Neon Golden was one of my favorite works of the new century. I still listen to it and appreciate its recombination of sounds and arrangements. It always sounds new, but also like something that was dear and important in a past life. Can't absorb the older stuff, but Neon Golden is the post-ironic masterpiece that Radiohead used to think they could make.


Two questions... I know that a new Notwist is coming out this year. What's the word?

Also, I heard a wonderful cut on the local college radio station that I waited to hear about, and the stammering stoned kid DJ rushed out something about a band called "If" who had the Notwist playing with them on the cut. Did searches and found nothing. Does this ring anyone's bell?

the band is 13 & God. The song is called "If"

13 & God = Themselves + The Notwist. It's boring sometimes, brilliant other times.

Lots of side projects -- Alias, 13&God, Lali Puna, Tied & Tickled Trio, etc.:

Notwist shop link

Not sure to which one you're referring.

Not sure about new release -- I hope so. I'll check through my emails (I'm on their mailing list) when I get home, if I remember...

I really liked your description of Neon Golden, but this statement:Which ones did you try? I agree that Nook and the self-titled one are mediocre at best, but 12 and Shrink are masterful.

Whoa. Alias is one dude. Markus just did vocals on one of the songs. Cmon now.

That's interesting... those are two I listened to... didn't dislike them, just disappointed given how I respect NG. Per your word, I'll check out 12 and Shrink.

What is RIYL on these folks? Damn, i wish Harry would post more; dude always comes with something.....

Big ups Harry!

Hard to pin down a RIYL, Notwist is kinda Krautrock with a lot of pop sensibility, and 13 & God brings more of an electronica hip hop feel. Neon Golden is an amazing record that I would recommend to anyone who likes music.

I'd go as far as to say that Neon Golden is my favorite album of the new century. I'd agree with Dusty---12 and Shrink are very good too.

I like the 13 & God album a lot as well (more brilliant than boring), but not as much as their solo works.

I'd also recommend checking out another Notwist-related band---Ms. John Soda. Specifically the album No P. Or D.

Hmm, dunno if I'd compare them to Krautrock, but you certainly can't miss the heavy German accents. It's good stuff, I agree, but I've gotta hunch it might come across as a little "light" and overtly European for some more rawk-oriented tastes.

A RIYL is kinda tough, but I do think there are a lot of groups that operate in similar indie-electronic-pop territory. Think Postal Service but generally slower and more arty (and much better, I'd say). Or if the Books were better at creating pop songs.

Scorpions!

i'd say riyl is along the lines of newer american analog set especially the "updates" ep. also styrofoam and the morr records crowd. i love them all.

c.

I would agree that Neon Golden is somewhere in the new century's top 25. It reminds me of Radiohead circa Kid A/Amnesiac, but that's kind of a lazy comparison.

13&gOD is ok, but it's sad to hear The Notwist on record and for it to be so inconsistent. I keep hoping to hear that they saved their best material for their new real album, because this is a big disappointment after Shrink and Neon Golden.

Neon Golden is somewhere in my top 20 this decade.

This is a perfect description. I was going to write a description, but my comparisons of Postal Service and The Books are written pretty much word-for-word here how I would peg them.

Well, he was looking for a collaboration...

i just got my hands on a bunch of notwist b-sides... so if any of you are interested, i'm zipping the file right now so i can ysi it. hit me up.

Alright, I remember liking Neon Golden very much, but I haven't listened to it in a while. I'll have to remedy this.