautrock conny plank klaus dinger kosmische musik vinyl community vinyl haul vinyl collection

[@JBLClassic]

I knew you were going to love the OG first album. There are excellent sounding records, and then there are mind meltingly amazing sounding records. This is one of them. The same goes for CAN Tago Mago OG German. It's so good, there is no possible way for it to get better. These are albums that in good condition, are like historic peices that are so incredible, it's hard to put into words. Another one I have that is unreal, is The Stooges S/T, US pressing. Insane stuff. Love it!

[@therevrockinrollin]

My Neu! 2 (German OG) is easily one of my best sounding records. It’s insane how good it sounds. Thank you Michael for this video and the great background of your fantastic city.

[@brucybabyy7355]

i love nue! to quote thom yorke. " they make me happy "

[@Daniel-hk3ru]

NEU ist so rhythmisch und perfort auf einer Party voller cooler Leute. Muss Düsseldorf irgendwann mal besuchen.

[@jeffbeamer9882]

Watched your most recent Krautrock video (original pressing vs reissue) which led me to track this review down. I was breathless waiting for you judgement and was happy to hear an "8" I just finished reading Kraftwerk: Publikation biography and (of course) there was a LOT of Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother mentions. Can't wait to order! Thank you for all the music you have introduced me to my fine German friend!

[@4-dman464]

11:15 "The blackness between the rhythm, between the drumming when you have these brief fractions of seconds of silence..." and 11:42 "The *air* in this whole cosmos of complex rhythmic music is breathtaking." I'm no audiophile but a few stylists have this same value in writing, where the aesthetic ventillates the space in prose. Kurt Vonnegut was a master at this, with simple punctuation - - sometimes single-sentence paragraphing - - line-spaces and graphic motifs between sections - - and refrains that work like sonar, where you sound out the course of the narrative by this echo between the first and next incidence of a refrain the way poetry also does. This makes writing contemplative, gives words resonance and the meaning has a ripple effect. Not a void - - there's presence in that space, mindfulness. Takes confidence and awareness to create that effect, because it puts the writing on the spot, it puts the music on the spot.

[@audiotomb]

US based JEM Imports used to carry German imports in the late 70s. Brian Eno was my gateway drug to Cluster, Neu!, Tangerine Dream and solo lps on Sky and Brain labels. Connie Plank had a huge stamp on this as well. Did you ever see NEU! in a club?

[@scmkar]

Great to hear you speak so passionately about one of our most important bands.

[@scmkar]

I already have Neu! And Neu! 75 but the stencil kills me, I need it haha

[@rachelsghost]

Very nice Michael. I appreciate the background information you provided... Hmmm... "Nice but dangerous" are you describing our beloved "Wax" 🤭

[@Michael45RPM]

not really one of those two lacks being a genious

[@rachelsghost]

LOL poor Waxed 🤭

[@seamuscolgan7654]

Neu! is absolutely essential 💚 I got into them back in the 90's after buying Julian Cope's book Krautrocksampler! If anyone asks me what my all time favourite song is, the answer is and will remain "Hallogallo". It's the song I have used countless times to introduce Neu! As far as I am concerned it simply perfection 👌

[@michaelt2469]

Picked up the LP and CD set. The CD set has NEU! 86, which the vinyl set does not have.

[@statictraveller]

I have loved Neu! and La Dusseldorf for 30 years or more. Wonderful music. Klaus Dinger was a borderline genius. His incredible originality, ability to express his city and great concepts with the seemingly simple rhythms and melodies nobody else has ever quite matched. A beautiful soul. Anyway, I love to see you talk about bands you are especially passionate about, Michael. Thank you.

[@brkly99]

I was fortunate to find an original German pressing of the first album in excellent condition this summer for 79 Euro. I agree it is fantastic sounding. I just received the box set, looking forward to compare as well.

[@BattManion1979]

Neu another star in the stellar blanket of krautrock approximetrical head music

[@TheGlawton]

Hey Michael - I have NEU! (75) on cd and really like it. Your impassioned review of the band is motivating me to pick up the box set once it's out but I'm not sure if I'll go Cd or vinyl? I'm a big fan of Kraftwerk and I've enjoyed Neu but now I must reacquaint myself with the band. So back to my CD player! BTW - it must be inspiring for you that these bands are from your home city of Dusseldorf. Very cool indeed. Thanks for your take as always.

[@Mono-Ton]

Good introduction into the history of NEU! Well done and another reason for me to go deeper into these OGs in my shelf. Grüße aus Nürnberg.

[@seekingathread]

Well done Michael! You've really been doing a fine job with your videos lately. For a while I only watched some now I'm taking them all in. Neu is an all time favorite. I'm tempted by the box but I have German originals on these so I'm good. Whoops actually a US original of Neu 1 on Billingsgate but Brains in the others. Incredible band and just iconic sounds. Glad they didn't put Neu 86 in there! Cheers Michael.

