Mythos - Quasar. 1980 Germany

Mythos' first two releases (Mythos, Dreamlab) are classics in the Krautrock / electronic rock genre, but the next two albums were relatively mundane straight ahead hard rockers (though I've since reconciled with both). So I never bothered to check out their two 1980s releases on Sky, as I didn't think they'd amount to much (and, truth be told, Grand Prix didn't amount to much). However it turns out Quasar is definitely a creative effort, with quirky electronics and fast paced mechanical (and fortunately some real) drums. Stefan Kaske still sings in his ridiculous out of tune low voice, but is sporadic and fortunately buried in the mix. Some really great synthesizer work here, plus it's nice to see Kaske not abandon the flute, and he puts the instrument through many effects to achieve a cool sound. Innovative effort, unlike any other album really. Like a New Wave / Berlin School / Krautrock album. I personally think it's their best album after Dreamlab.

Ownership: CD: 2012 Sireena. Digipak. Historical liner notes and photos. These liners from band leader Stephan Kaske are quite telling. He's a techie geek! Most of the discussion revolve around the equipment he purchased, discussed in nauseating detail, along with his considerable glee that he didn't have to work with annoying bandmates anymore. Haha, spoken like a true cube dweller. He apparently missed his calling as an engineer!

Included as a bonus on the CD is one 10 minute collage of TV jingles and other such advertising music, that has been processed utilizing modern equipment and heavy dance beats. Not a good choice, as it belies the excellence and unique creativity of the Quasar album itself.

Former ownership: LP: 1980 Sky. Single sleeve.

After many years of holding back, I finally bought the LP of Quasar (2008), and was pleasantly surprised how good it was. I replaced it with the CD, a decision I do not regret*.

* - Reading some criticism about the CD mastering on RYM and Discogs. I was surprised to read this, since it sounds great to me. Further research shows the complaints seem to center around track 9 (light) and track 11 (heavy). No idea what the issue with track 9 is, sounds excellent to me. The music is not linear to begin with, so I think that criticism may be misplaced. Track 11 is supposedly distorted. Listening with headsets and I do not hear any distortion beyond the Moog being laid on thick, which by definition, could be considered distorted. In the same manner as the guitar is in heavy metal. At the very end of the song there's a tiny bit of wobble on tape. I'd have to hear the LP again to see where the discrepancies between the two are. Unfortunately there hasn't been any pushback to these harsh reviews, and I can't find anyone else making the same claims. I'm beginning to wonder if they just got a bad CD.

1//08 (first listen); 4/9/11; 5/9/12 (review / new entry); 12/27/24 (update)