GAS - Narkopop (Kompakt)

"From Ancient Greek ναρκόω (narkóō, “I put to sleep”); in terms relating to drugs, it is a back-formation from narcotics, which ultimately derives from the same source.

narco - Pertaining to stupor, sleep, or a state of unconsciousness."

It was never been easy to write about Kompakt records. Why? Because there is certain trigger in your brain, that responds when you sense that "Kompakt" marker. Like when you see that fast food chain "MCcsomething", and ultra famous water + sugar drink "Coke Cola". You know what it is. And you know it is good. As a label Kompakt wasn't first who tried to play the game of pop-consumerism and underground music, art and media, all under one roof, one banner. but they are only one who, in mine humble opinion made it. They were the first who walked that fine line and still walking.


        

But most of us wouldn't never hear or become the witnesses of super-global success of Kompakt if there weren't Wolfgang Voigt's GAS project. Voigt even said: " GAS is the vision of a sonic body between Schönberg and Kraftwerk, between French horn and bass drum. GAS is Wagner goes glam rock, and Hansel and Gretel on acid. GAS is there to take you on a seemingly endless march through the under woods - and into the discoteque - of an imaginary, nebulous forest."
I would not spend my time on writing the history of Herr Voigt and Kompakt, you can do it on your own. But have to mention GAS. try to imagine the sound of walking through the woods, and imagine the trees that making a symphony, that tree over there is violin, that tree is the trumpet, and so on. And of course there is conductor and compositor all in one person: Wolfgang Voigt. GAS changed the face of ambient music, it gave that wagnerian feel, that sense of epic and greatness - not a wallpaper or elevator music.


                           

When you hear previous albums like Pop, Königsforst, or Zauberberg, you will, I guarantee, you will see ambient music presented as a art form, or even it would transcendent the experience of "plain old records listening". It will push you more and more into the "forest".


                           


First of all I know my words sound so grandiose, and there is a fact that I am the fan (not the fan, but fanatic), and it all sounds like I want to sell you something, so hard.
No, just walk away. And when you find the right time, put Narcopop on, and you be the judge, like you always are. Like a guy who has listened GAS for some years, maybe the greatest difference between these records, is that simple, minimalistic kick-drum, but once melodies get into your nervous system it will become part of the "forest", like your footsteps when you walk. and that is another magic of this album, everything has its part, just like in opera, every step, word, sound... everything has its part and purpose. And here we have magic.

Maybe I didn't tell you everything i know, I didn't made strong point here, or maybe this isn't review at all. I just follow the old path through the forest...