[@TRamone01]

Glad to hear the pride in Krautrock. I feel the same way about music from the Seattle area. Same pride. My collection has grown from Autobahn to include Can, Faust, Guru Guru, Amon Duul, and Neu. And Bowie's Trilogy too! Great video. Thanks.

[@BruceFrazer100]

Being from Canada we did not get exposure to NEU as much as we should have... However a co worker from Holland turned me on to them... love them.

[@markusberzborn6346]

I love Neu! and also the solo records by Michael Rother. Rother/Dinger was an explosive and inspiring combination, but they were bound to split as Klaus Dinger was reputedly not the easiest man to get along with. On the other hand, some Can member (do not remember who) once said that there must be some friction and collision of characters in a band to achieve a musically interesting result.

[@martinfarnworth6659]

Your passion for Neu! is great. I've tried and this feels like one of the few bands I "should" and want to like but don't quite get there.. Perhaps as it's quite a minimal sound which I tend not to go for.

[@onsenkuma1979]

In the early '70s I lived in a small city with a fairly large German immigrant population, and a lot of the restaurants and shops were operated by people of German heritage, including small record stores. Maybe for this reason they all had a good stock of German imports - including all of the Ohr and Brain records stuff (including Neu!), early Kraftwerk, Amon Duul etc. In '74 the average price for a new import German pressing was about $7.98 (I think I paid $8.98 for Tangerine Dream's 'Zeit' on Ohr)! I still have some originals in great shape, but I sold too many titles in the '80s for peanuts, basically. Ahhhhhh...to have a time machine to take me back to those shops!

[@Harrispilton22]

I’ve got the first U.K. press , which has a slightly different sleeve. I think I bought it for £3.00 in 1991 second hand, as no one else wanted it! The U.K. first press sounds amazing. Oh for a time machine, I’d ransack that shop now!

[@vinyljoe8861]

Thanks so much for turning my onto krautrock!

[@TheRdymek]

Received my package today as well delivered to Munich. Had to check your opinion right away ;)

[@ScottWalker-uw3rp]

Such an amazing band. I'm picking up this box set as soon as it's released on October 21st here in the states even though I already have all of the albums. That first record was a game changer for me when I first heard it about 30 years ago. I still listen to it regularly. Thanks for this Michael. Great video. More krautrock! Cheers!

[@redgePro]

I am a Can and a Neu collector since years…and yes, the german pressings are the best…i believe the represses of Neu are HighRes-Digital. Good, but not so good as the first germans, Conny Plank is great and its hard to beat him. And the Lacquer Cuts from/at Tonstudio Pfanz are mostly great. But sometimes the top end of Neu a could be a little bit clearer. Also, Michael Rother said in an interview that he's partly not 100% satisfied with Plank's work (he apparently prefers the current remasters).

[@rongreen1538]

Thank you for your insight into this band, I have their first record but didn’t know a lot about them. I must order that box set.

[@rastheike4329]

Michael you have a key function. Music historical. Pioneering. Stroke of genius. Different. NEU! Discover the previously unknown. I'm ready for that. ❤️Heike Rother and Dinger a really cool boys Formation from Gernany/Düsseldorf. The country where hardly anyone knew her. "Twisted", "Wrong".

[@papabear1417]

Excellent review. Never heard of them until you mentioned them a few months ago. On my Spotify playlist. Definitely worth a listen. Thank you. Bish

[@staggerlee6794]

Got my box set on Saturday. One of your Krautrock videos alerted me to Neu so I took the plunge. And I have to say you were 100% right. They are brilliant. Thank you for highlighting them.

[@Michael45RPM]

my pleasure!!!!

[@marksironi3324]

Listening to the first album in the background while your video is on; the electronic tracks are way ahead of their time. If you told me that La Bomba was done by Man Parrish in the early 80's I would have absolutely believed it. So reminiscent of early 80's electro.

[@marksironi3324]

Unsurprising that the OG sounds better. The problem as always with OG's is finding clean ones. One NM on discogs for $300, a few VG+ for ~$125 (plus shipping across the pond). And of course that's only one of the three albums. So spend $120 for all the albums at a slightly lesser copy vs a hell of a lot more for the reissues. And there are some albums I've bought OG's of 3-4 times before I got a really clean one; that gets painful when you are paying > $100 each time (speaking from experience as I've done exactly this before). It would not surprise me if the UK got a copy of the tape so they would be one generation removed. And of course a different mastering as well. My experience buying US vs. UK pressings of UK bands in that era is that frequently the UK's were better (but not always). For some releases it's quite bad, Jade Warrior for example the US Vertigos are awful compared to the UK Vertigos.

