Julian Cope Presents Krautrocksampler

Krautrocksampler, published in 1995, serves as a guide to German experimental rock music from the late 1960s through the 1970s. Written by musician Julian Cope, the book catalogs and reviews key albums from bands like Kraftwerk, Can, Neu!, Faust, and Amon Düül II. The text combines historical context about post-war Germany with detailed musical analysis and personal commentary from Cope's perspective as both fan and practitioner. Through album-by-album reviews and band profiles, the book creates a framework for understanding the development and significance of the Krautrock movement. Cope structures the book as both a primer for newcomers and a deeper resource for established fans, including top album recommendations and a guide to collecting rare records. The writing style maintains an informal, enthusiastic tone while delivering substantial musical and cultural insights. The book examines how Germany's unique political and social conditions in the post-war period contributed to the emergence of a distinctive musical avant-garde, positioning Krautrock as both an artistic movement and a form of cultural rebellion.

Readers value this book as a passionate, personal guide to German experimental music that helped introduce Krautrock to English-speaking audiences in the 1990s. Many note the book's conversational, irreverent writing style and Cope's enthusiasm for obscure albums. Likes: - Clear recommendations for starting a Krautrock collection - Historical context and band connections - Subjective but informed perspective - Hand-drawn illustrations Dislikes: - Out-of-print and expensive to acquire (copies sell for $200+) - Some factual errors and misattributions - Focus on Cope's favorite bands leaves out many important groups - Writing can be chaotic and unfocused Ratings: Goodreads: 4.18/5 (170 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.6/5 (13 reviews) "Like having a knowledgeable record store clerk guide you through the genre" - Goodreads reviewer "Entertaining but unreliable as a reference" - Amazon reviewer

Our Band Could Be Your Life by Michael Azerrad This chronicle of the 1980s American underground music scene provides the same deep musical excavation and historical context for punk that Krautrocksampler does for German experimental music.

Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture by Simon Reynolds This examination of electronic dance music's evolution traces its roots through Krautrock and other experimental European movements.

Retromania: Pop Culture's Addiction to Its Own Past by Simon Reynolds The book explores music's relationship with its own history, including detailed segments on German experimental music and its influence on contemporary artists.

Future Days: Krautrock and the Building of Modern Germany by David Stubbs This comprehensive history of Krautrock expands on the groundwork laid by Cope's book with additional context about Germany's political and social climate.

Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation by Jeff Chang The book connects musical innovation to cultural revolution, much like Cope's analysis of how Krautrock emerged from Germany's post-war landscape.

🎸 The book, published in 1995, has become a rare collector's item and can sell for hundreds of dollars due to never being reprinted. 🎹 Julian Cope wrote the book in just 10 days while living in a tent in his backyard, seeking isolation to focus on the project. ⚡ The publication helped spark a renewed interest in Krautrock, influencing bands like Radiohead and Stereolab to explore the genre's sonic territory. 🌟 Despite being a respected music historian, Cope deliberately excluded bands like Scorpions and Triumvirat from the book because he considered them too commercial for his vision of authentic Krautrock. 🎼 The book includes Cope's "Top 50 Krautrock Records," with Faust IV by Faust and Tago Mago by Can sharing the #1 position.