There have been moments when I wanted to burn this album. Take some lighter fluid and toss a match, taking some comfort in the heat of the flicker. That’s too much emotion for Schwerkraft für Anfänger, the third full-length from Germany’s Der Neue Planet. It’s a perfectly serviceable instrumental psych/stoner thing, with a healthy appreciation for the ambient and experimental work the country excelled at in the ’70s. But I meant to write this review well over a week ago, and the constant delays caused constant repeated listenings, to the point where I can’t tell if the recurring motifs wore me down in a good way or exhausted me to ruin.
Whatever the case, it’s going to be a while before I listen again.
(I am definitely going to listen again)
There’s a reason I didn’t go with Bandcamp’s default track sample for Schwerkraft für Anfänger1; nice and airy as those math rock riffs are, the main of “Instabile Weiße Zwerge2” is simply repeating that arpeggiated figure over and over…and over again. Pretty in its many permutations and layers, but it wilts next to the muscular workout of “Galaktisch. Praktisch. Gut.3” Periods intentional. When the jam hits the middle mark, it begins to rage granny at a High on Fire show4 before sliding into a fantastic groove that reminded me of King Buffalo with more of a psych/prog bent.
Two brief segues aside, it’s the back half where Schwerkraft für Anfänger proves its mettle, with both “Alpha Ursae Minoris” and closer “Lirum Larum Lapidarium” using their heavier moments to push the softer passages through.
And to be clear: damn fine cover art, and a creative logo to boot. As it’s been a couple of years, I’m looking forward to hearing what Der Neue Planet have coming next.
- 1 Gravity for Beginners
- 2 Unstable White Dwarfs
- 3 Galactic. Practical. Good.
- 4 Apologies for the word imagery…I’m way stoned
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