[@chriss6302]

Your videos & passion have got me delving into Krautrock, so, thank you Micheal. I will get this to learn more. Also ordered Ash Ra Tempel - Schwingungen (Vibrations, I think?) and will get some Can also. Unfortunately, little chance of getting originals in my part of the world.

[@chriss6302]

Also Micheal, I am a fan of FINK who does one of the remixes. have you checked him out? Try Sunday Night Blues Club Vol.1, or Resurgam.

[@LJMcG]

Mark E. Smith, Bowie, Iggy and your good self have all been blown away by Neu! I think it's time I dip my toe in. Where to start?

[@Michael45RPM]

this box is a very good start

[@LJMcG]

@@Michael45RPM I'll pick it up tomorrow.

[@awrogers3013]

Seriously Michael you need to do 75. It’s a absolute masterwork

[@SkippyVinyls]

Loved hearing your enthusiasm and love for Neu! I have been a fan for 25+ years. I have bootleg CDs from the 90s and recent vinyl reissues from Grönland so I won't be purchasing this box, although the remix albums look interesting.

[@cillyede]

I have them all I think. ❤

[@stefanwerner6676]

Hallo Michael, I always Love watching your Videos. Theres so much Passion, Love and Enthusiasm for music here that it‘ s a pleasure. Though stressing my wallet I always Look forward to the next Video…New! Never heard befördert, but I like ist. Greetings From Stefan

[@the-vinyl-dreamscape5084]

Beautiful set. I had it on order myself, but after seeing that the set did not include Neu 4, I decided to pass on the set. I already have the reissue from a decade ago and they sound really good. The Tribute albums are interesting and I listened to them today on my way back from work. Nice to hear a fresh take on the music. Thank you for showing your two originals. Difficult to come be these in the States, so I'll save my investiment and get copies of the originals. If you haven't heard 4, I'd recommend the offical release from a few years back. (There are a number of bootlegs that you should avoid). Not essential but enjoyable if you appreciate the first three.

[@2WheelsGood]

Love hearing about Krautrock and other none jazz and audiophile pressings. I like that stuff too, but am more interested in the weird/fringe/art stuff. I have the Harmonia & Holger Czukay boxsets and definitely want to pick this up. Thanks Michael

[@algerdurellflores1927]

Danke for the video Amigo 🤟

[@awrogers3013]

Dinger is one of the most underrated forces of music. His beat and approached changed music

[@davidlawrence79]

Thanks for the NEU! comparison video. Nice to hear some of the background story on the band!

[@futurescalling]

We can thank Conny Plank (RIP) for the "separation" on NEU! ... He was the master!

[@Michael45RPM]

He for sure was!!!

[@churchillsliver2259]

Thanks for bringing Neu to my attention, just streamed and love it 🎉

[@gratefultom4210]

Very fine review. Everything is right… I enjoy your enthusiasm and your competence in all cases... I like this style ans this way to get near to the music very much. High respect, Michael

[@ianmelville452]

Well that was an unexpected 24 hours. I watched your Bill Evans Riverside boxed set video intently. I hadn't ever listened to his music so I tried it via Qobuz which I think uses the old CD box set as it is in 16/44. I listened all evening and it was marvellous musicianship and great sound even from a CD quality. Unfortunately though I can't say I really loved it, just not my thing I guess, sorry. On the other hand Neu! that was outstanding (again via Qobuz) so I will have a think about tracking down the first album. I hope that you can let us know your special source in the UK soon as I am after an album I cannot find in a decent condition or at a decent price.

[@Michael45RPM]

as soon as possible... this is a big undertaking so give it some time please Ian

[@ianmelville452]

@@Michael45RPM I know, I know its just the excitement talking! Just got another big disappointment via Discogs today. How can a thing be called Mint with scratches and scuff marks on the record? Luckily it didn't cost a lot but come on...

[@petekutheis3822]

Still waiting for Amazon USA to give me an estimated delivery date. Oh I see--estimated now at the end of October.

[@MrLovell1971]

That comparison was awesome Michael love your Neu German press is beautiful hope you get the Neu 2 German press you are after take care . Lovellandrew

[@TheRollingStoness]

Faust...love that one with hand...I can imagine German OG always the best, not the xerox Re issues....Neu 2 Brain 1028 is expensive I think

[@lovbladkarl-olof3975]

There was a Neu! Vinyl box maybe 10 years ago. It was slightly different. White I think. Plus you did not have those remixes. I wonder if They sound different

[@jeffbeamer9882]

Perhaps this is a naive question ... but it seems that EVERY TIME you compare an album with the original that the original is ALWAYS superior. Is this true? and to be expected? Thank you for your review my fine Dusseldorf friend! I am going to go listen to NEU and see what they are all about!

[@Michael45RPM]

so far yes

[@oliviergeoffroy9823]

may be you should discuss about conny plank cluster harmonia ultravox .....a gifted producer isn't he ?

