NOT ROCK
The Balanescu Quartet
Possessed
1992 | Mute Records
B+

In some ways, a string quartet tackling Kraftwerk songs seems like a relatively logical idea. Kraftwerk, and the krautrock movement they helped spawn, were heavily influenced by 20th century Classical music, especially Karlheinz Stockhausen. However, when you consider that the Balanescu Quartet has to attempt these songs without the driving, intense 4/4 drum beats known as “motorik” for its automobile-esque pulsing, explosive beats that more than anything else defined krautrock, the challenge grows considerably. Despite the lack of the steady backbeat, Alexander Balanescu and co. manage to transform 5 Kraftwerk tunes, along with 3 originals and a David Byrne composition, into a sublimely interesting and pleasant record.

What this record does for the Kraftwerk songs is reveals the classical underpinning and flips it to the forefront. Instead of the droning tones and backbeat getting the attention, the gorgeous melodies, usually obstructed, soar over the top of the arrangements. The covers blend in easily with Balanescu’s original tunes, all of which suggest a diverse musical pallet filtered down into the traditional quartet structure.
More on The Balanescu Quartet | Possessed

NOT ROCK
The Balanescu Quartet
Possessed
1992 | Mute Records
B+

In some ways, a string quartet tackling Kraftwerk songs seems like a relatively logical idea. Kraftwerk, and the krautrock movement they helped spawn, were heavily influenced by 20th century Classical music, especially Karlheinz Stockhausen. However, when you consider that the Balanescu Quartet has to attempt these songs without the driving, intense 4/4 drum beats known as “motorik” for its automobile-esque pulsing, explosive beats that more than anything else defined krautrock, the challenge grows considerably. Despite the lack of the steady backbeat, Alexander Balanescu and co. manage to transform 5 Kraftwerk tunes, along with 3 originals and a David Byrne composition, into a sublimely interesting and pleasant record.

What this record does for the Kraftwerk songs is reveals the classical underpinning and flips it to the forefront. Instead of the droning tones and backbeat getting the attention, the gorgeous melodies, usually obstructed, soar over the top of the arrangements. The covers blend in easily with Balanescu’s original tunes, all of which suggest a diverse musical pallet filtered down into the traditional quartet structure.
More on The Balanescu Quartet | Possessed