FAUST  

The Faust Tapes

 

1st UK Press 1973 

 VC501

Matrices: A-1U  B-1U

Thisis an auction for an upgrade/archive copy!!

Black & white 'twins' Virgin labels indicate Side One and Side Two without any track titles, some parts were specified on later reissues. Musicians are uncredited.
The cover has a 'fluted spine' (pinched at both edges).

Catalogue number variations:
VC501 on cover spine and labels
VC 5o1 on top-right of front cover Barcode and Other Identifiers Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, stamped, variant 1): VC 501 A-1U Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, stamped, variant 1): VC 501 B-1U Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, stamped, variant 2): VC 501 A-1U GM 1 Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, stamped, variant 2): VC 501 B-1U GM 1 Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, stamped, variant 3): VC 501 A-1U L 1 Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, stamped, variant 3): VC 501 B-1U GL 1

Cult German band Faust's third album was something completely unexpected: although the first LP explored new realms no other dared to, the second album was much more accessible, even if it still was pretty strange, and had tons more personality. 'The Faust Tapes' cost 49 pence, and it managed to sell very well thanks to this clever technique. Otherwise, due to the extremely experimental and alien nature of the music, it wouldn't have been no way nearly as successful.

Among the tracks, there are a few that have a relatively normal length and can be considered normal songs, that find themselves hidden in between the shorter episodes: 'Flashback Caruso' is a sincere psychedelic tribute mixed with the melancholic musical wanderings of Krautrock. J'ai Mal Aux Dents' is much more noisy and dissonant, a proto- Noise Rock piece for sure. 'Der Baum' is somewhat catchy, in it's pure innocence, even though highly repetitive, and has a very unique rhythms section. As far as the rest of the songs are concerned, their story has been told.
'The Faust Tapes' is a sincerely Avant-Garde piece of music that ought to be respected more, not only for it's bravery but also for being an authentic pioneer for genres like Drone music, Ambient, and many others, without losing the genuine Krautrock feel.(from: rateyourmusic.com)

Vinyl: EX++ to NM.  A sensational find as an UNPLAYED copy!!! A heavy vinyl with a super deep glossy sheen. I have played this in FULL twice over> The replay is ASTOUNDING!!! I first played for a general listen and a second time for a more detailed observation. Barely played or possibly unplayed as there are no spindle traces visible at all. No hairlines and not even any retraction traces. This is probably the best  ever copy you will find of this ultra rare album esp. as a complete package. NO marks, NO hairlines. NO skips, sticks or jumps. This is a heavy vinyl the way they used to make them before the oil crisis of the early seventies. It weighs in at a very respectable 150 gr. This must be an archive copy!!

Sleeve: EX+.  A nice white single sleeve without creasing. Design by "Bridget Riley".  The spine is 100% legible. the opening is still super crisp. Lightly yellowed with age. All edges are still superb, this has been kept very nicely for many decades.

This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon.

Though there are rarely ever any problems with my items, I always try my very best to describe everything exactly!  PLEASE REMEMBER to contact me FIRST,  if you have any problems at all, before you leave feedback and star ratings, so I get a chance to turn any negative experience into a positive one!  I can always happily sort anything out for you, if you let me know you have a problem!  This way no one has to leave Negative/Neutral feedback - and we both walk away happy! Similarly with the amount of stars, anything less than a full 5 * rating is effectively detrimental to a seller's rating as lower ratings will incur higher Final Value Fees  and lower priority in the bidlists eventually making it unattractive to list items on Ebay at all. I know of at least one major previous Ebay seller who has decided not to list via Ebay again. Please do NOT bid if you cannot give me at least 1 chance to sort everything out to your FULL satisfaction in the unlikely event of a problem.  Thanks again!!