Times & Sounds: Germany’s Journey from Jazz and Pop to Krautrock and Beyond

by Jan Reetze, Hans-Joachim Roedelius (Preface)

This book is a journey – a ride through the depths of Germany’s modern musical At the beginning of the 1970s, experimental and progressive music in Germany developed far from the mainstream. Although few initially noticed it, it is now internationally celebrated as a cult phenomenon called „Krautrock“. Today, bands like Kraftwerk, Can, Amon Düül II, NEU!, Cluster, and Tangerine Dream are considered pioneers of groundbreaking sound experiments. In order to understand the Krautrock era and its impact, it’s worth delving deeper into the history of German rock music and taking a closer look at the overall picture. Times & Sounds offers a comprehensive insight into the mechanisms of post-war Germany’s music industry and sheds light upon its diverse musical styles, as well as their mutual influences and connections, which have received little attention until From the onset of German Jazz and Swing orchestras to the first Rock ‚n‘ Roll bands around Hamburg‘s Star Club and electronic synthesizer pioneers. From the intact world of Schlager to agitprop and left-wing protest songs. From the avant-garde compositions of Stockhausen and his presumed disciples of Krautrock to the Neue Deutsche Welle. This book is a journalistic diary tracing Germany’s dynamic culture from the late 40s to the early 90s. Those who take this journey experience the ups and downs of five decades, thus developing an understanding deeper than any other of the Krautrock phenomenon. „For experts, as well as newbies, in the krautrock field, this book does not only open up several new views for the first time, it presents a general overview of the big picture of rock music in Germany.“ Hans-Joachim Roedelius (Kluster/Cluster/Harmonia) „Finally, the whole story at a glance! Excellent!“ Hellmut Hattler (Kraan/Tab Two)

Genres: Music, History, Nonfiction, Germany

615 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2020

Reviews

[Jon Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this overview of the music scene(s) in 60s-80s Germany (not just krautrock) with lots of context and intimate details from someone who lived through the main portion of the book's focus. Most other overviews of krautrock in English tend to have far less context (being written by outsiders) and tend to end up being mainly comprised of chapters profiling the key bands of the era. I was glad to see the author instead weave the main players in and out throughout chapters focusing on different factors that had an effect on the music. Learned a lot. An essential read for anyone interested in krautrock. Maybe not the best place to start, but once you have read something like David Stubbs' "Future Days" to get your bearings this is probably the best place to expand your horizons.

[David Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly fantastic book that takes you on a journey through the history of post war German music.
My only complaint would be the unusual and glaring omission of the mighty FAUST.

[Bridger Fruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly valuable and centralized work that encapsulates much of the German music industry in the post-war era, delivered with insight and wit by an author that was directly involved in parts of it.

The personable and self-aware writing style in combination with beautiful graphic design makes for a particularly accessible read. I’d recommend Times & Sounds as the place to start for anyone interested in this cross section of music history.