Husband and wife duo Tangemeenie stick it to the man with this self-produced prog-pop disc. An amazing amount of time has been spent not only crafting each one of these arty numbers, but in tweaking the overall aural presentation as well. The pristine production is worthy of note, as it belittles many over-budget studio recordings in the same musical league. On the immediate listening surface,
Faust is a lighthearted pop album that employs a variety of unusual electronic devices, the radiant harmonies of Steev and Lori and vague existentialist beliefs, wrapping them all into a loosely constructed concept album.
While the pop melodies will probably be the primary attention-getter, Tangemeenie's compositions are much more than three chord ditties. Tunes like "California" and "Invisible Hand" strains Stereolab through a Hawkwind-lite shaped sieve. "Energy" brings to mind Kraut-rockers Kraftwerk with its mesmerizing beats and ascending keys, while Lori's perfectly in-tune vocals send you down a contemporary-paved Autobahn. As Faust progresses, it twists its pop beginnings into a complicated mix of swirling electronics and odd-timed beats, until the CD's dramatic conclusion leaves you to wonder if this exceptionally talented band has perhaps subscribed to the Faustian myth and sold its soul for rock 'n' roll.