[@merlinthemagus]

I’m sure that the original German pressing of Neu II will sound spectacular. Interestingly if I cannot find an original copy of a record from its country of origin and the record comes from Europe I will buy the German pressing. Why? Because generally their pressings were excellent.

[@josemigueltrujillodiaz9123]

I'm lucky I got the 2010 box ;)

[@WilliamRaeWilson1977]

I love the first Neu! record. But haven’t been able to find a good copy or decently priced (here in Amsterdam). I think I may go for the box instead.

[@brkly99]

I found a decent copy at a shop in Alkmaar

[@therevrockinrollin]

This review is huge to me because US delayed

[@dazaaw]

Have you got the og Brain pressings? They've always been my grail records..the burning question is, is the music coming through on the reissue interesting, that's my test so i edge forward in my seat and really get into the emotion from the record.

[@tkffin]

Can’t understand this release. Is it not a rerelease of the last box set. I would imagine sound on previous box to be better if so. Previous sounded ok compared to OP but guitar seemed more back in mix on parts. I thought the recent kraftwerk releases extremely good Very close to original and beautiful packaging. I even bought them for my daughter. My opinion on this tho is I’d buy the previous box

[@audiotomb]

So this begs the question How would you have ranked this brand new boxset if you had gotten it 2 months ago before you started listening to original pressings?

[@viiinullviii3178]

For those who might be interested, we talk so much about tapes here. The true art of handling tape machines can be admired here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3Safqpuh8-fjq8

[@michelelamberti1327]

Lang lebe Düsseldorf

[@EMP698]

Michael, what do you think of Rother's solo stuff? And La Dusseldorf?

[@Michael45RPM]

This is great stuff too Enrique

[@EMP698]

@@Michael45RPM agreed. I love the box set of Rother's that was released a few years ago. Hopefully they will work on La Dusseldorf the same way

[@albertguffanti8414]

Is Neu a precursor to Stereolab (one of my favorite bands)?

[@Z-eb]

Stereolab were hugely influenced by krautrock bands like Neu ;)

[@Metranger-xd4bt]

Michael- Do you use anything special to clean your stylus? Just a nice brush? Have you seen those ultrasonic stylus cleaners from Flux-HiFi(Flux-Sonic) and Humminguru ultrasonic? Curious as to your thoughts if so. Going to look into Neu. Thx.

[@Michael45RPM]

sounds interesting i just have a good brush

[@tkffin]

I recently got an ultrasonic cleaner bout £40 an it seems to work really well. I looked through scope n cleanest I’ve seen. If you play older records it’s a hassle keeping stylus clean

[@DJWerkz]

Are these albums in the box set from the same 2001 masters released on Astralwerks? Labels and colored vinyl looks very similar. I have a Michael Rother solo album I really like called Esperanto.

[@kahlcasey583]

Hi can you do a review on - Nina Simone - little girl blue please 👍🏾 Is this record out of print with AP

[@AB_Deck]

Neither '73 or '74. Its Neu! '75

[@msc8666]

Can you help me, who is Conny Plank? ;-)

[@Z-eb]

Do you know why there are 2 different editions of neu 4 !? (And why was it ditched on this boxset?!)

[@Michael45RPM]

i have no idea Z eb

[@EMP698]

It was released by a financially stressed Dinger without Rother's approval, who thought it was not up to standard. So Rother does not have the interest on it, and I guess right's issues play a part

[@Z-eb]

@@EMP698 So the second version is Rother`s mix/version or just a re-issue ?

[@EMP698]

@@Z-eb not sure. I don't think so

[@Z-eb]

@@EMP698 Ah : NEU! 86' was reworked by Michael Rother with original master and multi-track tapes from July until December 2009.

[@awrogers3013]

Michael it’s not 7374, it’s called neu 75

[@awrogers3013]

Best of all.

[@seamuscolgan7654]

By the way Michael, did you know that you are mentioned in the latest edition of MINT MAGAZIN?

[@Michael45RPM]

no i do not know that.. wow thats cool you have a link?

[@seamuscolgan7654]

@@Michael45RPM Page 97, last paragraph. U have a copy?

[@seamuscolgan7654]

@@Michael45RPM In this edition they also confirm that Ash Ra Temple's self titled debut is definitely going to be reissued next year.

[@Michael45RPM]

no i dont ...

[@seamuscolgan7654]

@@Michael45RPM Do you use your Facebook account, or Facebook Messager?

[@awrogers3013]

Motorik beat

[@chrisdavies73]

Arguably what you are trying to say is it's sheisse compared to the original?😉

[@matthiasschairer6456]

Nur ok ist enttäuschend 😮

[@borealowl-r2x]

Propaganda is my fave Düsseldorf band. I don't like krautrock...