Krautrocksampler

Krautrocksampler is Julian Cope's 1995 guide to the German experimental music scene of the late 1960s and 1970s. The book chronicles the development of Krautrock through profiles of key artists and detailed examinations of landmark albums. The text includes chapters on influential bands like Faust, Tangerine Dream, Neu!, and Amon Düül, plus coverage of figures like Timothy Leary and producer Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser. A practical appendix lists and reviews 50 essential Krautrock recordings, serving as a listening guide for newcomers to the genre. The book has become a rare collector's item since going out of print, with original copies selling for substantial sums. Despite ongoing demand, author Julian Cope has declined to reprint or update the work due to concerns about factual accuracy. As both historical document and passionate fan testimony, Krautrocksampler captures a pivotal moment in music history when German artists forged a radical new sound from the remnants of psychedelia and the possibilities of electronic experimentation.

Readers appreciate Cope's personal, passionate writing style and his deep knowledge of German experimental music from 1968-1974. Many note his book introduced them to bands they hadn't discovered elsewhere. The informal tone and humor resonates with music fans. Common criticisms: The book's rarity and high resale prices ($200+ used) frustrate readers. Some find Cope's opinions too subjective and his coverage of certain bands too limited. Multiple reviews mention factual errors and a need for better editing. "It's like having an enthusiastic friend guide you through their record collection" - Goodreads review "Great recommendations but needed fact-checking" - Amazon UK review Ratings: Goodreads: 4.24/5 (127 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) Discogs: 4.43/5 (14 ratings) The book's out-of-print status dominates recent reviews, with readers debating whether digital copies should be made available given the prohibitive costs of physical copies.

Energy Flash by Simon Reynolds A comprehensive history of electronic music from krautrock through rave culture traces the sonic and cultural connections across decades of experimental European music.

Future Days: Krautrock and the Birth of a Revolutionary New Music by David Stubbs This examination of German experimental music from 1968-1977 connects the sociopolitical climate to the emergence of bands like Can, Neu!, and Kraftwerk.

England's Hidden Reverse by David Keenan The book documents the underground music scene of Coil, Current 93, and Nurse With Wound, linking their experimental approaches to the krautrock legacy.

All Gates Open: The Story of Can by Irmin Schmidt This dual-narrative biography combines Can's historical account with founding member Schmidt's personal archive to illuminate the band's creative process.

Kraftwerk: Future Music from Germany by Uwe Schütte The cultural history explores Kraftwerk's emergence from the krautrock scene and their transformation into electronic music pioneers.

1. 🎸 The book's rarity has driven its price to astronomical levels, with copies sometimes selling for over $500, making it one of the most expensive music guides ever published. 2. 📚 Author Julian Cope was not just a writer but also the lead singer of post-punk band The Teardrop Explodes and has recorded over 20 solo albums. 3. 🎼 Krautrock's influence extends to David Bowie's "Berlin Trilogy" albums, with bands like Kraftwerk directly inspiring his work during this period. 4. 🌍 The term "Krautrock" was originally used pejoratively by British music press, referencing the German word "Kraut" (a somewhat derogatory term for Germans), but was later embraced by the movement. 5. 🎹 Many bands featured in the book, particularly Tangerine Dream, pioneered the use of synthesizers and electronic music production techniques that would later influence genres like ambient and techno.